by Diana Ballew
“Perhaps he’s a penniless count or something, and Alex is helping him out?”
“Nonsense, that sounds too fanciful, by far. Maybe he is a bastard. It would explain his haughty ways, if he had been gently raised.”
“Well, this tea is cold, and it’s growing late.” Lisbeth stood and shook out the wrinkles from her sky blue day dress. As was her nature, her thoughts flew from one subject to another. “Father is expecting the vicar for dinner, and you know the evening will end in a row if I’m not there.” Lisbeth’s father and the vicar were rivals in the local horse races. Invariably, their discussion would turn into a shouting match of just who had the better mount. “I shall come by early tomorrow so that we can ride and further discuss delicious Easton.”
Chapter 6
Although she had been thinking about him all day, Isabella didn’t see Easton until the evening meal. He was at his usual post, awaiting her at the bottom of the staircase, when she emerged from her room and descended the stairs. He looked much better now. His color appeared normal and, upon closer inspection, she could see that his eyes were no longer nearly so bloodshot. In fact, they positively sparkled with amusement and devilment.
“My lady.” He smiled and bowed to her, then surprised her by lifting her hand to his lips.
“Easton!” Isabella trembled at the feel of his warm breath on her skin. She snatched her hand away from his, shook her skirt with a snap and stomped past him. She had every right to be angry with him, and she wouldn’t let him spoil it by behaving gallantly. She would not succumb to his seductive eyes and knowing smiles. She most definitely would not! She could ignore these silly tinglings emanating from the spot where his lips had caressed her hand and that now ran up her arm.
“You look lovely tonight, my lady.” He reached out and opened the door for her, then bowed again. He grinned as he caught the glare she gave him as she marched past. “I do believe Cook has prepared one of your favorites tonight, my lady. Would you like to know what tempting morsels Cook has made for you?”
His breath stirred the loose tendrils of hair brushing her neck, causing her to shiver.
“I suppose I could wait and be surprised.” Isabella strove for a dry tone. He was toying with her, she was sure. What was his game? To humiliate her yet again? She heard him chuckle, a low, wicked sound that made her want to kiss him, heaven help her.
“No, I won’t keep you in suspense. He has prepared roast duck with raspberry sauce.”
If only there was a terrine of soup handy she could conveniently dump upon his head.
Isabella sat very still, since he was still leaning over her shoulder. It was tempting to throw her head back and possibly give him a bloody nose, but then she might ruin her dress and the deep violet was one of her favorites. It was equally tempting to lean back and lift her face to his, to touch lips with him. She sighed.
“Easton, do please direct the footmen to serve.” She felt a sudden sense of loss as he straightened and stepped away. She didn’t want to spend yet another night eating alone, yearning for the companionship of the handsome man who stood silently regarding her through hooded eyes. There would be too many lonely nights after he was gone. She wondered what it would be like to have him seated across from her, sharing the meal. Unconsciously, she tilted her head to one side, while she considered it. It was insane, outlandish.
“Easton, I realize this is quite absurd, but would you care to join me this evening? I do believe I heard your mouth watering as you said ‘roast duck with raspberry sauce’.”
There, let’s see if he dared to accept. She recalled her conversation with Lisbeth about the truth behind Easton and Alex’s interest in him. She could use this opportunity to see if he revealed anything. Of course, he wouldn’t dare accept, more’s the pity.
Would he call her bluff? There wasn’t a terrine of soup to be seen, after all.
“I would be delighted, my lady, to impose my poor self on you for this evening’s meal. Do you have a preference as to where I should sit?”
“No,” she almost gulped aloud. Goodness, what would the other servants think? She was too impulsive around this devilishly handsome man. What on earth had she been thinking to invite him to join her? And what the devil was he thinking to accept?
“You may sit where you will. It is of no matter to me.” Surely he would exercise tact and sit a good distance down the table from her? Perhaps not too far, though.
“Thank you, my lady.”
“Shall I pour your wine, my lady?” He waited for her nod, then filled her glass.
She realized he had no glass, nor even a plate. This situation was comical indeed.
“Oh, John,” Isabella called out. A small footman poked his head in the side door. “Do fetch Easton a place setting.”
There, that wasn’t so hard. John had barely gaped at her, his eyes only just bugging out the tiniest bit. She glanced at Easton, and gave him a nervous smile. “It shouldn’t be a moment.” Goodness, what had she gotten herself into! She had actually invited her butler to dine with her! She was definitely a candidate for Bedlam.
Both remained silent until an additional set of dishes was brought and the meal served by the astounded footmen.
“So my cousin, Lord Stapleton, and his friend are coming next week to take you back to London.” Oh, dear, that was a bit direct. Isabella stuffed a bite of duck in her mouth. She was really no good at subtlety.
“Yes,” he said softly.
“I would assume you are anxious to get back to your life there.” She couldn’t look at him. He was probably thrilled with the idea of escaping North Bindlefork. She began pushing the food around her plate with her fork. He undoubtedly had numerous women friends at home who were eager to welcome him back. They probably wouldn’t knock him down if he were to fondle their bottoms. It was too depressing.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here, my lady. I shall miss North Bindlefork tremendously.” He took a sip of the wine. “Perhaps you may wish to visit London one day, and, if you would allow me, I could take you to Gunther’s and buy you an ice.”
“Who is ‘Gunther’ and what flavor ice?” The very idea of going anywhere with him was enough to perk up her appetite. Her, go to London? It was absurd. She would be completely out of her element in the bustling city. Perhaps she could learn more about him by coaxing him to speak of things familiar to him.
He laughed. “Any flavor you desire, my lady. Gunther’s is a fine old establishment where many people go to enjoy treats. I often take my mother there on Saturday afternoons, when she chooses to reside in the city.”
“Oh? Do many butlers go there?” The potatoes were delicious, with just a hint of leeks and rosemary. She didn’t bothering commenting on the impropriety of an outing with a butler. Not while she was having dinner with one, certainly.
He chuckled. “I don’t really know, my lady. I shall ask Tilbot, when I get home.” He helped himself to another serving of the duck.
“Who is Tilbot? You mentioned him, er, before.”
“Oh, did I?” He frowned. “He’s just a fellow butler, my lady. No one of any consequence.”
Isabella nodded, but she had the feeling he was hiding something. “Perhaps he could come with us to Gunther’s?”
Easton nearly choked on a forkful of peas. “Well, I can certainly ask him, but I don’t think it’s his sort of place.”
She had had enough of attempting to be subtle. Obviously, it didn’t suit her. She was getting absolutely no where with the man. “Just how are you acquainted with my cousin, Easton?”
“Well, we met while out on the town. It’s a very tedious story, really. It isn’t even interesting dinner conversation. I believe the more interesting the table chatter, the better digestion one has.” He speared a thick piece of meat. ”Don’t you agree, my lady?” He popped the bite into his mouth, smiling while slowly chewing.
“I’m quite sure I don’t know anything about such a silly idea.” She picked up her glass, please
d that her hand didn’t tremble. “Would you be so kind as to pour me more wine, Easton?” He had very neatly sidestepped her direct question. Yes, he was definitely hiding something, and it involved Alex. She had five more days, at the most, to try to find out just what it was he didn’t want her to know. But, how to go about it? She had always received direct answers from her father on any subject she broached. She needed to ask Lisbeth what to do.
She studied the man as she sipped her wine and fiddled with her utensils while Easton finished his meal. He was a complicated fellow, to say the least. This need or desire to prevaricate was foreign to her. What would cause a man to be so duplicitous? What was he possibly hiding?
“Are you ready for some dessert, Easton?”
“I should like something sweet to taste, my lady.” Easton gave her a wicked grin and watched as she blushed, her hand shaking the barest bit as she set down her wineglass.
“Well, Cook has something for you, I’m sure.”
“Ah, of course. I’m being dismissed.”
“No! I mean, not in the least.” Oh dear. She really didn’t want him to leave just yet. It was nice having a dinner companion, even if he tended to be a bit outrageous and was hiding some secret. He looked dashing, even virile in the soft candlelight. She toyed with the stem of her glass. He was watching her, a vague smile hovering about his firm lips.
“Would you happen to play, my dear?”
“I beg your pardon?” His eyes were so very blue and warm. She could simply sit here and stare at him for hours.
“Music, my lady. Do you play any musical instrument?”
“Oh, yes.” She unconsciously bit her lip as her eyes went to his hands, which rested on the white linen tablecloth her great-grandmother had embroidered. They were very nice hands with long fingers. They had felt wonderful touching her.
“Would you play something for me?”
Her eyes flew to his face. That meant going to the drawing room, and that was much more intimate than the dining room, wasn’t it? It was one thing to impulsively invite your butler to join you for a meal, but wouldn’t performing for him be quite another?
“All right.” Goodness, this new impulsiveness was going to get her into trouble, she just knew. Serious trouble, unless she missed her guess.
Isabella nervously sat at the piano. She was all too conscious of him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, a sinful grin on his face. He was looking at her with such a devilish glint in his eyes she shivered with yearning.
“As I’ve never entertained a butler before, I don’t know what you might prefer to hear, Easton.”
He laughed, low and soft, and slowly sauntered toward her. “Whatever you wish, my lady.” His deep voice glided over her and she felt tingles alight her skin.
She began to play a French ballad, which was turning out well until her fingers stumbled as he came and stood behind her. She could feel the heat emanating from him against her back and it drove all thoughts of music from her mind. She desperately tried to concentrate on the piece, but it was useless. She was much too aware of him, of his maleness.
She tried a jaunty Scottish tune. That didn’t come out any better. Finally she stopped and settled her hands in her lap.
“I fear my playing is quite inept tonight.” She had only to lean back to make contact with his hard body. She wanted to do nothing more. His masculinity was a palatable thing and its effects drew her nerves taut.
“Not to worry, my lady. Your beauty more than makes up for any lack you may have in musical talent.”
That made her snort in a most unladylike way, jarring her back to reality. “Nonsense Easton, don’t be absurd.” Such practiced words, so meaningless.
“Too forward, my lady?”
“Too obvious, sir.”
“Obvious in flattery?”
“Too obvious a lie.”
“Now, you are being absurd.”
Annoyed, and a bit disappointed, she turned around as far as she could on the narrow bench and looked up at him. “Why is everyone suddenly trying to convince me of a falsehood, Easton? Goodness, I’ve lived long enough being plain to know what I am.”
How cruel of him to think to flatter her so falsely, to try to make her think he might actually find her attractive. She had hoped him above such deviousness.
“I beg to differ, my lady, but I feel that I, of all people, would know a beautiful lady when I see one. And I happen to be looking at an incredibly gorgeous young woman.” He reached down and pulled her up by grasping her arms. “Isabella, look at me.”
She tried to move away from him, but the bench was in her way. She bit her lip and shook her head, refusing to meet his eyes.
“My lady, if you doubt me, surely all those men of last night made it obvious how becoming you are.”
“Easton, please,” Isabella was close to tears. Was he trying to humiliate her? Why was he saying such things when they weren’t true? She knew she was an ordinary woman, with no hope of being thought a beauty. Why, she knew perfectly well those ridiculous buffoons from the ball had only been enticed by her ample estate and, perhaps, the incentive of her equally ample bosom. They weren’t truly attracted to her, not like she had begun to hope Easton was.
Gently, he stepped back and taking her hands’ led her out from behind the bench over to the sofa and eased them both down. He enfolded her cold hands in his warm ones and waited until she looked up at him.
“I am wholeheartedly serious, my lady fair. You may have been a plain child, but you are a beautiful woman.”
Isabella found herself wanting desperately to believe him, but it was folly. “Men are only interested in me for my money, Easton. Oh, goodness! I didn’t mean you, I mean, well, I don’t mean to say that you are interested in me, I . . .” Oh, dear, she sounded like an idiot. She tried to pull her hands from his grasp so that she could flee, but he wouldn’t let go. This was so utterly embarrassing. Blushing madly, she dared to glance at him and their eyes locked. Her pulse raced and her skin burned as she thought she detected wanting in his gaze. She watched his eyes flicker to her mouth. Her lips felt suddenly dry and she licked them breathlessly.
“But, truth be told, my lady fair, I am interested in you.” He began stroking her palms with his thumbs. “I really shouldn’t have said that, and I shouldn’t kiss you either, but I fear I am helpless to do otherwise.” He leaned toward her and captured her lips with his own in a tender kiss.
Isabella sighed and leaned into him. Her hands were suddenly free as he again grasped her upper arms, pulling their bodies closer together. He was kissing her as if he couldn’t get close enough. Isabella became lost in his embrace and brought her own hands up to encircle his neck. When he touched her like this, she could almost believe she was beautiful, at least to him.
Isabella didn’t know what was happening to her body, but it felt wonderful. She hoped he’d never stop. He was delicately nipping and then licking her neck and she wanted to be doing it to him. His finger, feather soft, traced a path between her breasts and she gasped at the intense jolt she felt in between her thighs. And then he actually touched her breast and she arched against him with a soft cry.
He buried his head in her neck with a moan before straightening and pulling her up with him. He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, then pressed her head down onto his shoulder.
“Good lord, you’ll do me in for sure. I didn’t mean to take it that far, my lady fair, but you quite stir me with your responses.”
“Is that good?” Isabella felt her brain slowly begin to clear. Goodness, he touched her and she simply melted. She liked it very much.
“Well, yes, certainly. However, for an unchaperoned young lady, it’s quite dangerous, as well.”
“I think I know what you mean.” Oh, my, she hadn’t thought of that. Her reputation would be shredded if anyone learned of this. She should not be alone with him again. No, she really shouldn’t.
“At least, I hope I’ve proved my
point. You are quite irresistible, my dear.”
She pulled back from his embrace to look at him. “I think you’ve given me much to consider, Easton.” She couldn’t help but grin. He’d said he actually thought her beautiful. Did she really have the power to overwhelm him, an obviously experienced man?
“I think I had best go to bed now.” She needed to think about this latest development between them, to understand what had transpired here tonight, if anything.
Just who was this man?
“I think that best, also, my lady. Thank you for this evening.” He kissed her lightly, then quickly stepped back.
Isabella left him there in the parlor and drifted up to her room to hopefully relive this surreal evening in her dreams.
Chapter 7
“Why ever are you grinning like a loon?”
The two young friends were trotting away from the manor house. It was mid-morning and the sun was shining down. Luckily, the heat of the day was still hours away.
“Whatever do you mean?” Isabella smiled wider.
“Oh, no, he’s been kissing you again, hasn’t he?”
Isabella’s response was to laugh and break into a full gallop, leaving Lisbeth to try to catch up. She pulled up when she reached the end of the long drive, and Lisbeth was soon at her side.
“What happened this time?” The blonde frowned. “He wasn’t drunk again, was he?”
“Not in the least.” She patted Dilly’s neck. She had to tell someone and knew she could trust Lisbeth to keep this bit of gossip to herself. “He did kiss me. He kissed me quite thoroughly, actually.”
“Any more bottom grabbing?”
“No,” Isabella gave her friend a shy smile. “Just lots of kissing and holding each other close. We decided it best to stop there.” She sighed. She hadn’t wanted to stop there. She resolved not to mention to the other girl how he had actually touched her bosom, and certainly not how incredible it had felt. “I asked him to join me for dinner.” She nudged her horse into a walk, and Lisbeth did the same.