by Dawn Brower
She spun on her heels and stormed over to him. Before he could stop her, she snatched the glass from his hand. He thought perhaps she intended to throw the drink in his face, but she didn’t. Instead, she swallowed the contents whole and smiled wantonly at him. “You’re right,” she said. Her voice had an intensity he hadn’t noticed from her before. “It has a nice burn to it, but it’s special in an entirely different way.”
“How’s that?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
She set the glass down hard on a nearby table. Then glanced at him without flinching. Kaitlin licked her lips as if savoring the remnants of the brandy. “I wouldn’t mind having it roll across my tongue again. That headiness that flowed over my lips…pure pleasure.” She stepped a little closer and trailed her fingers over his chest. “That’s something I can’t say I’ve experienced with you.” With those words, she spun around and left him alone in the library…speechless.
Chapter 8
The afternoon sun streamed down over Kaitlin as she strolled through the back lawn. She hoped she wouldn’t cross paths with Shelby. She didn’t want to share any more barbs with him. He’d barely been at the house party a day, and he was already driving her mad. At least he’d skipped dinner and she hadn’t been required to endure his company through the meal. She might not have been able to keep any food in her belly. Now it was the next day, and she had a feeling he’d make an appearance, and in turn, do his damn best to cause her some sort of misery.
Servants were in the far back lawn of the Harrington estate, setting up several tents and preparing for the activities planned over the course of the house party. Marian had a lot of different games and sporting events prearranged for the entire fortnight. Kaitlin admired her cousin’s ability to organize everything and still find time to study her medical texts. Sometimes she wondered where her cousin found the motivation to do it all.
She strolled along the perimeter in an attempt to stay out of the servants’ paths. Kaitlin didn’t want to be a nuisance. A footman stepped in front of her, carrying a large wooden box filled with equipment of some sort. She tripped over her own feet in an attempt to avoid colliding with him. Someone steadied her from behind.
“Thank you,” she said as she attempted to catch her breath.
“Think nothing of it,” a male said. She glanced up and met the Earl of Asthey’s gaze. He was a handsome man with golden blond hair and ice blue eyes. “Anyone would have given you aid if they were in my place.”
“It was still kind of you to prevent my fall, so you have my gratitude regardless.” Why couldn’t Lord Shelby be this polite with her? He had been a complete arse in the library when he’d arrived. “My cousin has a lot of entertainments planned. Are you looking forward to a particular one?” She scrunched her eyebrows together. “I’m not certain what that servant is carrying.” Kaitlin gestured toward a man that had long paddle-looking items in his arms. “Are they for a boat?”
He chuckled softly. “I’m afraid not. Those are bats for cricket. I trust you’ve never seen a match?”
“I can’t say that I have.” She shook her head. “I have been told it’s quite amusing.”
“I prefer shooting to games of this sort, but I frequently played cricket when I attended Eton. It’s not a difficult game.” Asthey gestured toward the paddles. “Will you play when they set up a game?”
“Considering I don’t know much about cricket, it’s probably best that I don’t embarrass myself by trying.” Kaitlin hated having any attention on her. She’d much rather sit on the sidelines. It was much safer there. She could clap and cheer everyone on. She wasn’t sure how vocal she’d actually be. She’d probably slide into the shadows and observe everyone in silence. Lord Asthey didn’t need to know any of that though. “Will you play?”
“Most likely,” he replied. “Harrington and Shelby like to wager on the game. They’ll get Darcy here too. The four of us will split between the two teams and the victors will demand a boon of some sort.”
“Really?” she lifted a brow. That was interesting. “You have played this in the past? What type of boon is usually required?”
Asthey opened and closed his mouth several times. The earl was probably trying to ascertain the best way to reply to her inquiry. After a few moments he started to speak. “I wish I could impart details on our past wagers, but I’m afraid it would be irresponsible of me to deliver such information to an innocent lady.”
Of course he wouldn’t tell her. If she were being honest with herself, she never expected him to. Gentlemen have long made wagers and pursued wild activities. Their boons probably had something to do with drinking or loose women. Perhaps all of it combined. “Lord Shelby is already here. Do you expect Lord Darcy to arrive soon?”
Most of the guests were already in attendance, but Marian had mentioned at breakfast that there were still a few that expected to arrive later in the day. Lord and Lady Darcy were probably in the late stragglers.
“It’s my understanding that he’s traveling from his sister’s. Darcy and his wife are a distance away from here, but I suppose they all should be here today.” He nodded toward the many tents and the servants. “If you wish to learn how to play cricket, I’d be willing to teach you. We’re not having a match until tomorrow the earliest. Most of the equipment will be stored in the tents until we’re ready to play.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and considered his offer. Did she really wish to play the game? It might be interesting to learn, and if she wished to experience a game of cricket she’d be armed with the necessary skills. “I…” She swallowed hard. “I don’t do well with social activities.”
He tilted his head to the side and seemed to consider her confession. Lord Asthey smiled. “Come walk with me a bit.” He held out his arm to her. “I’ll tell you a bit about myself, and perhaps that will put you at ease.”
Kaitlin placed her arm through his and they strolled along the lawn. The servants that they crossed paths with dodged them with skill Kaitlin admired. He led her to one of the tents and they ducked inside. The earl let go of her arm and went over to one of the wooden crates. He pulled out a bat and held the handle end out to her. “Go ahead, take it.”
She reached tentatively for it. “What do you expect me to do with this?”
“Hold it for the moment.” He reached down and grabbed a second one. “When I was a boy at Eton, a day didn’t go by that I wasn’t teased in some fashion. When I was younger, I was quite sickly. Activity of any kind was a strain on my health. There were times my family believed I’d not grow to adulthood.”
“And they sent you away to school?” That was horrible. They should have kept him at home if he took sick so often. “Why would they do that?”
“Because all boys of good breeding went to an exemplary school. My father chose to send me to Eton instead of Harrow like he’d attended. I suspect because he was embarrassed by his weakling of a son,” Asthey explained. “I’ll never know for sure and I’ve digressed a little. There is a reason for me to explain all of this.”
“There is?” It was a rather personal story. “Why do you think I should know all of this?”
“Because you said you don’t do well in social situations. I wanted you to understand I haven’t always been able to immerse myself in a crowd. Even today I prefer my own company. My friends are the reason I bother with social niceties.” He smiled. “Cricket helped me acclimate in ways I never would have imagined. I’ll never love the game, but I do remember it fondly. Shelby is the one who nearly dragged me out on to the field kicking and screaming.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” Lord Shelby had audacity in spades. He did whatever he wanted, and to hell with the consequences. She learned that lesson about him the hard way. “Is that how you became friends.”
“Oh, we weren’t friends at first.” His smile widened into a grin. “I hated him, and when I was forced in front of the bowler and had to hit the ball for the first time, I imagin
ed it was his head.”
The more he talked, her interest in learning to play cricket increased. “I think I understand why you’re telling me this now. Cricket is a way to take out my aggravations without harming anyone.” She tilted her head to the side. “You’ve convinced me. Show me how to hold this thing properly.”
Asthey chuckled, raised the bat in the air, and then began her cricket lessons. He probably wouldn’t appreciate the fact she intended to imagine Shelby’s face when they started the next step of her lessons and she practiced hitting the ball. It was rather funny in a way that he’d done the same all those years ago…
Gregory wandered around the house in search of Asthey. He ducked into the library and perused the room quickly and ascertained it was empty. He stepped out and stopped short as his sister approached him. “There you are,” she said. “I wish to discuss something with you.”
“Not now,” he told her and brushed past her.
“Yes now,” she said petulantly and fell in step beside him. “This has to stop.” Samantha reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “Gregory,” she said softly. “Please.”
He had to find a way to evade this conversation. His sister rarely used his given name, and each time she’d done so hadn’t ended well for him. She wanted something from him, and he had a feeling he wouldn’t like it. Gregory stopped and let out a long breath. “I presume from your tone that whatever you have to discuss with me is important—at least to you.” Samantha wouldn’t allow him to delay the conversation. Not easily anyway… “But I really don’t have time at the moment. I have been tasked to find Lord Asthey, and he seems to have disappeared.”
Samantha narrowed her gaze. “You’re searching for Lord Asthey?”
Gregory’s patience was running thin. “I am,” he answered a bit tersely.
“If I were to assist you in locating him, then would you have a moment to spare me?” She lifted a brow questioningly, but her tone was curt. “I mean, if that wouldn’t be too much trouble for my busy brother.”
Clearly, he’d been neglecting his sister’s needs. Whatever those were… He’d have to rectify that oversight, and he was fairly certain she wouldn’t be happy about it when he did so. “Are you aware of Lord Asthey’s current location?”
“And if I am?”
Gregory cursed under his breath. “Would you be so kind as to impart your knowledge regarding Lord Asthey so I may go to his current location and have a much-needed conversation with him.”
“You mean like the one I wish to have with you?” Samantha asked.
He’d had enough of Samantha’s stalling tactics. Gregory could continue his search without her assistance. He took a step in the opposite direction of his sister and headed toward the back of the estate. “Wait,” she called out and ran to catch up to him. “We can talk while we look.”
“You implied you were aware where to find him,” he accused her. “Were you lying to me to somehow gain the upper hand?” Gregory was already on edge. A certain female had put him firmly in a foul mood by denying she’d enjoyed his kiss. Nothing would convince him she hadn’t found it pleasurable. The affronted side of him wanted to kiss her again and prove her wrong. To show her that she hadn’t been truthful. While the end of their little tête-à-tête hadn’t been the best up until its fateful ending, nothing but pleasure had been shared between him and Kaitlin. He wouldn’t allow Kaitlin’s barb to bait him then, and he would not let his sister lead him astray now.
“I wasn’t lying,” she answered. “I do know where he is, but I didn’t want you to disturb them.”
“Them?” He tilted his head to the side. “Pray tell, who is Lord Asthey with, and why would you feel the need to protect them?”
She shuffled her feet and glanced away. “You have this tendency to overreact, and Kaitlin…”
He saw red. Was his friend courting Lady Kaitlin? A sour taste filled his mouth at the idea of her with Asthey. She shouldn’t be with him. Did she hope that Asthey would offer her marriage? Was he the man she hoped to gain attention from? Kaitlin belonged… He shook that thought away before it could fully form. “Asthey showed interest in her before.” He hated admitting that much. “Is this your blundering way of telling me he’s resumed the idea of courting her?”
“I couldn’t say for certain,” she began. She tilted her head to the side and adopted a feigned look of innocence. It was ruined when her mouth twitched a little, and she attempted to hide her amusement. What the bloody hell did she find so entertaining? She tapped her chin lightly with her forefinger as if pondering a thought. “But I did notice him teaching her how to swing a bat for cricket. The servants are setting up some of the events for tomorrow.”
Cricket. The entire reason he was searching for his friend. They had to decide on the teams. Harrington had sent him to retrieve Asthey so they could organize it. “Kaitlin isn’t thinking of playing, is she?” He wouldn’t allow it. She could get hurt. Gregory didn’t give his sister a chance to answer the question. He spun on his heels and headed to where the cricket game would be played. When he found them, he’d knock some sense into his friend and chastise Kaitlin for her foolish behavior.
Chapter 9
Gregory stomped across the field toward Asthey and Kaitlin. Asthey held a cricket bat up to her. She tentatively placed her hand on the handle and took it away from him. Neither one of them turned in his direction. Samantha trailed on his heels but was having trouble keeping up with his long strides.
“Wait,” Samantha yelled. “You’re going to ruin everything.”
He certainly intended to. Gregory was going to stop it all before it had a chance to go any farther. What was Asthey thinking? He stalked forward, closing the remaining distance between them, and Kaitlin turned to face Gregory. She extended her arm straight with the end of the bat reaching his chin, making him immediately halt. Almost like someone brandishing their fencing foil and begging them to concede defeat. “Don’t take another step,” Kaitlin ordered. “I’ve learned a little how to use this, and I wouldn’t mind some practice on a larger target.”
She’d threatened him. Sweet, innocent, and often shy Kaitlin held a bat at his throat and was attempting to browbeat him, force him to bend to her will. Gregory might be a little sadistic, but he found it a little arousing. He’d be damn proud of her if he weren’t the target of her wrath. What the hell was wrong with him? He liked her even more for not being intimidated by him.
Samantha finally caught up with him. She reached out and placed her hand on the extended bat and lowered it from Gregory’s chin. “I understand the sentiment, but let’s not give in to our first impulse. My brother is difficult to deal with, but I doubt beating some sense into him will help much. He’s rather stubborn, and it won’t register in his thick skull what he’s done wrong.”
“I resent that,” Gregory replied mulishly. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Besides, he could be reasonable. Samantha’s description made him seem like an errant child.
Kaitlin’s lips tilted upward. She was beautiful, but that smile made him a little uneasy. “I’m aware of his faults. More than I’d like to admit.”
“Then you’ll go easy on him. He is my brother, so I’d rather not see him dead even if sometimes he might deserve it.” Samantha’s smile matched Kaitlin’s. The females of his acquaintance were ganging up on him. Samantha gestured toward the bat that Kaitlin still held. “How are your lessons on how to play cricket going? Do you hope to play tomorrow?”
“She’s not playing,” Gregory insisted. Asthey laughed. Gregory might yet hit his friend. “Why would you teach her?”
He shrugged. “It seemed harmless enough.”
Showed what his friend knew. “Harrington won’t allow it. If we let her play, then all the females will want to. If his wife gets the idea in her head to join in, he’ll have a fit. She’s enceinte.”
“Marian won’t put her baby at risk,” Samantha said. “You have no faith in a woman’s ability to make rational decisions.
” She shook her head and stared at him as if she were disappointed in him. It wouldn’t be the first time. He often frustrated his sister.
He ignored his sister’s remark. It was rare a woman acted sensibly, and he stood by his earlier words. Lady Harrington wanted to be a physician and had gone to extreme lengths to achieve that goal. Her actions proved that she could and would insist upon doing something that wouldn’t necessarily be a wise decision. She might very well make a fine doctor, but it was still dangerous for her nonetheless. Gregory believed Harrington was far too complacent with her predilections. He turned his attention to Asthey. “Are you done with your cricket lessons?”
“I was about to take her out and bowl the ball to her a few times. She finally has an understanding of a proper swing.”
Gregory raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. He prayed for patience, but was failing to keep his anger under control. “I cannot believe we’re actually discussing having her attempt to hit a ball that is bowled to her. Why would you consider it?”
“Because its fun?” Asthey suggested. “Or liberating?”
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Samantha said. “We should have a bit of a game.” She turned to Kaitlin. “Do you wish to make it more interesting? You’ve been quiet for a while now. I know you don’t like confrontations, and my brother is being ridiculous.”
“I’m all right,” Kaitlin said. “And I believe a game would be fun, but don’t we need more players? I thought each team had eleven. There are four of us, and we’re quite a few people short to make even one team, let alone two.”
“It wouldn’t be a true game,” Samantha said and waved her hand dismissively.”