She smiled at him. His heart fluttered at the sight of her grin. He could stand there, all night, looking at her. She was simply lovely. She tilted her head to the side.
“What are you thinking?” she asked. He smiled, pleased that she wanted to know.
“One more kiss,” he begged her.
“One more,” she agreed. They kissed again, this one lingering. They both pulled away, their eyes meeting. He placed his hand on her cheek, running his thumb over her skin. He then reached for her hand.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, my love.” He lifted her hand to his lips, enjoying how easily she blushed. He bowed to her gallantly. Susannah was queen of his heart. He was fully prepared to spend his life, leaving offerings at the shrine of her affections.
“Goodnight, Adam,” she said, curtsying. He watched her as she left. She turned when she reached the door, a small smile on her face. He stood there, in his lab, staring at the place where she had been. He had never been this happy in all his life. That she loved him seemed like a miracle, within itself. He could hardly believe it.
Chapter 21
Susannah caught glimpses of Adam throughout the next day. He seemed to be lingering about the house, trying to cross paths with her. It made her heart race. Each time, she was with Lucy, however. He passed them in the hall on their way to stock the fireplaces, and when he caught her eye, she could see what he was thinking.
Each look from him left her blushing. His eyes would capture hers, and then they would travel downward, over her. She felt so desired, pleased that such a gentleman would ever want the likes of her. It was a thrilling, teasing game, one which left her hungry for more of him.
When they passed him again, he caught her eye again. He smiled, his eyes softening at the sight of her. Susannah knew that she was blushing bright crimson. Her lips parted and she gasped. He winked at her, then turned and walked away.
Finally, when Susannah and Lucy were in his bedchamber, he walked in. Susannah froze. The desire to see him, to share a look, suffused her with warmth, joy.
“Oh,” he said, barely even pretending to be surprised. “Pardon me.” His eyes met hers. His eyebrow rose as he smiled at her. Susannah blushed, again. He held her gaze. This would be where…she would finally be alone with him. She was clutching his top sheet in her arms. She looked down, barely able to contain her smile.
“My Lord!” Susannah mumbled. “Do you need anything?” She raised her gaze, slowly.
“No,” he said. His eyes met Susannah’s. She could feel her blush deepen. She smiled back at him. She felt special, loved.
He loves me. He wants to marry me.
The weight of his promise, and the knowledge that he was going to keep it was joy beyond imagining. The only thing that she regretted was that her parents wouldn’t be able to share in her joy. Her father would not be there to walk her down the aisle, and her mother would not be there to help her with the plans. She would be all alone.
“I’ll leave the two of you to your work,” he said, turning to go.
When Susannah glanced at Lucy, she was frowning suspiciously. She should have known that Lucy would notice.
“What’s happened?” Lucy asked, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “Don’t think I didn’t see that, Susannah Humphries?”
“See what?”
“The way that he looks at you,” she hissed. “The way that you’re blushing. I’ve got eyes, you know.”
“He loves me,” Susannah whispered, ready to share her joy with her friend. “He’s asked me to marry him, last night.”
Lucy frowned even deeper, looking at Susannah as though she’d grown another head. “Are you out of your mind, Susannah?”
“No.”
Why can’t she be happy for me? After all, this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
“There’s no way that this can end well,” Lucy stated. “He’s going to—”
“Marry me,” Susannah stated firmly.
“You believe him?” Lucy’s doubt was evident by her scowl.
“Yes.”
Lucy sighed, a worried frown creasing her brow. She shook her head as she picked up the basket with all of the dirty sheets, and then walked from the room, muttering to herself angrily. “Lost your mind, I can’t believe—” After that, Susannah could hear no more.
Susannah put the fresh sheets on the bed by herself. She moved slowly and deliberately. This was where he would lay his head down. She thought, with pleasure, that he would be thinking of her.
She put the duvet over the top, her mind going to delicious thoughts of being alone with Adam. She imagined, kissing him, and not having to worry if someone walked in on them. They would be there, in this very bed. He would hold her, while she slept. Safe, in his arms.
Giving the duvet one last tug, she folded the bottom corners underneath the mattress. She then folded the sheets over the top. She tugged, until it was flat enough to bounce a coin on. The process went faster with Lucy.
She sighed to herself as she left the room. Susannah knew that Lucy doubted Adam. There was nothing further to be done. Only time would prove to Lucy that Adam’s intentions were good. Even Lucy’s concern wasn’t enough to ruin Susannah’s emotions. As she walked along the hallway, she felt reassured.
She’ll see. Adam won’t fail me.
* * *
Now that the invention was being tested at Windham Tobacco, Adam had nothing further to do. He spent the day wandering about the house so he could catch a glimpse of Susannah whilst she did her chores.
The last time he had walked into his bedchamber, Lucy had glared at him. He knew that she was beginning to suspect something. He had seen it in her glance.
I’m going to have to be a bit less obvious. Or else there will be too much fodder for gossip.
So, Adam had a leisurely luncheon, perusing the paper as he ate. When he was done, he went to the library. If he waited, then she would eventually come in. Those stolen moments with her gave him hope.
There came a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called, expecting Susannah. When he looked up from the book in his hands, however, Mr. Howard was entering.
“My Lord?” Mr. Howard said, bowing.
“Yes, Mr. Howard?” Adam noticed that his butler was holding a small silver tray, a letter on top.
“This just arrived.” Mr. Howard paused, holding the tray out to him.
Adam picked it up, seeing that the direction was in his father’s hand. He sighed, bracing himself for the news that it contained. He had no doubt that they were coming. It was all a matter of when.
“Thank you, Mr. Howard.”
His butler bowed and then left. Adam broke the seal, then unfolded the letter. For his father, the letter was shockingly brief.
Dear Adam,
Your mother and I will be in London on Wednesday. We will remain in town for the duration of the Season to help you to find a wife. We look forward to seeing you upon our arrival.
Regards,
Your Father
It was Wednesday. Which meant that they would be arriving at any moment. Adam shook his head. He set it down, on the table at his side.
Let them come. The sooner I can marry Susannah, the better.
The library door opened, and Susannah entered. He grinned. Her gaze went to him immediately. He stood up and they both ran toward each other. In moments, she was in his arms. He kissed her, his hands on her waist. She pulled away but remained close smiling up at him.
“I can hardly bear it when there are always other people around,” he whispered. At any moment, anyone could walk in on them like this. It made his heart race as he held her even closer.
“It’s always going to be like that,” she pointed out.
“Not always. Sometimes I will have you all to myself.” He placed his thumb on her bottom lip, caressing it with the pad. Her lips were lusciously soft. She beamed at him.
“I look forward to it.” Susannah was becoming bolder and Adam loved it. She was lik
e a rose slowly opening her petals, blooming before his eyes.
“Well, I’ll let you do the library,” he told her, kissing her temple. He nuzzled her hair with his nose. Her hair had a soft, feminine smell that caused his blood to warm. “I should warn you, my parents should be showing up at any time.”
She paled a little. “Oh?”
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. He had already thought about this eventuality at length and had come to only one conclusion. “I’m going to break the news to them slowly. By the time that you meet them formally, they will be prepared to welcome you to the family.”
She didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” He kissed her again, one quick peck. He then kissed her again, this time lingering. “I have to go and prepare Mr. Howard for the invasion.”
“All right.” Her face was drawn.
“Please don’t worry, love. I’ve got it all under control.” He was confident that they would listen. He had come to a new understanding of himself and what he wanted.
“I can’t help it,” she explained, folding her hands. “I don’t know how to be around fine ladies and gentlemen. Not to mention I don’t know how to act if they’re mad at me.”
“They won’t be,” he said. “They’ll love you.” Adam was positive that they would, as soon as things were properly explained, and once they had met her. He couldn’t imagine anyone meeting Susannah and not being enchanted by her. To him, she was everything that was good and perfect in the world.
She smiled at him. He kissed her, again, then whispered in her ear. “I love you.” It felt so good to say it. To finally tell her how he felt about her.
“I love you.” She said it with such confidence. It was intoxicating. If he didn’t force himself to go, then he never would, and his parents would find them both there, together. And Mr. Howard would be surprised by their sudden arrival.
Adam bowed to her, keeping his eyes on hers, then turned and walked out of the room. He felt confident that everything would go well. Adam didn’t think that his parents would stand in the way of his happiness. Not if he explained everything calmly and rationally.
He didn’t know if they would understand why he was marrying his maid…not at first, but he knew that they would eventually relent. Once they met Susannah, then they would see.
It’s all going to go well. I just have to stand up to my father.
That was going to be key. The Marquess of Wiltshire wanted his wayward son to act as a proper gentleman. He buried his hands in the pockets of his coat as he made his way down the stairs. He and his father had a long history of misunderstanding one another. He was going to have to get the Marquess of Wiltshire to look at things from his perspective.
* * *
Susannah was dusting the paintings in the foyer when Adam’s parents arrived. She was just finishing the one of Adam’s great-uncle. The man was dressed in a neat military uniform and seated on a large white horse. He looked a little like Adam—particularly about the eyes. She heard Mr. Howard’s shoes as they clicked on the tile floor.
Mr. Howard opened the door.
“My Lord,” he said. “My Lady, welcome to London. It’s been a while since your last visit.”
They entered in a flurry of rich fabrics. Susannah turned and looked, seeing her future in-laws in person for the first time. Lord Wiltshire was an imposing gentleman. About thirty years prior, he had probably looked very much like his son. Now, he was dressed in a somber frock coat and dark breeches. His boots shone.
Lady Wiltshire was the most elegant lady that Susannah had ever laid eyes on. Her dark hair, streaked with gray, was in a high bun. Her dress was blue silk with dainty lace edging the neck, and she wore three strands of pearls and her cloak, which billowed out around her, was a cream velvet with pure white ermine at the collar.
“Mr. Howard! Please tell my son that we’ve arrived,” Lord Wiltshire ordered, as he tugged off his black leather gloves.
“Of course, Lord Wiltshire,” Mr. Howard said. “Can I show you both into the parlor?” He didn’t get a chance since Adam made his appearance, which suggested that he had been watching from one of the rooms that overlooked Harrington Court Road.
“Mother! Father!” Adam said, his voice echoing in the vast space. When he entered, he glanced Susannah’s way. He beamed at her, then turned toward them.
“Adam!” his mother said, placing her hand in the bend of his elbow. She spoke with such tender emotion. Susannah liked her immediately, although she knew that this elegant lady might not approve of her.
“How was your journey?” he asked them.
“It was as well as can be expected,” his father muttered. Susannah could tell that he was the type of gentleman who always had his way. She feared him. He would never react to the news of their engagement with joy. He expected his son and heir to marry a lady. Not a maid. Her stomach twisted nervously.
Luckily, no one noticed her where she stood in the corner, her feather duster clutched in her trembling hands. In her maid’s outfit, she blended in with the dark hues of the oil painting behind her. Suddenly, everything seemed too real.
“Come, let us go and sit down,” Adam said. “Mr. Howard, if you could have some tea sent up?”
“Of course, My Lord,” Mr. Howard replied.
They all proceeded up the staircase, their voices carrying as they made their way down the second-floor hallway. Eventually, the voices faded as the parlor door was shut.
Mr. Howard noticed Susannah, standing and listening. She realized that she had been frozen in place. She swallowed nervously.
“Are you finished in here?” he asked, raising his eyebrow. He disapproved of idleness. It was something that he was always yelling at William, the footman, for.
“Almost.” Her hands were shaking, as she held the duster. Now that she’d seen them with her own eyes, she was even more nervous than she had been.
I don’t think fine people like that are going to accept me as a daughter-in-law. No matter what Adam believes.
“When you’re done, come down to fetch the tea things,” Mr. Howard said. “You can serve the guests.”
“Of course, Sir.” Susannah curtsied, then focused on her work, finishing running the duster over the gilt frames of the paintings. She could hardly believe that she’d just seen her future in-laws. They were unlike anyone she’d ever seen before, aside from Lord Wrentbour. She had an odd feeling about serving them.
Nervous. I’m nervous.
A whole swarm of butterflies were rioting in her stomach. She placed a hand on it in an attempt to steady herself.
She made her way downstairs, leaving her feather duster in the closet that contained all of the other cleaning supplies and implements. She paused, then looked down at her dress. There was a smudge on the pinafore. She scrubbed at it with one of her fingers. She then straightened it, tugging on the hem. She took in a deep breath, then let it out.
You can do this. You can serve them tea. They don’t yet know about you. Adam promised he would protect you.
“Here’s their tea,” Mrs. Larson said, putting the filled pot on top of the full tray beside a plate of hot scones. Three cups and saucers were on the tray. It was the good China, which was white with a silver edge. Susannah picked it up, making her way up the stairs to the parlor. When she entered, they were deep in conversation.
“I’m fine,” Adam was saying. “Truly.” As soon as the door opened, his eyes were on her. The corners of his lips curved upwards. The butterflies in her stomach did a frenzied flurry.
Her hands shook a little, causing the cups and saucers on the tray to make a clinking sound. She took a deep and steadying breath, letting it out before moving forward. She smiled, setting the tray down on the table in front of the settee.
At least I didn’t spill it on anyone. So far, so good. Now, if only my hands will stop shaking long enough to pour—
“Thank you, Susannah,” Adam said, breaking into her thoughts. She
curtsied, as she prepared to serve them. “That will be all for the moment.” Their eyes met, and she knew that he saw how nervous she was. She smiled at him gratefully.
“Very well, My Lord.” She had the feeling that he was about to start his introduction to her, right then. She left the room with a large measure of relief. The butterflies had yet to settle.
“Well, now that we’re here,” Lord Wiltshire said. “You can stop pretending that you’re starting a new invention.”
Lured Into Sin By The Wicked Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 17