The Lady and the Earl

by Clark, Diedre

  “Yes, of course,” she said with an eager smile.

  He guided her out of the large room and outside into the cool, night air.

  Chapter 3

  Edmund Russell frowned. He was so torn. Tonight was the night he would ask Allana to marry him. It was only proper considering how long he had been courting her. If he hadn’t intended to do so, he should not have courted her. He’d been telling himself this time and time again. He’d always known this would be the outcome. Carmon did not want him. She had made that obvious, hadn’t she?

  After asking Allana for the first dance, Edmund had retired to the shadows simply to watch the two women. He told himself it was to protect his future bride. She was a highly sought after woman. He needed to be aware of his competition. But his eyes unwillingly focused on Carmon Davenhue. He watched her from those shadows, hidden from her view, or so he thought until her own eyes fell upon him. He did not care that she caught him staring. Perhaps she would tell Allana, and Allana would refuse his offer of marriage.

  He waited for Carmon to turn from him as she always did. Time seemed to stand still. She did not turn. He was close enough he could see the sharp inhalation of breath she took when she spied him watching her. And then she smiled the most breath taking, tender smile he’d ever seen.

  Oh, how he wanted to court her! If only she hadn’t shunned him. A sudden thought occurred to him. What if he was mistaken? Allana was so quick to step in. He truly didn’t have a chance to gauge Carmon’s reaction to him. He tried to remember that day. He tried to remember her reaction when he was announced as her visitor. She’d seemed stunned, even speechless. That is when Allana stepped in. And instead of leaving as he should have and come back another time, he’d lingered. Now he found himself tied to Allana instead of the one he truly wanted.

  He needed to propose. It was the proper thing to do. But all he could think on was that smile Carmon had graced him with earlier. What did it mean?

  The orchestra stopped. His heart sank. It was time to find Allana.

  * * *

  Allana scanned the dance floor for Lucas. She needed to find him. Surely he would wish to dance with her at least once. She wanted to dance with him. She wanted to be with him. But what did he want? He’d danced with Carmon three times! Was he smitten with her friend? Could Allana find a way to win his heart and send Carmon back to Edmund?

  Allana’s mind jumped around frantically as she searched for Lucas. The orchestra stopped, and she frowned in disappointment. Now she would have to wait for her dance with him. Perhaps she could find him and walk with him during the break. She would have to find a way to get him to ask her though. She couldn’t be that forward.

  “Allana, would you walk with me? There is something I would like to discuss with you.” It was Edmund.

  No! She thought to herself irritably. She wanted to walk with Lucas, not Edmund. “I would be delighted to,” she replied sweetly, not conveying her irritation.

  They walked in silence as he guided her to a secluded area of the house. He sat her down on a small bench, sitting next to her, holding her hand in his.

  “Allana, I think you know I have…,” he paused as though searching for the right words, “feelings for you.”

  Oh no! She panicked. Please no. It is too soon!

  “And I think you have…feelings for me in return.” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. Then he groaned and stood, pacing back and forth.

  “Edmund? Are you ill?” Allana asked innocently. Please be ill. You are meant for Carmon, not me. She needed more time.

  He shook his head. “No, no. I…,” he paused, staring at her strangely. “I think I’m in love with Carmon,” he blundered. He looked utterly dazed by what he’d just admitted.

  Allana openly gaped at him. “What?”

  Edmund looked horrified. “I…I….”

  “You love her? Wait! You love her! This is wonderful news!” Allana exclaimed. She jumped up and hugged him tightly. She pulled away and sighed in relief. “Oh, Edmund. I thought you were going to propose, and I knew I couldn’t say yes,” Allana confessed.

  “You seem relieved,” Edmund stated in confusion. “You’re not angry?”

  Allana laughed. “Of course not. I’ve been trying to find a way to force the two of you together since I ruined your original attempt.”

  “Ruined? No, Carmon shunned me. She has no interest in me,” he stated.

  “Yes, ruined. And the other is quite false. She has no interest in anyone but you. She simply doesn’t know how to show it. She is very shy, Edmund.”

  “She can barely look at me without turning away. How is that being shy?” he argued.

  “She is overly so when you are around. She cannot look at you for fear you will see how much she fancies you. She cannot speak for fear you will find her foolish and wish nothing more to do with her. Simply put, she struggles profusely when in your presence and cannot be herself,” Allana explained.

  “She did not seem to struggle with Lucas Hoffman tonight,” Edmund said darkly.

  “She doesn’t care for Lucas as she does you,” Allana began, praying she was right. “In all honesty, I have never seen her act toward another the way she does you. It’s a sure sign she feels much for you, Edmund.”

  He exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair. “If what you say is true, then what am I to do?”

  “Dance with her tonight. I will find a way home early so as not to interfere anymore, and you will court her without another around…or at least without another too close to interfere with conversation. It will force her to speak with you. Had I realized her feelings for you, I would have excused myself when you came calling those two months ago. This, I fear, is my fault.”

  He laughed. “Your fault? No, I shouldn’t have tried to court you when my feelings were elsewhere.”

  Allana smiled. “I encouraged it.”

  “Then we are at a draw.”

  “So it seems. What do we do now?” Allana asked.

  “First we must get Hoffman away from Carmon. I fear he’s taken an interest in her,” Edmund said rather fiercely.

  Allana laughed. “I will take care of him, but what of us? How are we to seem to end our courtship? Perhaps we were not truly courting. After all, Carmon has been our chaperone in most instances. Perhaps we could claim you were truly trying to court her, yet I continued to get in the way. I have been known to be overprotective of her.”

  Edmund rubbed his nose purposefully. “I can attest to that. We could claim you were testing me to see where my true feelings lie.”

  “Ah, yes, a test. Hmm. But we must bring Carmon in on this as well. How are we to do that without making her feel foolish?” Allana asked.

  “Find a way for me to speak to her alone. I will trust your words and confess the depths of my feelings.” He took a steadying breath.

  “I’ll bring her to you here. Wait for us,” Allana ordered.

  * * *

  Lucas escorted Carmon back into the ballroom where they were intercepted by none other than Allana.

  “Allana,” he said in surprise. “What a—”

  “Hello Lucas. I would truly love a chance to visit with you. Would you be willing to escort me home after I speak with Carmon in private?” Allana asked sweetly.

  Lucas stared at her in astonishment. That was quite forward. He hadn’t predicted this. “Of course. It would be my pleasure.”

  Allana flashed him a smile. “Thank you.” She turned her attention to Carmon who was scanning the dance floor for someone.

  She’d been doing so frequently throughout the night. After a bit of prodding, Lucas discovered for whom she continued to search: Edmund Russell, the same fool who had occupied most of Allana’s time thus far. Lucas had the good fortune that Carmon turned into quite a gossip once alone. She told him all he needed to know about Allana and Edmund; and then he pried her little secret from her, as well as some other useful information. Edmund was courting Allana. Allana did not want
Edmund. Carmon did. Allana spoke often of Lucas. She would not settle on a suitor, and after seeing Allana’s reaction toward Lucas earlier, Carmon suspected he just might be the reason why. It was fantastic information, and it meant Lucas’s job was going to be easier than he had imagined. He’d assumed he was going to have to steal Allana from Edmund, but if Allana didn’t even want Edmund and possibly still wanted Lucas, there would be no stealing involved. Of course, that meant it wouldn’t be as challenging, but each time he looked at Allana, challenging became less and less appealing. He simply wanted her, and the sooner the better.

  “Carmon, I need to speak to you about something,” Allana said. “Will you come with me?”

  Carmon looked rather worried, and Lucas could only guess why. Edmund had proposed for certain. So there would still be some challenge.

  “Yes, of course. Thank you so much for this night, Lucas,” Carmon said with sincerity.

  “It has been a pleasure, Carmon.” He bowed to her, receiving a curtsy in reply.

  “Wait for me outside in twenty minutes?” Allana asked him.

  Lucas nodded. Things were finally moving in the direction he desired.

  * * *

  Carmon took a deep breath and followed Allana out of the room. Her heart was frantic. Was her hope ended at last? Was Edmund officially out of her reach? Lucas had said not to give up. He’d said to be patient, and soon Edmund would come to her. Did he know something she did not? She could stand it no longer.

  “Allana, what is this about?” Carmon asked.

  “I cannot explain. You must trust me,” her friend replied. She looked back at Carmon pleadingly.

  Carmon sighed. She followed for a moment longer and stopped. “I cannot go further without knowing. Did he propose?” Her heart pounded hard as she waited for the answer.

  Allana smiled. “No, but he confessed something to me that was quite pleasing.”

  “Oh,” was all Carmon could say in reply. She began following Allana again, but her mind paid no heed to where they were going. He confessed something? Did he tell her he loved her? Her heart tore at the thought. What would she do if Allana married the man she loved?

  Suddenly, Allana stopped. “I told her nothing,” she said to the shadows.

  “Allana? Who are you speaking to?” Carmon asked.

  “Trust me,” Allana whispered in return. She stepped behind Carmon and shoved her forward.

  “Allana, what is the meaning of,” Carmon’s eyes found Edmund coming forth from those shadows, “this,” she finished in a whisper. She panicked and whirled around to hide behind her friend. Allana was gone. Carmon blinked several times. She left her? She left her here, alone with him? Why?

  “Carmon?” Edmund’s voice said quietly.

  He said her name with such care it brought pleasure to her soul. How could she not turn toward him? Instinctively, she did and glanced up at him briefly before looking away. She couldn’t meet his eyes. Already she was being far bolder than ever before.

  A small sigh escaped his lips. “Carmon, please look at me,” he whispered.

  Her cheeks were red, she knew. Her stomach fluttered violently, and her eyes darted everywhere at once. But finally, she did as he asked. She looked up at him, and he smiled. He was closer than she realized, very close actually. He touched her cheek, and she inhaled sharply. What was he doing?

  “Carmon, I must confess something to you.”

  She nodded numbly, eyes as wide as saucers.

  “I courted Allana unfairly. Will you forgive me?”

  She didn’t understand. What did he mean? “I…,” his thumb moved over her cheek, and she lost her thought. She realized she was breathing quite raggedly.

  He cocked his head to the side and smiled as if seeing something for the first time.

  Her cheeks burned wickedly. She was embarrassing herself. Her eyes darted away and she took a step backward. “I do not understand,” she whispered, unable to look at him.

  He stepped with her, and she found his hand beneath her chin. He gently raised her face upward. Her body shivered in pleasure from his touch.

  “You do not understand because I have not explained. I courted Allana unjustly because my feelings were elsewhere. Will you forgive me?” he asked.

  Will she forgive him? Why did he need her forgiveness? It was Allana he should be begging forgiveness from, not her. “Yes,” she squeaked.

  He smiled in relief.

  “But…,” Carmon began in a whisper. She swallowed, trying to wet her very dry mouth. “Yes?” he asked.

  “Should you not…be asking…Allana this instead…instead of me?” she stammered.

  “I did. I confessed this to her this night, and she has encouraged me to seek the one I truly desire,” he explained. “She even agreed to help me.” He was staring at Carmon meaningfully.

  “Oh,” was all she could say. He was telling her something, and she couldn’t quite grasp what that something was. Perhaps if he wasn’t so close and his hand wasn’t resting under her chin, she would be able to think properly.

  Edmund laughed quietly. He cupped her face gently in both hands. “Carmon, have you not guessed who that someone is?”

  “Who who is?” Carmon asked breathlessly. Her heart was beating wildly, too wildly. It was so quiet in this hallway; surely he could hear it thumping.

  “Whom it is I desire,” he answered.

  “Oh.” He desired someone aside from Allana?

  “It’s you, Carmon.”

  “Me?” she gasped in astonishment. “But Allana is—”

  “Not you,” he supplied. “My heart is yours, Carmon. It always has been. But it lost hope, and I settled for another. When you graced me with your smile earlier, my heart soared. Hope returned.” His eyes seemed to memorize her face. “I…I’m in love with you,” he whispered. “Please, allow me to court you properly. Tell me my hope was not in vain.”

  Was she gaping? She closed her mouth then opened it to say something, but simply stared. He was in love with her?

  He graced her with his beautiful smile, the one he’d given Allana earlier. Carmon felt like she just might melt right there. She was certain she swooned slightly.

  “No,” she finally said.

  His smile fell. “No?”

  “Your hope was not in vain,” she managed.

  A look of pure relief flooded his features. “So I may try to win your heart?”

  “Edmund, you already have it.” She inhaled sharply as his lips met hers. She’d never been kissed before, and it was the most blissful thing she had ever experienced.

  He pulled away, looking down at her. He looked as if he’d just won a most coveted prize. He grinned, picked her up and twirled her around. A laugh escaped her lips, and her heart soared with joy. Edmund was in love with her!

  “May I occupy the rest of your evening, my Lady?” Edmund asked, setting her down gently and offering her his hand.

  Carmon smiled in delight. “Yes, please do.” She took his hand and allowed him to scoop it up into the crook of his elbow.

  “Then come with me, for there is still half a night of dancing and amusement to be had and a room full of gossipy people waiting for something new to talk about.”

  Carmon laughed. “What will they say about this?”

  “I’m not certain, but I have what I want. Rumors cannot touch me now.” He eyed her purposefully, brushing her lips once more with his before guiding her from the hall and toward the ballroom.

  Chapter 4

  Lucas found Allana wandering about outside. “You will catch a cold out here if you’re not careful,” he said as he watched her. She whirled around in surprise and smiled once she saw him.

  “It would be your fault. It has been far longer than twenty minutes, Lucas. Must you keep a lady waiting?” she teased.

  “Lady? I see no lady. I see a goddess in place of the little girl I once knew,” he said as he came toward her.

  She laughed out loud, shaking her head. “Flattere
r.”

  “I am simply stating the truth,” he said. “And I believe several of the young men inside would agree with me. You have grown into a very lovely young woman.”

  Her cheeks reddened, and she bowed her head humbly. “Thank you.”

  “You are welcome.” He was quite close to her now. “Here,” he said, reaching around her and pulling the sides of her cloak over her shoulders. Her breath came quicker with his touch.

  “Again, thank you,” she whispered.

  She stared up at him. She was mesmerized already. He could easily kiss her. It would be too easy.

  “Shall we?” He offered her his arm.

  “Yes,” she said, taking it.

  They walked in silence for a moment. “So, what drives you to leave such a festive ball?” he asked casually.

  Allana smiled to herself. “I needed to be out of the way.”

  “Out of the way? Care to elaborate?” Rumors were already spreading within, but Lucas wished to hear Allana’s side of the story.

  “Edmund needed it,” she answered with a pleasant sigh.

  “He needed it? In what manner? Did he disrespect you? Do I need to go back in there and call him out?” he asked. He knew he did not. The newest rumors were saying Edmund and Carmon had been secretly courting this entire time. Allana had simply been at Carmon’s side when he came calling. Everyone knew Allana was Carmon’s closest friend, and most knew Carmon was a timid soul. It had appeared Edmund was courting Allana when in actuality his intentions had been for Carmon all along. Allana had simply insisted on testing those intentions first, and once she approved of Edmund, she’d acted as chaperone and mediator for her dear friends.

  “Come now, Lucas. I may look dainty, but I can still take care of myself. Besides, he’s too much of a gentleman to do anything disrespectful,” Allana said with a laugh.

  Lucas smiled at her. The words of the feisty girl she used to be, but spoken with the poise of a lady. She was the same, yet she was so different. The spunk was still there, but it was hidden behind her delicate, graceful manners. She may possibly turn out to be the best conquest he would ever have. His smile deepened at that thought.