You Never Forget Your First Earl

by Ella Quinn

  A large roan, Endicott’s beast, stood held by a groom in front of the building just beyond Geoff’s.

  He recognized the young servant holding the horse, and said, “Once Lord Endicott has come out, run back to the stables and fetch my horse as well.”

  The lad pulled his forelock. “I’ll be quick about it, my lord.”

  Geoff might not be able to take his lady riding, but he could accompany her and her escort. He grinned to himself. Littleton was not going to be a happy man.

  “You look to be in much better spirits than I’ve seen you in lately,” Endicott said as he took the reins from the groom and tossed him a coin.

  “I am, indeed.” The boy ran off, presumably to ready Geoff’s Hercules, a large gray gelding he’d had for three years now. “I have ordered my horse to be brought around and must change. Will I see you in the Park?”

  “You will. Not that I expect to find more than a bit of exercise there.”

  Not long afterward, Geoff guided his horse out of St. James Square and toward Hyde Park where he joined Polite Society at its finest. He was halfway around the carriage drive when he saw Elizabeth. It pleased him to note that she spent more time greeting friends than speaking to his lordship.

  Threading his way through the crowd, he finally came up beside Littleton’s carriage, and doffed his hat. “Good afternoon, Miss Turley, Littleton.”

  “Good afternoon.” Elizabeth’s smile grew brighter. “I did not expect to see you here.”

  “No?” Geoff glanced at Littleton but the man ignored him, so Geoff focused his efforts on Elizabeth. “How could I not come when all the most beautiful sights are here?”

  By the way she blushed, he was sure she knew he referred to her. “Are they truly, my lord?”

  He captured her gaze with his. “I am absolutely firm in my belief.” For several minutes he kept pace with the curricle, chatting with Elizabeth and greeting friends and acquaintances. Once he was sure news of his interest in her would be on the tongues of all the gossips, he took his leave. “Until this evening.”

  She held out her hand, and he took it. “I shall look forward to our dances.”

  “No more than I shall.” Geoff pressed his lips to her gloved fingers, wishing they were bare, wishing he was kissing her rosy lips, wishing he had her alone and to himself. Wishing—he tamped down his nascent lust. Riding a horse with a stiff cock was not comfortable.

  Littleton’s back was straight as a poker, and he continued to ignore Elizabeth and Geoff’s conversation. With any luck, his lordship now understood that Miss Elizabeth Turley was taken.

  “That went well.” Elizabeth had been shocked to see Harrington in the Park today.

  Not even in her dreams had she thought he would make a figure of himself by remaining by the carriage, speaking with her but not Lord Littleton. On the other hand, his lordship had not spoken with Harrington either. He might not have seen the raised brows and speculative glances, but she had. Everyone would be watching them tonight.

  She glanced at Lord Littleton. “Do you not think Lord Harrington is coming around?”

  “Sooner than I’d thought.” Lord Littleton mumbled something else she did not catch.

  “I beg your pardon, but I could not hear the last part.”

  “I’m not sure I meant for you to hear it.” They had reached one of the gates. Once he drove through it, he sighed. “Your brother and I made you promise not to fall in love with me. Apparently, I should have made a promise not to fall in love with you.”

  “You cannot be serious.” She scrambled for something to say that would ease the sudden tension between them and her blurted words. “You are not ready to marry.”

  “Apparently, with the right woman I am.” He pulled up in front of her father’s house. “I should not have told you. It has made things difficult between us. Harrington was always the gentleman you wanted, and it now appears that you shall have him.” Lord Littleton took her hands in his. “However, if it goes wrong, if you discover he is not the gentleman you want, I’d ask you to consider me. I will never be more than a baron, but I’m wealthy. I have several estates, and I would do my best to make you happy.”

  He looked so earnest and sad. For several moments she couldn’t speak. “You are a wonderful man—”

  He held up one hand as he released her fingers. “You do not need to say more. I know where your heart lies.”

  A footman came out and helped Elizabeth down from the curricle. “Thank you. For everything.”

  Lord Littleton nodded then drove down the street.

  “Goodness, who would have guessed?” she said more to herself than anyone else.

  “Did you say something, miss?” her father’s butler said.

  She looked up to the top of the steps where Broadwell held the door open. “Nothing, Broadwell. Nothing at all.”

  Well, this had been an interesting day. Gentlemen had paid her very little attention during the Season, now two men wished to marry her. Yet, only one made her breath shorten and her heart race. Her lips still tingled where Harrington had touched them with his.

  Elizabeth felt sorry for Lord Littleton. There was little worse than wanting someone who did not want you. The chances were that she would not be in London next Season, but her friends would be. She’d write to them, asking for their help finding Lord Littleton a wife worthy of the man.

  The rest of the afternoon and into evening, Elizabeth couldn’t settle. She tried resting, reading, and embroidery, but was too nervous to concentrate. No, that wasn’t the right word. Excited suited her mood much better. She wanted nothing more than to spend time with Harrington. If only this evening would come sooner. Yet, it seemed as if the clock never moved, and that she had been glancing at it every few minutes instead of every hour as she thought.

  “Elizabeth,” her aunt said, walking into the morning room. “You are going to fag yourself to death before this evening if you do not stop pacing.”

  “I do not seem to be able to stop myself.” Elizabeth glanced at the clock again and her aunt heaved a sigh.

  “It is late notice, but, if you’d like, I shall write Harrington and ask if he wishes to take potluck with us then accompany us to the ball this evening.”

  “Oh, would you?” That would be wonderful. It was only just over two hours until dinner. “Do you think he will accept?”

  “All I can do is send the invitation.” She opened her mouth to ask when the card would be sent, but before she could say a word, Aunt continued. “Which I shall do immediately. I suggest you call for Vickers and take a bath. That should calm you down.”

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth bussed her aunt’s cheek, and repaired to her room.

  Sooner than she had expected, her bath was set up and filled with warm water. She forced herself to remain in the tub until the water cooled. She tried to forget her aunt had sent Harrington an invitation to dinner, yet it didn’t work.

  Was he coming to care for her? Did he wish to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him? She had so many questions and precious few answers.

  If only someone would tell her if he was joining them for dinner!

  “Miss, it’s time to dry off and dress.” Vickers’s pragmatic tone helped to soothe Elizabeth’s still-frayed nerves.

  Her aunt was right. All this speculating and worrying was doing her no good at all. She stepped out of the bath and took the towel her maid handed to her. After donning her chemise, stockings, stays, and petticoats, she sat while Vickers combed her hair and rearranged it.

  Elizabeth paid no attention to her hair or the gown her maid chose. It was clear that Harrington was not coming. She would see him at the ball, but, clearly, despite almost kissing her today and spending time with her at the Park, he did not care enough to dine with her.

  “I’ve never seen you so out of sorts,” Vickers said. “One minute in alt and the next cast down in despair.”

  Elizabeth had never felt like this before. And she did not like it at all. Sh
e would tell her brother she wished to go home. Or if Papa would not have her, she’d speak to her aunt.

  Several minutes later, her mind made up to leave Town, she strolled into the drawing room, and her heart stopped. Harrington was there, splendid in a dark blue jacket and breeches. His neckcloth was so artfully arranged, it must have taken ages and many cravats. How long had it taken to achieve such a masterpiece? Good Lord, she was acting like a feather-brained ninny.

  Then he was with her. “Good evening.”

  “You came.” She could have bitten her tongue off. What a stupid thing to say. “I mean—”

  “I could not stay away.” He kissed the palms of her hands, closing her fingers around them. “Please tell me you are delighted to see me.”

  “I am. Very pleased to see you.” Her heart felt like it would burst out of her breast, and she had trouble forming sentences. “You look fine.”

  “It was kind of your aunt to invite me.” He continued to hold her hands as he gazed down at her.

  “I am glad she did.” She would have been even happier if anyone had told her he would be here. For the love of Heaven. She did not even know what she was wearing. One of her pink gowns, but which one? Not that it mattered. It was too late now to change. Still, she did wish to look well to him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You are a vision.” From the moment Elizabeth had seemed to float into the room, Geoff couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her pale pink gown sparkled in the candlelight, the skirt hinting at the curves beneath it. Aquamarine-tipped pins peeped out from her curls. The same stones dangled from her ears, and a large tear-shaped aquamarine hovered between her lush breasts.

  The very ones he wished to touch. He would dress her in sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and pearls.

  Kissing her palms was not enough; he had to touch her. He did not think he had ever wanted a woman as much as he wanted her. Best of all, she seemed to want him as well.

  The pulse at the base of her neck had quickened when he’d touched her hands. Her scent mixed with her usual lavender and lemon intoxicated him. Would she taste sweet or tart? He could imagine her lips softening under his and her body heating as he kissed first her neck, then her breasts. God! He was obsessed with her breasts.

  Drat it all. If he kept this up, he’d spill before he even kissed her.

  “I would like to arrange a party for the theater. What plays do you like the best?”

  She gazed up at him, her lips slightly parted. Her eyes had grown darker. “I prefer comedies.”

  “Shall I organize it?” Geoff wished he could take her alone without chaperones. “Your aunt, brother, you, and I.”

  Elizabeth’s lips tipped up at the ends. “I should enjoy that immensely. I have not attended the theater.”

  “In that case, we must go. One cannot visit Town and not see a play.”

  The sounds of her aunt and brother talking reached them and they sprang apart. Elizabeth went to a side table where a crystal decanter set. “Would you like a glass of claret?”

  “Yes, please.” What he needed was a cold dip in a lake. He took the glass of wine from her. “Everyman in His Humour is playing at the Theater Royal. Perhaps we could attend tomorrow evening.”

  “We must ask my aunt. We are supposed to attend a ball, but perhaps we can send our regrets.”

  He had not been focused on tomorrow’s ball, but the one this evening. This was the ball where she would dance twice with him—not for the first time, but for the first time after he had almost kissed her—and he would do his best to keep her by his side. “I did not forget. I merely thought you would enjoy the theater instead of another ball.”

  “I would take pleasure in attending the theater.” She slid a look at the door as Lady Bristow and Gavin Turley entered the drawing room. “There you are. I thought you had forgotten us.”

  “Thank you for inviting me.” Geoff stepped forward and bowed to Lady Bristow. “I apologize for arriving a bit early.”

  “No matter, my lord.” She inclined her head. “You had my niece to keep you company.”

  Elizabeth’s cheeks grew rosy. “We have been discussing the theater. Lord Harrington invited us to accompany him to a comedy playing tomorrow evening.” She poured glasses of wine for her aunt and brother, then one for herself. “Would you like to attend?”

  “Indeed, I would. I had meant to take you, but we never seem to have a free evening.” Her aunt took the wine and sipped. “Gavin, have you plans for tomorrow?”

  “I do, but that should not stop you from attending.” He shook Geoff’s hand. “No need to have even numbers for the theater in this case.”

  “Very well.” Geoff took a drink of the excellent claret. “I shall notify the manager we will attend.”

  No sooner had they finished their wine when dinner was announced. He had hoped that the seating would be informal, but he was disappointed. Although the table was reduced to seat four, he sat on her ladyship’s right, across the table from Elizabeth who sat at her brother’s right.

  He soon discovered he was indeed taking potluck. The first course consisted of le potage printanier, with two removes, followed by a loin of pork, jugged hare, and baked cod in cream sauce, and three removes including French beans with almonds, and a green salad. The last course consisted of various creams and jellies. Very much what one would expect for a family dining alone. Yet, the food was superb. He could easily imagine her presiding over a much larger table of dignitaries, politicians, and foreign aristocrats.

  “I must tell you, my lord,” Lady Bristow said, her pride clear as she spoke. “Since her mother’s death two years ago, my niece has managed not only the town house, but the country households as well.”

  That would explain her maturity. Elizabeth was indeed the perfect wife for him. Not only did she meet all the qualifications on his list, but there was passion between them. That was an unlooked-for boon.

  He smiled at her. “It is clear you are doing exceptionally well.”

  “Thank you.” She colored again. “I was fortunate that my mother taught me what I needed to know.”

  Geoff would not allow Elizabeth to make light of her talents. “I will tell you frankly that my mother taught my eldest sister, but she had a deuce of a time putting instruction to action.”

  She chuckled lightly and said, “In that case, I shall take credit for my labors, and thank you again, my lord.”

  “We will leave you gentlemen to your port,” Lady Bristow said, rising.

  As he watched Elizabeth follow her aunt out of the dining room, Geoff resolved to find time to be private with her at the ball. It was time to gain her agreement to wed.

  The door closed behind the ladies, leaving Geoff and Turley to their port. Once the wine was poured and the decanter placed on the table, the servants withdrew.

  “Have you any idea when your father will return?” Geoff planned to propose soon, and, as a minor, she would require her father’s permission to marry. Her brother had said he’d been left in charge of Elizabeth, but did that mean Lord Turley had given his son a power of attorney to do all that was necessary for her to marry?

  “Sometime this week, I believe.” Turley twirled his glass, watching the dark wine coat the glass. “You and my sister appear to be getting on well.” He held the glass up as if to inspect the ruby color. “You do know that your attentions to her this afternoon in the Park have caused talk. It is all around the clubs.”

  “I suspected as much.” Geoff took a swallow of the port. It was a fine vintage. “I plan to ask your sister to marry me.” He looked at the lady’s brother. “I have reason to believe she will accept my proposal.”

  Turley leaned back in his chair. “If the looks she was giving you this evening are any indication, I think you may be correct. I won’t stand in your way if she wants you, but I take leave to tell you that I expect her to be treated well.”

  “I would never mistreat a woman, especially my wife.” The very idea was repulsive to Geoff.
Not only that, but his family would disown him.

  “That is all I ask.” Turley took a swallow of wine.

  Geoff had the feeling her brother would like to have said more, but he was glad Turley did not. What was between Geoff and Elizabeth would remain between them.

  “We should join the ladies.” Turley rose and Geoff did as well. “My aunt will want tea before we leave for the ball.”

  Elizabeth was persuaded by her aunt to play and sing a ballad on the pianoforte. Her playing was more technically correct than passionate, as it should be, but her voice reminded him of a lark. Clear and sweet, and just what he liked. He looked forward to evenings where she would entertain him and, later, their children.

  After tea was served, their little party left for the ball. As they entered, note was taken of his arrival with her family. Although he wasn’t happy to have to give her up to Littleton, who led her out for the first set, that was the man’s only dance with her.

  This evening, rather than bow to the wishes of his hostess, Geoff stayed with Turley and Lady Bristow while Elizabeth danced, making sure she returned to him and was by his side. When she danced with other gentlemen, he resolved not to allow his attention to wander. By the time this ball was over, the ton would know he was serious about making her his wife. All he had to do was convince her she wanted to wed him.

  “Are you having a good time?” The supper set had ended, and Geoff glanced around for her brother or aunt. For once, neither of them was in sight.

  “This has been a delightful evening.” Her sky blue eyes seemed to sparkle. “Do you think we have time to visit the conservatory before we go down to supper? Lady Deauville is quite proud of it.”

  “I don’t see why we should not.” It would give him time alone with her. Time he badly wanted. “Do you know where it is?”

  She pointed to the other side of the ballroom. “Through the arch near the French doors.”

  They made their way to the opposite side of the room, strolling through the arches that led into the conservatory. Other guests were present, but most of them were leaving. The glasshouse was rectangular, covering almost one entire side of the town house. A path looped down one side and up the other so that when Geoff and Elizabeth began their exploration, they were alone. The sound of water trickling came from one end of the room.