by Claudy Conn
The earl chuckled.
“My lord!” she said and turned to eye him. “You nearly scared me half to death.” Her wrapper, which she had not bothered to tie, came loose, displaying her sheer nightdress beneath, and her sheer nightdress amply displayed her breasts. She should have hurried to close her wrapper around herself, but she found herself frozen in place.
“Did I? That was not my purpose,” he said coming towards her.
She saw he was clothed in a black brocade dressing gown. It was tied loosely, and his bare chest was amply displayed. For a moment, she stared. He was magnetic, and she was drawn to him.
His voice was low and husky as he moved in and took up the loose ties of her wrapper. “I don’t think, Kitty, that you should walk around the house with all your lovely assets on display.”
“I … I … didn’t know … anyone …” She moved back from him, as his touch sent startlingly shivers of anticipation through her body. The belt to her wrapper fell, and he bent to retrieve it for her. His face was an inch away from her belly, her waist, and as he slowly brought his head up, she felt his breath on her nipples, which were hard, taut, and yearning for his touch.
His hand was on her waist as he drew her to him, and she arched to his touch. His mouth closed on hers, and his tongue parted her lips and slowly invited hers to dance. She accepted, wildly, she accepted, and the kiss evolved into an erotic display of heat and desire.
His hand found and fondled her breast. He pulled the sheer material away to expose its fullness as his fingers flipped at her nipples. She felt her thighs clench, something that happened a great deal when she was near the earl. She could feel his manhood hard against her belly. She should run. She knew she should run. Gently bred maids did not lie with men before marriage. Gently bred maids … oh, but he felt right and good and heavenly. He had aroused her into wanting, and wanting became needing, and why shouldn’t gently bred maids enjoy what life could give them?
His lips traveled from her mouth, and his tongue flicked over her nipple before he began suckling there. She pressed into him. Oh, but this was beyond anything she had ever envisioned. The sensation was riveting, and an explosion of hunger swept through her brain, making her a fireball of need.
She whispered, “My lord …”
He groaned and pulled away. He stood straight and took another step back. “Forgive me. I am a cad.” He turned on his heel and marched out of the kitchen, and she stood feeling empty, lost, and trembling still with need.
He wasn’t a cad. A cad took what wasn’t offered, by any means available to him. He had not done that. He had stopped himself, in spite of the fact that she hadn’t wanted him to stop. He had not tried to seduce her—quite the opposite; it had been she, wanting, needing to seduce him. Oh yes, she knew who she was and what she was, and what she was, was in love with the earl.
She should follow him. She wanted to follow him. She moved like a puppet and found the milk she had come to the kitchen for. She poured a small bit and quickly drank it down.
She took the stairs and hesitated, wondering just where his room was, and then sighed and went to her own room. Well, she was certain of one thing. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. He seemed to have more control than she did. The notion made her smile to herself. She was in love with the Earl of Halloway, and tonight she had discovered that he might be leaning in that very same direction. All she needed to do was to bring him to a realization of it. He was a confirmed bachelor who would fight his feelings to the very end. Kitty smiled because she was willing to do whatever it took!
* * *
Kitty thought she would never sleep after her encounter with the earl. She did, however, fall right off as soon as her head hit the pillow and didn’t awake until a young chambermaid drew back the heavy ivory brocade hangings from her window, which overlooked the side courtyard of boxed flowers.
She squinted against the bright sun and demanded, “Oh, for goodness sake … what have I done?” She saw it was Bess, who she had been introduced to the night before, and asked as she tried to swallow away the dryness in her mouth, “What time is it, Bess?”
“Nine, miss.” The young maid bobbed a curtsy.
“Nine? Oh faith, nine? I am a wicked, wicked girl to sleep so long,” Kitty cried, distressed with herself.
“Bless ye, miss.” Bess giggled. “The morning has just begun. My lady won’t be up and about for another hour yet.”
Kitty laughed. “Decadent. My mornings usually start much earlier.” His face flashed before her eyes. The memory of his touch made her hot all over, and she looked away. She pulled on her wrapper, tied it tightly, and pushed into her comfortable slippers. As her maid poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her, she moved to her window overlooking the courtyard. All she could see was his face … his blue eyes … his hunger.
The bedroom door, already partially opened, opened further, and Nanny appeared. “Ah, you are up. I am so glad.” So saying she turned and waved her hand to someone hanging back. “Do come …”
Nanny stood aside to smile at a young woman who was neatly clothed in a quiet gray gown with a lace collar. The woman’s brown curls were cut short, and a lace mop cap adorned the top of her head. She appeared to be around thirty or so, Kitty thought, and as the woman blushed pink, Kitty went forward to say, “Oh … hallo.”
“This is Mrs. Wilson, Kitty. The dowager has just this morning appointed her to be your dresser, my dear,” Nanny explained.
“My dresser?” Kitty was astonished. “Well, I am very pleased to have you, as I will need help with some of the gowns I am expected to wear.” She smiled warmly to set the woman at ease. “Mrs. Wilson …? Ah, is that nice young man I met yesterday, in the kitchen with Cook, your husband?”
Mrs. Wilson bobbed and said, “Why, yes. Imagine that, you noticing and remembering his name. My John is the head groom, works under our Max, he does.”
“Lovely,” Kitty said and smiled. “Well, Mrs. Wilson, I shall be quite honest with you. I was a country hoyden, and while I find I have an eye for fashion … I shall depend on you to make certain that eye is working correctly.”
“Mrs. Wilson has a knack with a comb and scissors as well,” Nanny said brightly. “Come … sit by your mirror, and let’s allow her to find just the right hairstyle for you.”
The next hour was spent with lively conversation between the three women about Kitty’s hair and just how it should be styled. The result was quite exceptional.
Kitty had been clothed in a morning gown of pale green, its heart-shaped bodice trimmed with a single flounce of cream-colored lace.
She stared at herself in the looking glass, at the bouncing curls, which cascaded from the top of her head to the middle of her back, and then down to the matching slippers. She thought she looked like a fairy princess. “Oh my … is that really me, or have you done something magical to my mirror?”
Nanny and Mrs. Wilson laughed, and Nanny said, “That is you. It has always been you, child, hidden beneath your country dirt.”
“Nanny!” Kitty objected. “Dirt, indeed …”
Thus, it was with some glee and self-confidence Kitty entered the breakfast room a few moments later and saw the earl. She felt her entire world come to life as their eyes met.
* * *
The earl actually froze in place. He couldn’t tear his gaze away. He was momentarily bereft of thought and speech.
He already thought Kitty the most beautiful woman in the world … now, he was thunderstruck by the vision she presented. What was he going to do? He already wanted her to the point where he thought he might have to take up residence in his bachelor quarters and avoid being so near to her. Could he? Could he stay away from her?
He jumped to his feet, still staring at the way her gown hugged her perfect body, and this brought to mind the feel of her full breast in his hand. He would go mad if he didn’t stop thinking along those lines.
Yes, her gown suited her, and all he wanted to do was rip it o
ff, lay her down, and drive himself deep inside her. He wanted to possess her, every inch of her. He wanted … damn, what was wrong with him? He could never do that to her—he didn’t want to be married, and Kitty deserved to have everything, not just a part of him.
“Kitty,” he said breathlessly as he found his voice and rose to pull out a chair beside his own. “Allow me to say you are going to break hearts this Season, and what a charming gown. The color suits you.” He smiled at his grandmother, already seated across from him. “No doubt we have you to thank for her transformation.”
Kitty’s green eyes blazed at him. “Transformation? What then, was I an ugly duckling incapable of picking out a stylish gown?”
Minnie inclined her head. “Odd, that my charming grandson should start a conversation with such an unhandsome remark. So unlike you, Brandon. Besides that, Kitty was the one who chose this gown and quite a number of them. I saw at once that she has an eye and allowed her to use it.”
“Well … I did not mean …” The earl started to fumble. What was wrong with him? Why was he always saying the wrong thing to Kitty? Women never set him at odds with himself. This one was driving him mad. His body wanted her. His mind was full with her. His heart … ah, his heart was becoming all too attached. It had to stop. Was he trying to pick a fight with her? Was that it? Did he want her to dislike him and keep him at a distance because he was unable to do so himself?
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his grandmother looking at him with an odd expression on her face. What now?
“Brandon, sit, and pass the salt,” the dowager said taking control of the situation.
“Living in the country, you know, I think, gives a woman an eye for color and expands the senses,” Kitty said, sitting straight up.
“I am very certain you are quite right, my dear,” the dowager agreed.
“Does it?” the earl controlled himself from snapping. “Indeed then, expands the senses and dulls one’s—”
“Brandon,” his grandmother said sharply. “The salt, please, and while you are at it … one of those pastries.”
“Dulls the what?” Kitty demanded. “What does the country dull, my lord?”
“Tension,” the dowager said, putting a firm end to this line of conversation. “Now, Kitty, here are your eggs. We have a busy morning, so do please eat.”
The dowager proceeded to chatter about innocuous gossip.
The earl knew what his grandmother was about and chimed in, as he was acquainted with the nobles she was laughing about. He was, in fact, momentarily diverted to hear about their foibles.
“You are a wonder. I don’t know how you keep up with it all.” The earl laughed and threw her a kiss across the table.
She gave him a secretive smile and said, “What news have you for me?”
“As a matter of fact, I ran into your friend Henry Cope. He has just arrived in London from Brighton, and the sea air has not faded his wondrous array of colors,” the earl said on a chuckle. “He is as dazzling as ever. Sent all his fondest wishes to you, Minnie.”
“Henry? What a silly fellow. Where did you find him?”
“At White’s,” said the earl, glancing towards Kitty. “That is a gentleman’s club.”
“Yes, I have heard of it. We are not without news,” Kitty said, chin up.
He laughed at her. “No doubt my uncle often visited there when he used to stay in London.”
“Yes, he did and spoke of it quite fondly, in fact. White’s was one of the places he loved in London.”
Minnie leaned into Kitty and said, “The man Brandon is speaking of is better known as The Green Man, as that is his favorite color. He wears it often and in many shades.”
“Faith,” said Kitty, eyebrows up.
“And paints his face,” the earl said and grimaced. “I’ve also been told that he tries to eat only green vegetables and fruits.”
“Oh, why, that is absurd.” Kitty giggled.
“Yes, all for show and the attention it derives him,” the earl answered, looking at her and feeling as though his heart were twice its size. She was all that was good and beautiful, and he wanted to drop a kiss on her lips …
Danvers appeared and announced, “Lord Petersham.”
“Darling!” the dowager exclaimed and put both hands out though she remained seated.
The earl turned to smile at the middle-aged gentleman coming towards them.
He stopped by the dowager to take her extended hands and drop a kiss on both sets of knuckles. “Minnie, your people told me you were in the middle of breakfast but, I told them I would join you.”
The dowager motioned to the serving girl standing near the buffet table. “Bring his lordship some coffee, please, Bess, that is such a dear.” She turned back to her guest. “Sit beside me and give me your news. It has been an age.” She inclined her head towards the earl. “Of course you are acquainted with my grandson Brandon.”
The two men exchanged a greeting, and she said, “And this beauty is my grandson’s ward, Kitty Kingsley.”
He brought his eyes round to stare absolutely open-mouthed at Kitty before he said, “My word.”
The dowager nodded proudly. “Indeed.”
The earl’s brows drew together. All the world would now be told that the Earl of Halloway’s ward was a diamond. It was what they wanted, wasn’t it? All the ton would be at her feet … and she would receive marriage proposals …
That was what he wanted. Wasn’t it? The sooner the better? And if it was what he wanted, why the hell did he feel as though he were choking with rage at the notion?
* * *
“Charmed, my dear,” said Petersham, bending over Kitty’s hand.
Kitty smiled sweetly and motioned for him to be seated, which he did. He took out a lovely blue snuffbox, and Kitty, who had learned a great deal from her Uncle Edwin about snuffboxes, said, “Oh, that is lovely, my lord, and exactly matches your coat. My late guardian had a marvelous collection of De Louves snuffboxes.”
“De Louves, you say?” Petersham’s eyes were intent as he stared at her, and she opened her own eyes wide at his fevered response. “Never say so! Why, a De Louves is almost impossible to find. I have seen but two over the years.”
Kitty stalled the giggle in her throat. “Really? Well, I have one that Uncle Edwin gave me as a keepsake some years ago. Would you like to see it?”
Petersham breathed hard for a moment. “Indeed, my sweet Miss Kingsley. If it is not too much trouble.”
Kitty immediately rose from the table. “I will only be a moment.” She hurried from the room even as both the earl and Petersham moved to stand.
She found Nanny on her way up the stairs, and the older woman immediately began chattering about liking Cook so very much and having just had the most wonderful tea with Cook in the kitchen. She laughed and said, “Then you are happy here, Nanny?”
“Yes, dear, so very comfortable. Where are you off to?”
“To get Uncle Edwin’s snuffbox and quite make Lord Petersham’s day. So nice to be able to please him, as he is a good friend of the dowager’s.”
Later, after Petersham had left them, the dowager took Kitty’s hands and said, “My darling. Do you know what you have just accomplished in the twinkle of a moment?”
“No, what?” Kitty laughed.
“Petersham is highly respected as one of the beau monde’s arbiters of fashion. As such, his opinion, in all matters of ton, is highly respected. He left me praising you as not only a diamond but one with a sweet disposition. He said there isn’t another like to you in all of London.”
The dowager turned to the earl. “Do you know what this means?”
“I do, God help us. All of London will be wagging their tongues about our Kitty!”
~ Twenty-Four ~
THE DOWAGER HAD gone into raptures after Petersham had left them.
Kitty giggled, thinking the whole thing very absurd, but the dowager was convinced that Kitty would now be the talk o
f the town.
“You, my dear, have made your first conquest, and a better one I cannot think of.”
Kitty received a warm hug as the dowager turned to her grandson and exclaimed, “Wasn’t she wonderful, Brandon?” She then clapped her hands together and marched out of the breakfast room, saying that she and Kitty had a great deal to do. They, apparently, needed ribbons.
The earl had been, in fact, pleasantly surprised to find that Lord Petersham, who rarely bothered with ingénues, very nearly smitten with his Kitty. He knew he had felt a surge of pride in her and had questioned himself. When had he begun thinking of her as his? Why should he feel pride in her?
“It was brilliant of you to take the trouble and fetch him that snuffbox,” the earl said quietly, inclining his head.
Kitty frowned and said, “But of course I would show it to him—he seems very interested in snuffboxes.”
“I did not put that well. Forgive me. I meant that it was a happy circumstance that you had such a valuable and rare snuffbox, as Petersham’s collection is unchallenged.” He stood up and pushed away from the table. “Now, I must be off.”
“Must you?” Kitty said her voice dropping with her shoulders.
He bent, took her hand, and kissed her fingertips. His blue eyes met her green ones, and he said softly, “I have a great deal to see to … and a meeting with my solicitor, but I shall think of you while I am gone. Will you miss me?”
Her lashes lowered, and he found he couldn’t breathe. Why did she have such an effect on him? It was absurd.
“I shall. Boring business, shopping for ribbons and nonsense.”
He laughed and took her chin. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her so badly that he felt his entire body tremble with need.
“Ah,” said the dowager at his back. “You are still here. Good. I should like you to speak to Max for me, for if you don’t mind I think Kitty and I should go about in your chocolate barouche today. What say you, Brandon?”