Earl of Darling (Wicked Earls' Club)

by Maggie Dallen

  If this match wasn’t going to be beneficial for her…

  He ought to let her go.

  Pain lanced through his chest. The problem was that he loved her.

  He’d gone and fallen in love when they’d agreed to marry for a mutually beneficial arrangement.

  And that agreement was no longer beneficial…for her.

  He’d still get a lovely bride who’d help him with his sisters.

  And she’d get… a potential convict.

  All right. He was acting like Tabetha again. But she’d get a man who was tainted by an even larger scandal than Stallworth. That much was clear.

  Voices from the drawing room next to the study caught his ear.

  Evelyn.

  He‘d know the sound of her sweet clear voice anywhere, and he grimaced to hear it now.

  He’d miss the sound of her. His eyes closed as he tried to etch the particular tone, so like a bell, onto his mind.

  He’d have to tell her that her father had refused the match and then…

  Then he’d have to end their engagement not because he wished to but because it was best for her. Evelyn deserved a man who could give her a beautiful life, not one who was tainted by a past scandal.

  When he opened his eyes, he nearly started in surprise. She stood before him, a look of concern marking her brow. “Darius?” she reached up and gently touched his biceps. “Are you all right?”

  “The meeting,” he said, his head shaking back and forth. “It did not go particularly well.”

  She nodded and he knew that she knew. Then he rubbed his head. When had this entire affair gotten so convoluted and confusing? She wrapped her fingers about his upper arm, or she tried, and then gave him the slightest tug into the drawing room. “Follow me. We need to talk.”

  “We do,” he replied, clearing his throat. As awful as the conversation he’d just had had been. This one would be far worse. He hated to let her go. Everything inside him screamed to pull her close and keep her at his side...forever.

  But he’d do what was best for her. Come hell or high water. He was a man who valued duty and honor above all other traits, no matter how much it hurt him personally.

  Evelyn’s brother stood in the room, his brows going up at the sight of them. “Jacob,” Evelyn softly murmured. “Would you give us a moment, please?”

  Jacob frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Evelyn straightened, drawing up to her full height. “The door will be open. You can wait in the hallway.”

  He hesitated and then gave a quick jerk of his chin to acknowledge consent. “I’ll be just outside the room,” he cautioned as he gave Darius a hard stare.

  Darius flinched. He didn’t blame Evelyn’s family for their dislike, but it made this all the more difficult.

  The moment they were alone, Evelyn rushed into his arms. “Was my father dreadful?” she whispered. “I am so sorry.”

  He gave a small smile at her concern and he brushed a finger down her cheek. “Nothing more than I likely deserved.”

  She nibbled at her lip. “I doubt that. He’s not a warm and fuzzy man.”

  Her skin felt like velvet under the pad of his finger. “Then how did you come about your wealth of tenderness?”

  She blinked, a sad smile gracing her lips. “My mother.”

  Gently he cupped her cheek in his palm. “He refused our match.”

  “I should have known he would.” She pursed her lips.

  Darius frowned. “And you know why?”

  “The inquisition.”

  “Yes,” he muttered, the dull ache inside throbbing.

  “And because I am no longer beholden to Stallworth.”

  He drew in a quick sharp breath as those words sunk in. Now that he considered it, the termination of Evelyn’s first engagement had been implied in her father’s words. “You’re free of him?”

  She gave a tentative nod.

  If Darius had had any doubt, he had to let her go, it had evaporated with those words. She truly was able to find a better man than himself.

  “Which is why I have to end our arrangement,” she said.

  Those words, spoken so softly and sweetly were like bullets, each piercing his torso in pain. “I understand.”

  “It just isn’t fair…”

  “It isn’t.” He swallowed a lump, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he dropped his hand from her cheek. This might be the hardest thing he’d ever done. “It wouldn’t be right.”

  She continued talking but Darius hardly heard her as his chin tucked closer to his chest. Was it wrong that he wished to wrap her up in his arms and carry her off right this very minute?

  He’d held her like that on their first meeting, when she’d been dangling out the window. Her body pressed to his, her arms about his neck. He should have offered to help her escape rather than urging her to stay. Then he could ignore the inquisition, her father, the fact that this was the right choice...letting her go.

  “That’s why we can’t marry. It just isn’t fair to you,” she finished.

  He blinked several times, focusing back in on her face. He’d missed something critical. That was for certain. “Come again?”

  She paled and he realized he was scowling.

  He intentionally softened his features and once again touched her cheek. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  That made her soften under his touch. “You could never frighten me. It’s just those words were some of the most difficult to say and to repeat them…”

  “Difficult?” He really had missed something important. “It shouldn’t be difficult for you to say that my past is too scandalous for you to tie yourself to it. I completely understand.”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a small O. “That isn’t what I said at all.”

  He shook his head. Why had he chosen now, off all times, not to listen carefully? “What did you say?”

  “That I am a poor choice for you. That I am surrounded by scandal. That you need a bride who will lift your family up and add to your standing—”

  “No woman would do a better job of that than you,” he cut in and then wrapped an arm about her waist, pulling her closer.

  She fit against him like she belonged there, and he nearly groaned to know that soon enough he’d have to let her go. But he’d comfort her now because even worse than his heart breaking was her hurt.

  “Thank you,” she murmured. “But you’ve three sisters to launch. My scandal can’t tarnish their chances. I’d never forgive myself.”

  He stilled against her. “Just so that we are clear. You are ending our engagement not because of my scandal but because of yours?”

  She looked up at him with her warm brown eyes, her cheeks flushed with color, her lips soft and tempting. “The truth is…” She swallowed. “The truth is that I care far too much about you to allow you to ruin—”

  He interrupted again but he couldn’t hold back his tongue as his pulse jumped and his heart raced. “You care?”

  “I…” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips before she spoke. “Darius, I could never do anything that might hurt you. Even if it hurts me. I want the best for you. Always.”

  Those words, which so reflected his own feelings, tore through him. He ached with pleasure, with love, and quite without meaning to, he leaned down and captured her lips with his own.

  For a moment, she held still underneath him and then she kissed back, pressing her lips to his as her hands came to his shoulders.

  If he’d quickly swooped in, he slowly drew back and he watched her eyes flutter open, his lip parting in a satisfied smile. She looked...stunned. In the best way possible.

  “So then...you are not ending our engagement because of the inquisition?” he asked.

  “No.” Her answer was so quick and so vehement that his smile only grew wider. “You will be exonerated of all charges, I am certain of that.”

  “You’re ending our arrangement because it is no longer in my bes
t interest?”

  She flushed. “I am tainted by scandal.”

  “Of which you are also completely innocent.”

  She shook her head. “But you will suffer for it and I can’t have that.”

  He dropped his forehead to hers. “I don’t give a flying fig about Stallworth or what he’s done or what others think of you. To me, you are the most gracious and beautiful woman I’ve ever met and I would be honored to marry you, Evelyn.” He pulled her tighter to his chest. “It is my scandal that worries me. I do you an injustice if I make you my wife.”

  He felt her gasp even before he heard it. “So you are more concerned for me?”

  He couldn’t hold back the words any longer. “Of course I am. I am in love with you.”

  She stiffened in his arms. “But...but we had an arrangement based on mutually beneficial…” Her words tapered off.

  He grimaced, his forehead wrinkling against hers. “I know. And I’ve gone and complicated everything with a scandal and feelings.”

  “No,” she shook her head, her skin sliding against his. “You haven’t complicated anything. In fact, I do believe you’ve made this much easier.”

  “Easier?” he asked, pulling away to better look into her eyes. “Easier how?”

  “I thought you only wanted to marry me because I was good for your sisters. But if you feel the way I feel…”

  His heart skipped a beat. She loved him too? “The way you feel?”

  “I love you too, Darius.” Her voice was breathy and achingly gentle as her warm breath blew across his cheek. “I love you so much.”

  He couldn’t help it. He lifted her up and spun her about, kissing her again. Because if they loved each other. That changed everything.

  Or nothing.

  “Your father has refused my suit.”

  Her face was just above his and her eyes sparkled down at him. “I think I might have an idea.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Evelyn took one last look around her bedroom, making sure she had all she needed and that everything was in order.

  Cora wrung her hands together in the doorway. “Are you sure there is no other way, miss?”

  Evelyn smiled. “I am certain. But remember, Cora. All you must do is close the window behind me and tell anyone who asks that you haven’t seen me. Can you do that?”

  “Oh, yes, miss.” Cora nibbled on her bottom lip. “But your father—”

  “Is no one to fear,” Evelyn finished. “My brother knows what I’m up to and he approves. He will ensure that you are not blamed in any way, if the truth should come out.”

  Cora nodded. They’d been over this several times already, but this evening Evelyn was in such good spirits, she did not mind reassuring the kindhearted servant one last time.

  Because for once, there truly was no need to fear her father. Jacob was on her side. All he’d ever wanted was her happiness—of that she had no doubt. And soon enough she would be married to Darius, and when she was by his side...well, she had nothing and no one to fear.

  Certainly not her father.

  “Besides,” she said to Cora as she moved toward the window and opened it. “My father will come around soon enough. Once I am wed and Darius is exonerated he will be gloating to his friends about how his daughter is a countess.”

  And, knowing her father, he would not tell a soul that she had gone against his wishes. Because...how would that look? For her poor father, appearances were everything. These days all she could do was pity him for it. What a sad way to live one’s life.

  She shook her head as she bent over the sill to take a look at the drop below.

  This time, she grinned at the sight beneath her.

  Darius was standing just below, looking dashing and handsome as he waited for her to fall into his arms.

  She’d already fallen head over heels for the man, what was one more leap?

  Her dreamy sigh had him looking up and the grin that split his features made her heart clench with more joy than she’d ever thought possible.

  “Are you ready, my love?” he asked quietly. Her father and the servants were likely all asleep by now, but they’d take every caution just to be safe.

  She nodded. She was more than ready to marry this man, to be his wife, and to support him and his family through whatever came next. His inquisition. His sisters’ debut into society. She could hardly wait for this next chapter to begin.

  Cora fretted behind her. “Oh miss, it is such a distance to the ground. Are you sure you cannot go out through the back entrance?”

  Sarah laughed softly. “First of all, Cora, there is nothing to fear because my darling fiancé is standing right below and will catch me. And second…” She flashed the servant a wicked grin that she’d learned from Darius. “Where would be the fun in that?”

  And fun was one thing she meant to have. Fun, and laughter, and warmth, and kisses, and...perhaps even a family of her own one day, if they were so blessed. If there was anything her time with Darius had taught her it was that there was so much more to life than appearance...and she meant to explore every bit of it.

  “I’ll be right down,” she whispered to Darius.

  “I’ll be waiting,” he said.

  With a little help from Cora she finagled herself over the edge and let her feet drop down. She’d no sooner started to lower herself than she felt large, strong hands wrapping around her waist, plucking her easily from the ledge and setting her on her feet.

  She was still in the circle of his arms when she tilted her head back to see him smiling down at her.

  “At last,” he murmured in that lovely low, rumbly voice of his. “I was beginning to think this day would never come.”

  She laughed. “It’s only been three days since we came up with this plan of elopement.”

  He gave a little growl that made her shiver. “And that was three days too many.”

  He dipped his head and claimed her lips, the kiss a searing reminder of the formal vows that were to come and the oaths and declarations they’d already made to one another. When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with a tender affection that made her feel as though all was right in the world. Or that all would be right, at least, just so long as he was by her side.

  “No second thoughts?” he asked.

  She grinned. He was teasing, and she knew it. She’d never been more certain of any decision in her life. “You are the one who ought to have second thoughts. You could have an enormous dowry, a proper young lady with a spotless reputat—”

  He cut her off with another kiss that stole her breath along with her words. “Nonsense,” he said when he finally came up for air. “You are the only lady for me. There could never be anyone else.”

  She sighed with pleasure, leaning into his broad chest and reveling in the feel of his arms about her. “And for me, Darius, there could never be another—”

  “Are you two just about done?” Her brother’s hiss from the garden’s edge made her start.

  They both glanced over to see Jacob holding back a branch so they might slip out to the back alley where her brother had promised to have a coach waiting to take them to Gretna Green.

  Darius reached for her hand, guiding her before him as they slipped through the opening to the street beyond.

  “Could you not wait to manhandle my sister until you are married?” Jacob asked as Darius joined him and Evelyn beside the coach, which had indeed been waiting as he’d promised.

  Evelyn winced. She hadn’t lied to Cora. Her brother had agreed to this plan...reluctantly. While he did not share her father’s same concerns about Darius, he did not relish the fact that his sister was to elope, either. He’d felt certain that he could bring their father around given enough time, but Evelyn was out of patience. And besides, Darius and his sisters needed her support now. Not after he was exonerated.

  Once Jacob had realized she could not be swayed, he’d agreed to help, but it was clear he was still not quite pleased with Darius for going
along with her plan of running away.

  Darius did not seem to mind. A smirk tugged at his lips as he eyed her brother, who’d gotten carried away with his part in this endeavor, it seemed, by dressing entirely in black as though he were some sort of thief in the night and not the eldest son standing on his own property.

  Darius gave Jacob a look that swept from his head to his toes. “I realize I’m new to society but...is it common for barons to assist couples meaning to elope?”

  Jacob scowled. “Just as common, I imagine, as earls opting to elope rather than wait for approval.”

  Darius chuckled and reached a hand out to help Evelyn into the carriage. “Come, my love. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

  Evelyn paused and turned back to her brother, throwing her arms around his neck in an impulsive hug. “Thank you, Jacob,” she whispered.

  He squeezed her tightly in return. “I’ll tell Father you’re staying with friends for the time being.”

  She shut her eyes, overcome for a moment with gratitude. When her father learned that he’d been lying, Jacob would surely pay the price. “Thank you,” she said again. For she couldn’t think of any other words to say to express her gratitude.

  He patted her back awkwardly. Neither of them had been raised to be terribly affectionate and emotional moments like these were unfamiliar in the extreme. “I just hope you know what you’re doing,” he muttered.

  She pulled back and smiled up at him. “I promise you that I have never been more certain of any decision in my life.”

  His frown seemed to say he did not share in her certitude but he kept his mouth shut.

  She squeezed his arm. “I hope that someday you find true love of your own, and then I know you will understand.”

  He gave a little huff, a sound somewhere between amusement and disdain.

  She turned to take Darius’s proffered hand and let him help her in. He paused before following her inside and she heard him mutter, “I promise you, I will take good care of her.”

  She pressed her lips together, tears stinging the back of her eyes as emotions got the best of her. Her brother told the driver they were ready and Darius sank into the seat beside her as the coach set off, leaving London and her family behind.