The Danger in Tempting an Earl

by Sophie Barnes

  She sighed deeply and tried to concentrate on what the two gentlemen in her company were saying, except she was finding their conversation terribly mundane—­something to do with sheep breeding and agriculture. With a little bit of luck, Louise would hopefully notice her dilemma and come to her rescue, but it was an entirely different woman who eventually materialized at her side. “Lady Roxberry! What a pleasure it is to see you again. It’s been far too long.” She turned toward the two gentlemen, whose names she couldn’t even remember. “If you’ll please excuse me, I believe I’ll take a turn about the room with her ladyship.”

  “Yes, of course,” one of the gentlemen said, “though I do hope to speak to you again later. There is a rather . . . delicate matter I wish to discuss.”

  Silence reigned while she stared back at him, wondering what exactly he might be referring to. He shifted a little, looking mildly uncomfortable, and then it struck her that he wanted to ask her what five other gentlemen had already asked—­if she would consider becoming his mistress.

  Good heavens!

  Managing a polite nod and a “Yes, of course I’ll give the matter some serious thought” that didn’t sound too appalled, she took her leave and walked away alongside Lady Roxberry.

  “I imagine that it must be a bit like making your debut all over again, with all the attention you’ve been getting,” the old woman said with a glimmer to her eyes.

  “It is worse,” Katherine confessed. “There are certain things a gentleman would never dare say to an innocent, but give him a widow and he’ll happily whisper his every desire in her ear. I find it deplorable, really, and rather embarrassing.”

  Lady Roxberry laughed. “And yet I do believe it’s been a while since any gentleman has offered me such a proposition. I can’t imagine why, for I don’t feel a day over twenty, even though my looking glass keeps insisting I’m old.”

  Katherine smiled at her fondly. She’d always loved Lucien’s grandmother and her frank disregard for other ­people’s opinions. If there was a lady in En­gland who could cut straight to the heart of a matter before tea had even been served, then it was she, the bold and daring Lady Roxberry.

  “My dear,” the dowager countess was now saying. “Have you considered remarrying?”

  A shiver ran down Katherine’s spine at the very idea of allowing another man the right to lay his hands on her. “No,” she said. “I don’t believe another marriage is in my future. My focus will be on Sophia. There will probably be a few changes once my late husband’s brother arrives to claim his inheritance, though. My mother’s sister, as you probably know, is the Countess of Marlowe, and she has recently contacted me, inquiring if I would consider becoming her companion.”

  “I don’t believe she has any children, does she?” Lady Roxberry asked.

  “She does not, which makes the offer all the more appealing, for she has promised to offer Sophia whatever opportunities her own children might have had.”

  “Hmm . . . I suppose that does sound tempting, though I’m not sure how you would manage to include a lover in that scenario. However, if you chose to become someone’s mistress . . . ,” Lady Roxberry said in a manner that belied her scandalous suggestion.

  “I could never,” Katherine gasped. She knew the lady was forward, but to say such a thing in public was beyond shocking. Glancing warily about to ensure that nobody had heard, she said, “I don’t think it wise for us to continue this discussion here.”

  Of course, this was Lady Roxberry she was talking to, so she ought to have known that the subject would not be so easily terminated, and indeed it wasn’t. “Don’t be a prude, Katherine. You’re a widow with a child, not an inexperienced debutante. Surely you don’t imagine yourself alone for the rest of your days without a man to tend to your needs.”

  Good God!

  “I assure you that I shall be quite all right on my own,” Katherine said.

  Lady Roxberry turned her head and looked at her with those knowing eyes of hers. “You say so now, my dear, but you are young, and you deserve to be loved again.”

  Katherine began to shake her head, but she caught herself just in time. “Perhaps,” she said, hoping to placate the lady and put an end to the uncomfortable conversation.

  “But you are probably right to wait and take your time deciding what you really want for yourself. In the meantime, I am hoping to get my grandson settled, though I’m having a difficult time ascertaining what he wants. The two of you have always been close friends, of course, but that’s neither here nor there, considering the keen interest he’s showing in Lord Rockly’s daughter, Lady Julie, this evening.”

  Katherine stilled. “I’m sure the two of them have only just met.”

  “Oh, indeed they have, but only because Roxberry specifically asked me to introduce him to her. Of course I couldn’t say no, though I can’t help thinking that she’s not the right match for him.”

  Something fierce and protective began to unravel inside Katherine, and she simply couldn’t stop herself from saying, “I’m sure he will come to that realization on his own. After all, he is hardly a fool. I trust him to make the right decision when it comes to choosing a bride.” She could scarcely believe that rushing into marriage with a woman he didn’t really know was something Lucien would be able to accept in the long run.

  Lady Roxberry waved her jewel-encrusted fingers nonchalantly. “My dear, Lucien is the heir to an earldom, and as such, he will do his duty come what may. Now, he and Lady Julie may have little in common, it’s true, but since he specifically asked me to point out this year’s most desirable catch, I do think he’s paying attention to pedigree. There’s no denying that Lady Julie is of good breeding, not to mention beautiful and a delightful conversationalist to boot. I have no doubt that she’ll become a magnificent woman with time.”

  “It seems so superficial of him though—­completely out of character,” Katherine said. “Forgive me, my lady, but I find it difficult to believe that he would consider marrying a woman whom he barely knows.” She found it nearly impossible to keep an edge of bitterness from her voice. What on earth was wrong with her?

  Lady Roxberry gently patted Katherine’s arm. “Unfortunately, my dear, how well he knows the lady is of little significance when compared with her ability to produce the heir he needs.”

  Katherine halted her progress and turned toward the dowager. It was a hard truth to face—­the aristocratic obligation to procreate no matter the cost. Making a brilliant match was always of greater importance than whether or not the parties involved were capable of getting along with each other. It was absurd!

  Katherine sighed. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. This conversation had made her feel dismal. “It just seems rather rushed,” she confessed, “and so unlike Lucien, who’s always given a great deal of thought to even the most trivial of things.”

  “Well, war can have a life-altering effect on a man. With everything he’s lost, I do believe the only thing on Lucien’s mind right now is building a future so he can leave the past behind him.”

  “Yes, of course,” Katherine said as her eyes darted toward the terrace doors. She wasn’t ignorant of the effect war could have on any person. Lucien had changed, and she was suddenly alarmingly aware of just how much. The innocent playfulness of his features had been worn away and replaced by hard lines—­a silent account of all the horrors he’d seen—­and there was something harsher about the way he spoke. Yes, when circumstance required it he could shove it all aside and pretend that he was still the same carefree person, but one would be a fool to ignore the pain and anger that surely gripped his soul.

  But for him to throw himself away on a woman he’d only just met, just because he believed she’d make a suitable countess . . . It wasn’t jealousy that washed over her. No, that would be ridiculous. She was just concerned for him and the choice she feared he might make.
An urgent need to see him, to speak with him and advise him, assailed her. “If you’ll please excuse me,” she managed to say to Lady Roxberry, “I don’t feel quite myself. I believe I’m in need of some fresh air.”

  “I have some smelling salts if you think that might help,” the dowager offered.

  “Thank you, but I believe I’ll be fine once I get out into the garden.”

  “Then I will accompany you,” Lady Roxberry said. “It’s the least I can do.”

  Appreciating the old lady’s proposal, Katherine gave her a grateful smile and said, “How kind of you to offer.”

  Chapter 4

  “Have you loved her for a very long time?” Lady Julie asked with marked curiosity while she and Lucien posed for the sketch artist inside the pumpkin carriage that was sitting on the lawn.

  “Longer than I’m willing to admit,” Lucien replied.

  “In that case, I wish you every bit of success. Love matches are rare among our set. I’d like nothing better than to have played a part in making one happen.”

  “You are very kind to say so, my lady. I will wish the same for you, though I must warn you that the gentleman whose attention you seek may be in need of reformation first.”

  Lady Julie gave a small chuckle. “I may be young, my lord, but I am not naïve. Mr. Goodard is a notorious rake, and I am well aware of that. However, I have every confidence that he will come up to scratch if the right woman comes along to spark his interest.”

  “And I suppose you have every intention of being that woman?”

  “Well, that goes without saying, does it not?”

  Lucien couldn’t help but smile. If there was one thing his current companion didn’t lack, it was confidence and determination. “You sound very sure of yourself, Lady Julie.”

  She turned her head just enough to look him in the eye. “That is because I believe that a task is best accomplished if you know that you are capable of doing it.” She returned to her pose and added, “If you believe you are going to fail, then you’ve already given up before you’ve even begun, in which case there’s very little point in trying at all.”

  Lucien blinked. It was as if a very old and wise woman resided within Lady Julie’s youthful body. “Mr. Goodard has no idea how lucky he is that you have set your cap for him, though I daresay he’ll find out soon enough.”

  They finished their sitting in silence and accepted the sketch from the artist as they alighted from the carriage. “I must say that’s rather good,” Lady Julie said as they stood side by side, studying the image. In a low whisper she continued with, “Don’t look, but it appears as if your heart’s desire is on her way over here right now, and looking not the least bit pleased, I might add.” She then looked up at him in a most adoring way as she raised her voice and said quite sweetly, “He’s captured your likeness so well, my lord, though if I am to be truly honest, you’re far more handsome in person than the drawing suggests.”

  Lucien had to struggle not to laugh—­especially since he was close enough to Lady Julie to see the hint of mischief in her smile. There was no doubt in his mind that she would take Mr. Goodard by storm, and the more he thought about it, the more he looked forward to watching that inevitable romance unfold.

  “I was hoping to find you here,” Katherine said as she approached with his grandmother at her side. Lady Julie had been right about Katherine not looking pleased. In fact, she looked veritably annoyed—­a state of being that would require further investigation in order for him to determine the cause. He could only hope that Lady Julie was to blame.

  “Oh?” Lucien asked.

  Katherine’s eyes met his briefly before gravitating toward Lady Julie. “I’m afraid I’ve yet to make your acquaintance,” she said. Her smile appeared a touch too forced. “I am Lady Crossby, a longtime friend of Lord Roxberry’s. I do hope you’ll forgive my intrusion.”

  “Of course,” Lady Julie said. “Indeed, I’m happy that you chose to join us.”

  Katherine’s smile broadened. “How kind you are, but I must confess that I was hoping to steal his lordship away from you for a spell.” She returned her gaze to Lucien. “Considering how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other, I thought it would be nice for us to have a little talk—­the way we used to.”

  Lucien’s heart made a leap. That last bit sounded very competitive and territorial, yet he couldn’t be sure. He looked to his grandmother for guidance, but she was of no use whatsoever in revealing Katherine’s motive for seeking him out, though she did leap into the middle of the conversation by saying, “And while you do, I shall take the opportunity to discuss something very important with Lady Julie.”

  Lucien frowned. He couldn’t for the life of him imagine what that something might be and found himself wondering if he’d missed something. Unsure of how to react to the situation, he decided not to ask any questions and merely play along instead. “I would enjoy that a great deal, Lady Crossby,” he said, “as long as Lady Julie doesn’t mind me walking off with another woman.”

  “I must admit that I was hoping for a quiet stroll with you myself,” Lady Julie said. “However, I am also terribly curious about what Lady Roxberry has to say.”

  “Well, if you will please come with me, I shall tell you,” Lucien’s grandmother replied as she took Lady Julie by the arm and steered her away.

  Lucien frowned as he watched them leave. He felt as if he was somehow missing the plot. Well, at least now he finally had Katherine all to himself, outside, away from the crowd, and in a dark garden lit only by the occasional torches that lined the paths. He offered her his arm. “Will you walk with me?”

  “I hope you’re not too disappointed in your change of company,” Katherine said as he guided her toward the far end of the garden. “I apologize if I was rude in demanding your attention—­I meant no insult to you or to Lady Julie—­but you see . . . well, the thing of it is that I couldn’t help but notice how taken you seem to be with her, and I . . . err . . . well, she is rather young.”

  Lucien glanced over at Katherine. Her profile was shadowed, and it was impossible for him to tell if she was voicing her concern because she genuinely feared he might be acting too rashly and making a mistake, or because of some deep-rooted jealousy that had begun to bloom inside her. So he merely shrugged and said, “Perhaps, though I must admit that I find her absolutely enchanting. She’s not the least bit empty-headed, but incredibly witty and smart. Frankly, I think she would make a fine wife for any gentleman seeking to marry.”

  “And is that what you want, Lucien? To marry?”

  Only if I can marry you.

  “It is certainly something that I have begun to consider.” She didn’t respond to that, so he said, “I’m an earl now, Kate. Sooner or later I will need an heir. I see no reason in prolonging my search for a bride when I have a duty to do so eventually.”

  “No, I suppose not,” she said, her voice holding a hint of uncertainty. “But since you’ve only just returned and this is the first time I’m seeing you in so long, I suppose I imagined that we would be able to spend some time together the way we used to.”

  “I see no reason why we can’t still do that,” he said.

  She laughed, but it was the sort of laughter that betrayed her calm composure. “You know as well as I that a courtship will take up a great deal of your time.” She fell silent. He sensed that she was struggling with whether or not to say something more, so he said nothing and merely waited for her to continue, which she eventually did. “I would like the opportunity to spend some time with you before you settle down and start a family—­a chance for us to become reacquainted, to talk about the last four years we’ve been missing from each other’s lives and for you to share with me your experiences from the war. I think it’s important that you—­”

  “If you think that I am going to tell you or anyone else about something that I d
on’t even wish to think about, then you are wrong,” he clipped as the muscles in his arms tightened.

  “Forgive me,” she said in a rush of trembling words. “I just thought . . .” She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

  Lucien frowned. Where was the Katherine who’d once used a slingshot to knock down apples from the highest branches of an apple tree, who’d urged his father to eat less pudding and his mother to favor blue rather than yellow when selecting her gowns? She seemed so skittish and unsure of herself now by comparison—­so unlike the Katherine he’d left behind when he’d gone to join the army. “Is that it?” he asked her, hoping for a glimpse of the spirited woman he’d fallen in love with. “No quick response or set down to put me in my place?”

  She eyed him cautiously, took a deep breath and finally said, “Very well. I realize you’ve had some unpleasant experiences since we last saw each other, but that doesn’t give you the right to be curt with me or to dismiss what I am saying. If you’ve no desire to discuss what happened, you may tell me so in a polite manner, but know this, Lucien Marvaine—­I am your friend, and I only have your very best intentions at heart.”

  Having come to an abrupt halt, Lucien stared down at the vision before him. This was the Katherine he loved and adored—­a woman who was willing to fight any battle for those she cared about, even when it meant telling them what they least wanted to hear. What struck him by surprise was how stunned she looked—­as if she couldn’t believe the words that had just popped out of her mouth and regretted saying them.

  Something wasn’t right with her, and Lucien had every intention of getting to the bottom of it. For now, though, he would have to be content with settling the issue she’d initially broached in regard to the courtship she believed he would soon embark on. “Would you like me to postpone finding a wife in favor of spending time with you instead?” he asked. Maintaining a calm demeanor was becoming a very trying effort indeed. Especially when every nerve in his body was on full alert and his heart was racing away at a frantic pace.