What the Earl Desires

by Burke, Aliyah

  “Good morning, Najja.”

  “Morning, Jo,” she replied with a grin.

  Jo sat up and patted the mattress beside her. Najja moved and sat there.

  “I do not hear any rain.”

  “Stopped late last night.”

  “Maybe we could go riding.”

  Her thoughts exactly. From the gleam in Jo’s eyes she understood. “I will get dressed.” Jo scrambled from the bed and began dressing, only when she heard the muttered cursing from her friend did Najja get off the thick bed.

  “Cursed clothes. Englishwomen wear too many clothes.”

  Helping her with the stays, Najja laughed. “You are an Englishwoman.”

  “Blast it, Najja, do not say that.”

  She laughed even more as Jo grumbled about her riding habit. Only doing it harder when the scowl came her way.

  “Come on,” she said when Jo finally finished.

  Giggling like school girls, they left the room and headed downstairs. The house was silent and yet, Abel appeared out of nowhere.

  “Good morning, Miss Adrys, Miss Najja.”

  “Good morning, Abel. Splendid day is it not,” Jo remarked.

  “Indeed. Can I be of service to you two?”

  “No, no. We are just going for a ride since the rain stopped.”

  He looked at them obviously unsure of allowing them to proceed with their plans.

  “Not a problem, Abel.” A deep voice broke in. Colin. “You ladies feel free; just make sure you take a groom along.”

  “Oh, thank you, Mr. Faulkner,” Jo gushed. “Come on, Najja.”

  Jo tugged on her hand and as she allowed herself to be pulled along, she glanced behind to see Colin striding into view. Mouthwatering as ever. How she managed, she had no clue, but she kept her eyes on him and nodded in thanks. Even so…she was hard-pressed to forget last night.

  Colin Faulkner is the most dangerous man I know.

  Colin sat in his study and thought about events over the past week. Ledgers for his estates sat open before him, ignored. Arrangements had been finalized for the men who’d died in his employ. He sighed.

  A glass of whisky dangled from his fingertips as he stared out the window. The rain had indeed faded but upon its retreat brought up a prelude to winter. The leaves had changed colors covering his estate with an enchanting blanketed mix of autumn hues. Golds, browns, yellows, reds, oranges, and more.

  Lord Adrys had beaten the fever; unfortunately it had taken its toll on the older man. To Colin’s own amazement he had assured the family it was no hardship for them to remain until Adrys was fit to travel. He actually didn’t mind their presence.

  Jo was the source of never-ending laughs as her mother tried to instruct her on the ways deemed proper by the ton. Personally, he liked the carefree Jo better. Of course that could be because whenever he faced that side of her he also got to see Najja.

  Ever since the night in his library, when her kissable lips formed and spoke his name, his body sung with a need he’d never experienced before. She was almost always near Jo. Truth be told he wasn’t sure when she slept. He’d noticed she always went to check on Lord Adrys since the fever broke.

  Every night Colin waited for her in the library, hoping she’d show. Craving more interaction with her. She’d been affected as well, had not she? But she never showed. He’d seen her leave the library on occasion but never had she come in at night after the others had gone to bed.

  He knew the women rode daily and he longed to go with. He didn’t but it never ceased the longing. His estates took a lot of work and he focused on them, endeavoring to be calm and respectful toward the vixen of his dreams, regardless of the fact she created less than courteous visions in his head.

  Laughter brought his attention back from its wanderings and he stared at the closed door. He set down his glass and raked a hand through his hair. The door opened to admit Berry. His valet nodded in greeting and limped his way to a seat, where he sat after placing a stack of papers on the desk.

  “Do I dare ask what is going on out there?”

  Berry flashed him a grin, reminiscent of their days in the Royal Navy. “Probably not.”

  “So you will tell me anyway.”

  “Of course.” He leaned back. “The women are helping to pack gifts for the festival tomorrow.”

  The Autumn Festival was a huge event for his tenants and the villagers to have a well earned day of rest. Dancing, food, tricks.

  “And the laughter?”

  “That was Najja telling a story of their time in Africa.”

  Undeniable rage stormed through him for two reasons. One, Berry called her Najja--never mind she told him that very thing--and two, why the hell was she laughing and joking with others but not him?

  “Miss Najja,” he growled.

  Berry lifted his eyebrows at the tone. “Miss Najja,” he said with compliance. “Anyway, she and Miss Adrys have been entertaining the ones fixing the baskets.”

  His hand resided on his leg and flexed into a fist a couple of times. “I see.” Holding Berry’s stare, he forced his hand to relax.

  A twinkle appeared in Berry’s blue eyes. “If you will excuse me, I am going to assist them.” He got to his feet and headed to the door where he paused long enough to look back at Colin. Berry opened his mouth as if to speak then appeared to think better of it and left in silence.

  With a groan, Colin turned his attention back to the stack of work before him. For not the first time since Najja had come to his house did he wish to turn it over to Berry or his man of affairs. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he forced himself to stay there.

  Two hours later the numbers had all begun to stream into one. A scratch at the door brought his head up. “Come,” he said grateful for the reprieve. Abel entered and hesitated causing him to arch a brow. “Yes?”

  “Sir, Lord Adrys asked to see you if you can spare a moment.”

  “Thank you, Abel.” He replaced the quill and pushed to his feet.

  Abel closed the door behind him and as he proceeded to the stairs he could hear more feminine laughter. He wanted to be there with Najja. This feeling, desire, to be near her was strange. They’d barely spoken but he could feel it on a deeper level--there existed a connection there. He just needed her to realize it. Almost intimate, this thing he felt for her.

  He took the stairs two at a time and walked down the hall toward the room he’d had Lord Adrys placed in. Four rooms, he mused as he continued along. Not that he needed them but he had a small staff and despite his reputation of being a coldhearted man, he cared for them. They were more of a family than his own had ever been.

  Good thing Najja was in her own room, although considering how close she and Jo were there was a good chance they shared.

  He sighed and adjusted his breeches before knocking at the door. His breath caught in his throat when the door opened. Najja stood before him, dressed today in green. All he could focus on was the way it offset her smooth skin.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Faulkner,” she said meeting his gaze head on even as she dipped a small curtsey.

  Fully aware of Lord Adrys’ gaze on him from where he lay in the bed, he ignored baser desires and gave her a brief nod, his nose assaulted by her engaging and irresistible scent. Vanilla and spiced roses. Need swelled within him.

  “Miss Najja.”

  He burned even hotter as her gaze moved down his face over his body to the toes of his shiny Hessians and back up. Unfortunately she never said a word, just slid by him, tantalizing close yet frustratingly apart. Then she was gone, leaving behind her scent and nothing more. Ignoring the urge to turn his head and follow her steps, he fully entered the room and gave a low bow.

  “You wished to see me, my lord?”

  Lord Hayworth Adrys still looked drawn and pale. “You have offered us hospitality and put up with my family without blinking. I think we can dispense with the formalities.”

  He liked the man. “Very well, Adrys then. What can
I do for you?”

  As Adrys struggled into a sitting position, he cast an easy perusal about the room. They were alone. Why was Najja in here without anyone else present? Was there something between Najja and Adrys? The thought left a sour taste in his gut.

  “I want to apologize for putting you in this predicament.”

  He shook his head needing more clarification. “I have more than enough room.”

  “No.” Adrys coughed. “There have been attempts on my life.” More coughing. “Part of why we came back to England early.”

  Colin sat in a tall chair adjacent to the bed. He didn’t like how this sounded. “Why do you not have more travelling with you?”

  “Thought it would attract less attention until we got to the country estate. Then we would head to London once the place had been set to rights.”

  Logical but still it bothered him that there was Adrys and three women without protection.

  “Where is your estate?”

  Adrys smiled. “Not far actually. Kittle Manor.”

  He knew his shock showed. Their properties bordered one another and he had mulled over offering for it at one point. “Are they expecting you?”

  “Yes. Abel was good enough to send a missive.”

  The thought of Najja leaving before…well, it didn’t sit well with him. “So you will depart soon?”

  Emotions shifted Adrys’ eyes hardened momentarily showing Colin a man who had the ability to be extremely dangerous. “That is why I asked to speak to you. I received word, just this morning there was a fire there. I wonder if--”

  “Stay as long as you need until your place is fixed and you feel better.”

  “Are you sure? I know a young unattached man…well, I have no wish to intrude and force my family upon you.”

  “The staff enjoys them and they are no disturbance to my daily business.” Except Najja. I cannot get her out of my head.

  “You are very kind, Mr. Faulkner.”

  “Colin please.”

  “Colin.”

  Najja did not give in and say my name that easy.

  He got to his feet. “I will assign some extra men to keep an eye on your family.”

  The man looked old and tired. “Thank you. They mean everything to me.”

  “Forgive my asking but does Miss Najja have a last name?”

  Adrys sighed heavily. “No. That is her only name. I hope her presence is not causing an issue.”

  You have no idea. He swallowed and hoped to hell his voice remained level. “Not at all. I barely know she is even here.” Aside from the constant state of arousal she keeps me in, it is as if our lives have never intersected. Why would she only have one name?

  “Good. She is a…part of our family.”

  “I see her and your daughter are very close.”

  Adrys grinned and appeared much younger. “They are. Been together off and on while we were there. Jo missed her so much when they were apart the times Najja was gone.”

  “Where did she go?” The question slipped out unbidden.

  Adrys hesitated. “She travelled for her father.”

  More mystery. And Najja was a mystery he most definitely wanted to unveil. In more ways than one.

  “I see.” He saw the reluctance on Adrys’ part to discuss Najja and had no wish to get the man to thinking he had any interest in her. “I shall leave you to rest.”

  “Thank you, Colin.”

  He inclined his head and slid past the door. As he made his way down the stairs he thought over the information he’d just learned. Someone was out to kill Lord Adrys. Why, he didn’t know. Najja had for some reason left her home and come to England with the Adryses. Add into this someone hijacking his own shipments.

  Pausing on the stairs, he headed down with a new destination in mind. Abel waited for him, coat in hand. The man had this uncanny way to anticipate his decisions.

  “Your horse is waiting.”

  With a grateful nod, he put on the coat and hat. Heading out the door, he tugged on his gloves as he went. Sure enough a groom stood with his gelding, Salvage. He swung easily into the saddle and was off with a touch of his heels to the glossy chestnut sides.

  The brisk air was even colder than he’d believed. Steam rose from Salvage’s sides and expelled from his nostrils as they thundered along the road toward The Brown Goose, a tavern where he was going to meet a man who had contacts he could only wish to have. A new one, not seen in this area before--at least for a long time, he was going to send along on the next shipment. But this meeting was also for something else now.

  He dismounted even before Salvage slid to a halt. A boy caught the reins and he said, “Walk him around, I will be back in ten minutes.”

  “Yessir.”

  The interior of The Brown Goose was dark, noisy, and rank. Most tables full of men already deep in their cups. Women served them with necklines low in hopes of an extra bit of money for themselves. Shaking his head, he spotted the man he sought. Wilkes. He sat in the back corner, an eye on the door. Heavy beard, unkempt hair, every inch of him showcased a hard life. Not the man he recalled from years before. And there was no one else he would trust to undertake such a thing.

  He joined him at the table and ordered a tankard of ale. “Wilkes,” he said by way of greeting.

  “Faulkner.”

  “I need you to do something for me.” The large man downed a swallow of the swill and remained silent. “I need to know if you hear anything in regards to Lord Adrys.”

  “You have interest in the viscount?”

  “Sort of. Just say how long he has been gone intrigues me.”

  Disbelief filled Wilkes’ face. “I heard there was a fire at Kittle Manor. Luckily no one perished.”

  “Anything you hear, no matter how small, send a message.”

  “Thinking of increasing your estate?”

  He gave a wane smile. “Anything is possible.”

  “I will keep an ear to the ground.”

  “Good man.” He slid Wilkes the ignored drink and put enough money down to cover them both. “I will be attending the fair tonight if you hear anything today.”

  “Right.”

  There was nothing else. Wilkes returned to staring gloomily across the tavern. So he left, barely pausing to toss the young lad who’d held his horse a coin.

  “Thank ye, sir,” he said with a cheery wave.

  Colin nodded then urged Salvage onward. He headed toward the property line between his and Adrys’ estate. He slowed nearing the end of the copse of trees he rode through. From here the land sloped down slightly into a meadow, a long area bordered by trees on three sides and a lake on the other. Voices brought him more alert.

  Feminine voices.

  Jo and Najja.

  Different emotions waged within him. Lust and desire being near the top. He reined in Salvage at the edge, remaining hidden and observed. Two horses stood grazing and running around were Jo and Najja. They ran kicking a round ball like object. Each trying to get it from the other.

  Both of them had their hair down and looked totally at ease. He frowned at the realization they had no protection. Where were the men he’d assigned to watch them?

  Determined to confront them, he nudged Salvage only to draw him up again when movement from the black stallion’s saddle grabbed his notice. By the time he returned his gaze to the women they were putting themselves back to rights. Again he peeked at the saddle only to find it empty. I am losing it.

  He watched the women mount with ease, again something that would set them apart from most he knew from the upper crust of society, and turn toward him. Before they got to him he emerged from the shadows.

  “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  Both were flushed from their exertions and the cold. He nodded first to Jo then Najja. Her brown eyes sparkled and that familiar clench in his gut returned and hit him with incredible force.

  “Mr. Faulkner, what a pleasant surprise,” Jo said with a cheeky grin. “Are you out for
a ride just because or do you have a destination in mind?”

  “Just because,” he replied keeping his gaze on the young Miss Adrys. “Might I join you?”

  “We would love it. You have such a beautiful estate. The colors of autumn make it magnificent. I am surprised Mama has not been after me in saying you would make a good--”

  “Jo!” Najja interjected.

  The chit blushed. Rather adorable when she did so. “Oh…blast it. I am so sorry, Mr. Faulkner. I never can control my mouth.”

  He didn’t point out polite young women didn’t say “blast” either. Colin chuckled and maneuvered his horse along Jo. “No reason to apologize, Miss Adrys.”

  “Jo please. Miss Adrys seems so dreadfully proper and I would like to think of us as friends.” She directed her mare so he rode between the women. “Besides, titled or not my mother knows you are a very wealthy man. And if no nobleman will have me, be forewarned, Mr. Faulkner, you may just find yourself in her sights.”

  He couldn’t believe her audacity. Women didn’t speak so frankly, at least none he knew. Instead of her frankness exasperating him, he found it refreshing. “Am I to assume then that I am not the kind of man you wish to be married to?” He could hear Najja muttering something he couldn’t understand.

  “Please do not take offense. I have no desire to marry. I will declare myself a widow and travel the world, seeking adventure where I find it.”

  “Well, when you put it like that,” he teased, casting a glance to his right where Najja rode. She gave him a small smile then looked away. It wasn’t much but it was enough for the moment. As they continued on he got thoroughly entertained by Jo. Even Najja joined in the conversation. Never before had he been in the presence of two ladies and enjoyed himself more.

  Once the stable was in view, he asked, “Are you two up for attending a festival?”

  “Yes!” Jo said immediately.

  “Very well, I will have the carriage readied. We can go together this night.”

  Jo rattled off something across him to Najja while he just watched his brown vixen. Those fools who said brown skin was unattractive didn’t have a clue what they spoke about. Just staring at Najja made him want to touch and caress her. There was no mistaking her for a debutante who despised the outdoors and whose skin was paler than most sick persons. Amazing how he had never really noticed that before.