The Danger in Tempting an Earl

by Sophie Barnes

  “Very well. You may host a dinner.”

  She turned around slowly, as if she feared that any sudden movement might change his mind. “Are you certain?”

  “I understand how difficult the situation must be for you. You’ve been shot at, had your home broken into, been separated from your daughter and removed from your familiar surroundings to be locked away in a house that isn’t your own and with nothing to entertain you, except for me of course, whenever I am here, which I haven’t been often—­admittedly. In my opinion, it’s a wonder you’re not mad already.”

  Smiling, she walked back toward him. He set his paper aside and stood, his hand seeking hers. She accepted it. “We’ll be careful,” she promised, aware that his greatest concern was for her safety. She loved that he cared, but too much caring could also be stifling.

  He nodded, his lips pressed together even as he made an effort to smile. He was worried, yet he was bowing to her wishes. He truly was a wonderful man. If only he’d kiss her now with all the passion he’d shown for her before. She remained where she was, so close to him that it would scarcely take any effort at all for him to pull her into his arms.

  “Kate . . .” His voice was hoarse, and for a moment it looked as if her prayers would be answered. Commanded by the sound of her name upon his lips, she met his gaze, but where there had once been heat, there was now doubt and trepidation.

  “It’s all right,” she said, pulling away from him and taking a step back, the loss of his touch stirring an ache in her chest. “You needn’t explain. I understand.”

  He frowned. “Do you?”

  “Oh yes.” Heaven above, she was going to die right there on the dining room floor. Her heart was breaking, and she feared she might soon cry before him if she didn’t hurry things along and get herself out of there quickly. “However, if it’s not too much trouble, it would please me greatly if we could at least remain friends.”

  “Remain friends?”

  “I see you disagree.” She nodded, willing back the tears that threatened to fall. “Well, I suppose that’s what I get for wanting the moon, the stars and sun. I’ll leave you to your paper.”

  Turning about on her heel, she started forward, only to be halted by his hand upon her arm. “Kate,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t—­”

  “Where is she?” The sound of a female voice echoing through the hallway came toward them, followed swiftly by the rapid clicking of heels upon the floor.

  “My lady!” Mr. Parker’s voice.

  “I insist on seeing my friend or if not her, then Lord Roxberry. Surely he must be able to—­” Louise appeared in the doorway, her eyes widening as she spotted Katherine. Mr. Parker came up behind her with hastily spoken apologies. “My dear!” The tension left Louise’s voice as she enveloped Katherine in her arms.

  Lucien dismissed the anxious butler with a request that more tea be brought in.

  “Heaven above, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to find you, and in good health too, from the looks of it.” Stepping back, Louise smoothed the front of her skirts and looked at Lucien. “My lord, I hope you will forgive my dramatic intrusion, but I was so terribly worried. I went to Cresthaven to call on Katherine, you see, but was informed that she had departed for London after being attacked in her home the previous evening.”

  “That was very informative of her staff,” Lucien said stiffly.

  Louise smiled. “You’d be surprised how easily some tongues can be loosened, especially since the servants know how fond I am of Katherine. I left for London the next day and went directly to Crossby House, but when the staff there told me they hadn’t seen their mistress in months, I grew very alarmed indeed. The next logical place to inquire was here.”

  “And I’m very happy you did,” Katherine told her. “Is Huntley in town with you?”

  “Oh yes—­he refused to let me travel alone. Mind you, we shan’t stay long. I promised Mama that I would only be gone for a ­couple of days. With Kingsborough Hall still overrun by houseguests, I really must be there to help her entertain—­especially with my brother, the duke, in pursuit of Miss Chilcott.”

  Katherine tilted her head. “Miss Chilcott? Do I know her?”

  “I shouldn’t think so. She was not invited to the ball, but she snuck herself in anyway. Well, my brother fell for her and . . . ah well, it has become a very delicate situation, I fear. Her parents are completely opposed to any match between their daughter and the duke.”

  “That sounds very odd,” Lucien said as he pulled out a chair for Louise so she could sit. She thanked him kindly and lowered herself onto it while Katherine and Lucien both reclaimed theirs.

  “Yes, I suppose it does. But the duke is determined to make her his bride, so I’m sure he’ll get to the bottom of it eventually.”

  “Well, since you are in town for at least tonight and hopefully tomorrow night as well, we’d like to invite you for dinner—­whichever evening suits you best,” Katherine said, hoping that her friend wasn’t already engaged.

  Louise smiled. “That sounds lovely. Huntley suggests we go to the theater this evening—­you’re welcome to join us.”

  “Thank you,” Katherine said, her eyes meeting Lucien’s. She longed to accept the invitation, but she knew she could not. “Unfortunately, the person who attacked me at Cresthaven was hired by someone, and until we find out who, I am still at risk. You know, the shot that was fired at the ball was intended for me.”

  Louise gasped, her palm pressed against her chest with obvious alarm. “Oh, my dear! No wonder you are staying here.” She eyed Lucien. “I didn’t want to comment on the impropriety, for in earnest, it is none of my business, and with all the rumors . . . well, I do hope you’ll forgive me for imagining that your friendship had risen to a new level.”

  Katherine swatted her friend on the shoulder. “Lady Huntley, you are just as outrageous as Roxberry’s grandmother, except you don’t have the excuse of being old and without any obligation to be discreet.”

  A skinny little maid with a very serious expression entered, carrying a fresh pot of tea and a cup for Louise. Placing the items on the table, she bobbed a curtsy and left. Reaching for the pot, Katherine poured the tea for her friend, refilling Lucien’s cup as well as her own in the process.

  “My apologies, my lord,” Louise said as she slid her fingertips over the ear of her teacup. “Katherine is right. I often say things I shouldn’t, and in this instance in particular I do believe I should have refrained from saying anything at all. You are only doing what is right, after all. There is no fault in that, and if Society says otherwise, well, then they can all go hang!”

  Katherine couldn’t help but laugh. She looked at Lucien, whose lips were puckering with amusement. “Please don’t concern yourself on my account, Lady Huntley. I am not so easily offended.” His eyes met Katherine’s. “On the contrary, it has been an absolute pleasure having Katherine all to myself for a few days. It has given us the opportunity to become properly reacquainted.” He stood, while Katherine’s cheeks began to burn. “I would be delighted to invite you and Huntley to dine with us tomorrow if you are available then. And if you have some time to spare for Katherine right now, then I daresay she’d appreciate it. I understand she’s feeling rather trapped in this house.” His eyes darkened. “Word of caution though—­nobody must know that she is here. Her life is in danger, Lady Huntley, so I do hope that you will take my warning seriously.”

  “You have my word on it,” Louise replied, her head dipping in acquiescence.

  Katherine watched him go, her heart beating a strange tattoo. For the first time in their lifelong relationship, she’d no idea what he was thinking or feeling. It unnerved her tremendously.

  “I knew he was planning to ask for your hand,” Louise whispered. She was still half turned in her seat, her eyes on the door through which Lucien had just depar
ted.

  Katherine sighed. This again. “You’ve no idea of what you speak, Louise.”

  “Really? From where I’m sitting, the two of you looked very domestic, discussing dinner plans over breakfast.” Katherine could feel Louise’s eyes on her, but she dared not meet her gaze. Silence spread between them until Louise eventually said, “Tell me, has he kissed you yet?”

  Katherine’s head snapped up at that question. “Louise!”

  Louise merely grinned. “I can see that he has. Now I’ll save you the embarrassment of asking if he’s done anything more than that.”

  Good Lord, I’m going to combust!

  “Instead, I’m going to ask you why you don’t look happier. He is a handsome man, Katherine, and the two of you have always been so close. Surely you can see what a perfect match he would make for you. After all, he obviously cares for you or he wouldn’t have risked scandal in order to save you. Besides, I’m sure he could find somewhere else for you to stay if he was determined to do so.”

  “He wants to keep an eye on me,” Katherine said, her voice low with humiliation.

  Louise chuckled. “I daresay it’s nothing more than an excuse to . . . facilitate certain opportunities—­like that of kissing, for instance. He’d never have a chance to do that if you were living with his mama and grandmamma at Roxberry Hall, for instance. Curious that he didn’t think to leave you there, don’t you think?”

  “I . . .” Katherine’s throat worked in an attempt to find the right words while she sorted through her muddled thoughts at the same time. “No, Louise. Coming to London with him was my idea. I wanted to be of some assistance, not tucked out of the way somewhere, for if that was the case, I ought to have gone with Sophia.” Her voice quivered a little on her daughter’s name, for she was terribly worried about her in spite of having recently received a letter from her mother, confirming that Sophia was safe.

  “Yes, of course,” Louise said. She nodded thoughtfully. The wheels and cranks in her brain were clearly at work. “But the way he looked at you just now . . . Katherine, don’t you see that he is desperately in love with you?”

  “He is not, or he would have proposed to me properly by now,” Katherine blurted. Snapping her mouth shut, she swung her gaze toward the empty plate that sat before her. Only crumbs remained.

  “Why would you say that?” Louise asked, her voice a low whisper.

  Resting her elbows on the edge of the table, Katherine dropped her face into her hands. In the heat of passion, Lucien had told her he loved her, but how could she believe that he really meant it when he’d failed to ask for her hand the following day? “You know why,” she murmured, too embarrassed by half to look her friend in the eye. She shouldn’t have said anything, but she’d spent two full days and an entire morning worrying about it.

  “Oh!” Katherine heard Louise move from her chair, and a moment later, her arms came about Katherine. “My poor dear.”

  “So you see, I have acted very foolishly, Louise. I have become a mistress after all, and lost a friend in the process. Heavens! Whatever must he think of me?”

  “What must he think of you?” Louise asked with steel in her voice. “Dear Katherine, he is the one who has wronged you! You have nothing to be ashamed of. Now, the important thing is to convince him to do the right thing and marry you.”

  Lowering her hands, Katherine raised her head and looked at her friend. “I don’t think he wants to anymore. In fact, he’s been very distant with me lately.”

  “Anymore?” Louise studied her. “You mean to say he has indeed suggested it?”

  “He mentioned it a ­couple of times, but that was before we . . .” She swallowed. “He hasn’t said a word about it since, not even in jest.”

  “And how did you respond when he initially brought it up? Were you open to his suggestion?”

  “Not really. When I became a widow, I decided never again to attach myself to any man—­that I’d much rather be a companion to my aunt.”

  “Well, I do hope you’ve changed your mind about that. Think of Sophia, Katherine, and think of yourself. It would be so much better for you to marry Roxberry.”

  Katherine attempted a smile, but her mouth wouldn’t cooperate. “I know that now, but I fear it is too late. He no longer wants me.”

  Louise sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “Lady Crossby, I do believe you’re being an idiot about this.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You heard me.” Louise shook her head, her dark ringlets swinging against her cheeks. “To think that a woman like you, who has been married, would know so little about men or ­people in general. Honestly, you astound me.”

  Katherine stared at her. “I love him,” she said.

  Louise nodded. “I know.” Her smile was full of satisfaction.

  “And I have discouraged his suit with my continuous resistance.” She sank back against her chair. “If he asks me now and I refuse him . . . the possibility that I might . . . oh, Louise, what a fool I’ve been.”

  “I’m so glad to know that you’re finally seeing reason,” Louise said, her smile widening until she was practically beaming. “Why, I’m sure the poor man would love to ask for your hand but has quite lost the courage to do so again.”

  “I think you’re probably right,” Katherine agreed, yet the doubt that had tugged at her heart for years refused to budge. “But what if you’re not? I dare not broach the issue for fear of being spurned.”

  Louise looked at her with sympathy. “I sense that your marriage to Crossby was not a happy one, though you were always brave in putting on a good appearance for the benefit of others. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, or I would have tried to help.”

  “There was nothing you could do. He was my husband. Thankfully, we did not see very much of each other.”

  “Hmm.” Louise’s eyes met Katherine’s knowingly, but she said nothing further about it. “Still, Roxberry is different. You’ve known him your whole life, Katherine. Surely you can trust him not to hurt you. But if you do wish for him to make the first move, then we shall merely have to nudge him along a little, shan’t we?”

  “Louise . . . ?”

  Louise smiled. “I will arrive for dinner tomorrow evening with Huntley. We’ll have a splendid time of it, you’ll see.”

  Katherine groaned. She didn’t like the idea of playing games, but she did want Lucien to be hers. If he still wished to marry her, all she wanted from him was a little sign—­something that would give her courage.

  Chapter 15

  Damn! Lucien cursed himself as he entered the park. He had no idea where he was going, only that he needed to walk. Surely there wasn’t a man alive in England who was as big a blockhead as he.

  A smartly dressed gentleman tipped his hat in his direction, and Lucien almost passed him by without returning the salutation. His mind was in a muddle, his body in constant agony because of her. Having Katherine beneath his roof was torture, especially now that he knew what it was like to have her, to kiss those supple lips, to run his hands over her lithe body as she sighed with pleasure. His touch enflamed her, he could see it in her eyes, and the very thought of it was most provocative.

  Lucien’s hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. The air was cool today, sharp and crisp. He took a breath and focused on the way it felt as it rushed into his lungs. His sanity was returning, little by little, though he knew it would depart again the instant he returned home and laid eyes on her.

  Why couldn’t he just ask her the one simple question that was forever churning in his mind? The answer was simple. He’d brought it up before, only to have her toss his offer back at him. After everything they’d recently shared, receiving another “no” from her would likely crush him. He could not risk being denied, not after all the years he’d spent loving her and hoping for her to be his. She’d
given herself to him the other night, and while it had been wonderful—­better than he ever could have dreamed—­she’d done so without any promises being made.

  Idiot.

  Reaching a cluster of trees, Lucien stopped and scanned the scenery. Nobody else was around, and he plucked his hat from his head and raked his fingers through his hair. He loved her, by God, and because of that, he’d lost his senses and taken her to bed, fully knowing where she stood on the subject of marriage. He’d sworn he wouldn’t repeat the mistake—­that if they were ever intimate again, it would be because she’d accepted his proposal. Consequently, he hadn’t kissed her since their night together either—­he simply didn’t trust himself to leave it only at that. Not when she stirred such fire in him that all he could think of was how to take her the next time the opportunity to do so arose.

  Bloody hell! He had to put the question to her soon, for the sake of his health as much as his peace of mind. He pondered his chance of success. Katherine had seemed a bit tense of late . . . apprehensive perhaps. This morning, she’d been upset, but just before Lady Huntley had arrived, she’d said the most curious thing: “I suppose that’s what I get for wanting the moon, the stars and the sun.” Lucien’s heart made a funny thump. If there was any chance at all that she was speaking of him, then he was bloody well going to find out. He hadn’t gotten himself this far only to give up now.

  With renewed purpose, he put his hat back on his head and marched back the way he’d come. Katherine was his—­she’d given herself to him, after all. It was time he stopped being such a dunce about it all and spoke the question that had been on his lips these last few days. The last time he’d asked, she’d been asleep, so that didn’t count for much, and before that she’d had her own fears to conquer.

  Stopping by the florist on the way, he picked up a bouquet of yellow tulips held together by a lilac ribbon. But when he arrived home, his grand plan of proposing was brought to an immediate halt upon seeing Barrymore and Carlyle alighting from a carriage. He winced. This was not good. If they discovered that Katherine was living with him, the news would hit Mayfair by storm. By God, they’d betted on his success at winning her hand! This could prove disastrous. His grip on the tulips tightened. He hadn’t expected them to call on him, and he fleetingly considered backing away and turning the corner. If he could at least enter through the back, then he could get rid of the flowers and warn everyone inside.