The Lady and the Earl

by Clark, Diedre

  “I’m marrying her in five weeks. And four of those weeks I will be in London. For both of our benefits, I am trying to get to know her better. It is strictly business,” Declan argued.

  Connor nodded. “Of course.”

  Before Declan could retort, Allana burst into the room wearing the green riding dress she’d worn the day of the hunt. She looked beautiful. Her face was flushed from the ride, and her hair was pulled back in a long, thick braid that hung over her left shoulder…a braid that was wet. Declan scowled in disapproval. Not only had she gone for her ride without him, but she’d also gone swimming without him.

  “Connor, I had the most enjoyable—Oh! I didn’t realize we had company.” She blushed furiously as her eyes fell on Declan. She shoved her wet braid behind her back as though trying to hide it from view. “Lord Cunningham! What a surprise. What are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Waiting for you,” Declan said, trying not to sound irritated. He rose from his chair and walked toward her. “Since you left without me this morning, I was hoping you would walk with me through your lovely garden.” For the first time since they had met, he didn’t scold her for using formalities instead of his first name.

  “I would be delighted to, but could I ask you to postpone it for a few moments while I freshen up a bit?”

  “I don’t mind waiting,” Declan replied, smiling tightly.

  Allana blushed. Obviously she could sense his disapproval.

  “Declan, I thought that was your voice I heard,” Lord Tananguard said as he and Lilly entered the sitting room where Connor, Declan, and Allana were. “How are you?”

  “Well, thank you. And yourselves?” Declan asked politely.

  “Still pregnant, but doing well,” Lilly replied pleasantly, rubbing her belly tenderly.

  “Declan has asked me to walk with him,” Allana explained.

  “Oh, how nice,” Lilly said through an approving smile.

  “Yes, but I need to freshen up. I just got back from one of my rides. Might you assist me, Lilly?” Allana asked sweetly.

  Lilly looked delighted by the request. “Of course.”

  “Thank you,” Allana said, backing out of the room, and Declan could only guess why. Her rump was still drying. He tried not to grin, but a small smile played across his lips as he watched her. “I will be swift, I promise,” she added before disappearing out the door.

  “I wonder where she goes,” Connor said curiously.

  “Who knows? I’ve gone riding with her for the past six days, and each day she has taken me somewhere different,” Declan replied still feeling frustrated with the idea of her swimming without him. What frustrated him most wasn’t the fact she’d gone swimming alone, but the fact she’d gone without him. He hadn’t once been able to get her to join him on the days she’d taken him to different swimming holes along the river. Then the day he cannot join her, is the day she decides to get in the water. He frowned irritably.

  “Ha, she knows this land too well. She’s been exploring it for years. At least now she does it in style. When she was younger, she was a mess,” Lord Tananguard began. “Always traipsing around like the boys, coming back covered in dirt or mud.”

  “Father, I don’t think Declan wants to hear about Allana’s past,” Connor said.

  “No, this is quite interesting. She told me a little once, but nothing since. Please go on,” Declan said, smiling and finally finding some relief from the frustrations he’d been feeling. Finally, he would hear more about Allana’s wayward past.

  * * *

  Allana hurried up the stairs to her room with Lilly following close behind.

  “Slow down. I’m not as young as you, and I’m six months pregnant,” Lilly panted.

  “I cannot, Lilly. I told him I would hurry.”

  “Then I will meet you in your room,” came the reply as Allana rushed up the remaining stairs and down the hall to her room.

  She stripped off her clothes once inside, not bothering to close the door behind her, and put on dry undergarments. She searched through her dresses, looking for something different, and found a light blue gown she couldn’t remember ever wearing. It must have been one Lilly had given her years ago on the day Allana had decided to become a lady. She’d burnt all of her trousers, leaving her with nothing to wear. Lilly had provided several lovely dresses for Allana to wear until new ones could be made for her. Surely this was one of them.

  It was a lovely dress fit for spring. It had a squared neckline that would show off her sleek neck and shorter sleeves that would be perfect for the warm spring day outside. It was actually quite beautiful. Why had she never worn it?

  “This will do,” she said aloud, throwing the dress over her head and sliding it down into place. She was fumbling with the ties in the back when Lilly finally arrived.

  “You could have closed the door,” Lilly said in disgust as she closed it herself.

  “Oh, Lilly. Please help me with this. I cannot get the thing fastened,” Allana pleaded, ignoring Lilly’s comment.

  Lilly waddled over to Allana, purposefully taking her time.

  “Hurry, Lilly. I don’t want him to wait too long.”

  “Quit fidgeting, then,” Lilly scolded as she assumed command of the dress. “You really shouldn’t seem so eager. Make the man wait.” She nimbly fastened the dress and helped Allana slip a pair of matching slippers on her feet. “Oh my. You look absolutely marvelous. I knew this dress would fit you perfectly one day,” she said, examining Allana when she was done.

  “You don’t think it’s too indecent, do you?” The dress flowed down her curves quite beautifully but was snug around her bosom, cutting much lower than any other dress she owned. It enhanced and exposed her endowed chest far more than she was used to. Allana frowned. “I feel like I’m about to spill out of it,” she added while examining her reflection in her large, full-length mirror. She tried to adjust the top a little, but without success. Hmm, she thought. It really was an exquisite dress, if only it wasn’t so revealing.

  “I didn’t even notice, but if it makes you uncomfortable, we could find something else,” Lilly suggested.

  “No, this will do. I don’t have time to find something else. He’s waiting.”

  Lilly rolled her eyes. “Then go sit over there, so we can get that hair of yours to look somewhat decent,” she commanded, gently shoving Allana over to her vanity. Lilly sat Allana down in the chair facing the mirror and began undoing the wet braid. “You know we have bathtubs. I will never understand why you insist on swimming in the river.”

  “I find the cool water to be quite refreshing,” Allana replied as Lilly pinned her hair up into a loose bun, leaving wisps of curls along her neck. “Thank you, Lilly,” Allana said as she rose to leave.

  “Wait, I’m not finished,” Lilly tried to say as she gathered up an elegant pearl necklace, a pretty lace shawl, and a petite day bonnet, but Allana kissed her on the cheek and rushed out of the room before Lilly could force her back into the chair.

  Allana had been true to her word and been gone only a short while. When she entered the room, the men stood and stared at her. Each one wore a different expression on his face. Connor’s was one of disapproval, her father’s was one that said he wanted to usher her back upstairs to change into something more decent, and Declan’s was one of wide-eyed surprise. It was his that caused her cheeks to turn crimson.

  * * *

  Declan gaped at Allana in that gown which brought out her eyes and auburn hair. The square neckline cut low, showing off her lovely, honey-colored skin and perfect…. He forced himself to look away from her endowed bosom. That would not do. He felt desire burn through his body. Damn girl, he thought. Did she torment him like this on purpose? Tempt him with what he and she both knew he could not have?

  He cleared his throat when he realized he was staring and smiled pleasantly. “Are you ready then?” he asked, thankful his voice sounded normal and didn’t reveal the heat that had suddenly surged throu
gh him.

  “Yes. Thank you for waiting.”

  He held out his arm for her to take. Everyone stared at them expectantly. He heard Connor say under his breath, “Strictly business, aye?” And for the first time since meeting Allana, Declan felt uneasy to be alone with her. He was tempted to ask Connor to chaperone but knew it would sound suspicious. He didn’t want Allana to know of his indecent thoughts, so instead he smiled nervously to everyone, bowing politely.

  “We will be back later,” Allana said to her family, not noticing Declan’s odd behavior.

  He sighed with relief. For once it was nice having her take control of the situation. Aside from their first day together, she did it quite frequently around her family, and throughout the week it had actually aggravated Declan. He was the man; he was the one who was supposed to be leading her around. But today, like other days, he found her guiding him out of the sitting room and out of the house.

  They walked in silence. Declan was struggling to control the raging fire he felt blazing through his body while Allana seemed oblivious to the matter, simply enjoying the beautiful weather. Finally, Declan spoke.

  “How are you today?” he asked conversationally.

  “Well, thank you,” Allana said pleasantly. “And you? How have you been?”

  “As good as can be expected,” he replied. Considering the circumstances, he thought irritably as desire continued to roll through his body. He couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman the way he did Allana right then. Actually, it had been building all week. After Fredric had interrupted his last attempt at kissing Allana, Declan had forced himself to behave as a gentleman would. He resisted the temptation to touch her in any way that might lead him to that desired kiss. There was far too much time before their wedding day and far too many things that could happen between the two of them if he gave in and kissed her sweet lips. If he wanted to stay sane, he needed to keep his distance.

  Today that was proving difficult. The burning need to be close to her flared violently, begging him to end the agony within. He wanted greatly to pull her to him for so much more than just a simple kiss, yet he still had five more weeks before he could even contemplate the idea. He needed to push his desires aside and focus on something else.

  “How was your ride this morning?” he asked. If he got her talking, maybe he could be rid of this raging madness within.

  “Lovely. This time of year is always beautiful with the flowers blooming and the trees freshly budding,” came her sweet voice in reply.

  “Yes, I would have liked to have been there with you,” he said a bit resentfully. He still couldn’t believe she’d gone swimming without him. He would have liked to see her glide through the water. Suddenly, he pictured her swimming naked and groaned within. Why did he have to think of that? The desires he was trying to suppress came rushing back tenfold.

  “I waited for at least half an hour, and you didn’t show,” Allana defended, bringing him out of his inappropriate thoughts.

  “I was delayed. My secretary decided today was the day to discuss the details of the wedding. Apparently, he could not wait until this evening or tomorrow to hear what things he was responsible for arranging.” Of all the days, why did Johnston pick today?

  “You seem disappointed,” Allana said questioningly.

  “Well, of course I am. I have to leave for London the day after next, and I’m trying my damnedest to get to know you as much as possible before then. And he picks this morning to stop by and demand information. Why not tomorrow? Not only that, but he droned on and on. How hard is it to arrange the church and plan a party?” Declan asked in exasperation. He received her beautiful laugh in return that brought a smile to his lips.

  “Apparently it’s harder than either of us realize. Lilly’s been crazed all week already making plans for it. She keeps trying to get my opinion, but what do I know about weddings or parties?” Allana replied with a huff.

  “You’re going to have to learn, for I’m certain we’ll have a few parties ourselves, love,” Declan said. He hadn’t meant to call her love. It had simply slipped out. Not that it meant anything. It was just an endearment. Part of him believed that, but the other part was beginning to wonder how he truly felt about this woman by his side. He knew falling in love with her was possible, but could it happen so soon?

  As the week passed by, he began spending more and more time with her. At first it had just been the ride and a brief walk afterward. But each day he seemed to find some excuse to stay and simply be with her. She was enjoyable, and their conversations were actually enlightening. She talked politics, horses, hunting, and other pleasant subjects as well. To be able to have such diverse conversations with such a stunning woman was heaven. As his trip to London neared, his irritation and disappointment at having to go deepened. Before he’d met her, he had been looking forward to the trip. Now he wanted nothing to do with it. Could he be falling in love with this woman already?

  “Can I not enlist somebody else to do it for me, like your secretary?” she asked with a play pout.

  Her words brought him out of his thoughts. “My secretary? He would love that.”

  “So I suppose that is out of question,” came her disappointed reply.

  “No, I was serious. He would love that. Your only problem would be his insistence that you help.”

  She laughed. “I guess that’s better than planning one myself and failing miserably.”

  He smiled at her. This conversation should have been strange to him. A lady who did not want to throw a party? Unheard of! But after getting to know Allana and her unique ways, the things she was telling him were perfectly normal. It was marvelous. He could picture her following him out to work or accompanying him on a morning hunt or simply joining him for a nice afternoon horseback ride. She would do anything except the typical things women did.

  “What are your plans while you’re in London, my Lord?”

  Why did she insist on calling him that? He stopped walking, turned her toward him, and placed both hands on her shoulders. “Allana, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me my Lord?” he asked pointedly.

  She smiled playfully, and he realized she’d done it on purpose. “At least once more…my Lord.” Light danced in her eyes as she looked up at him.

  He frowned. She was toying with him. He wanted to laugh, but that plaguing desire to lean down and kiss her washed over him for the hundredth time that day. Damn it! Stop it! He shouted in his head.

  “Oh, Declan. If it makes you so angry, I’ll stop doing it,” Allana said lightheartedly. “I promise. You can stop scowling now.”

  “What? I’m not scowling, and if I was, it wasn’t at you,” Declan replied defensively.

  She giggled. “Not at me? Then at whom? I don’t know about you, but I don’t see anyone else about.”

  He looked around and realized she was right. They had walked to the rose garden and were very much alone. Just one kiss. One simple kiss.

  “I believe you’re right,” he said as he stepped purposefully toward her, moving one hand from her shoulder to the back of her neck. They were so close now; he could almost feel the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing increased.

  He studied her but a moment, eyes searching her face looking for anything that would tell him to stop his intended actions. Her smile had slipped, but what replaced it was nothing short of plain desire. She stood there expectantly, looking up at him as though waiting for him to finally kiss her. And so he did.

  It started innocently, a gentle touch of the lips, but when she parted her lips slightly, touching his face with a trembling hand and releasing a soft sigh of pleasure, the innocence slipped. Impulsively, he pulled her to him, deepening the kiss. Their lips moved together, melding and gliding, searching for more. Fire burned through him, fed violently by her eagerness. Why had he resisted this ecstasy for so long? Why hadn’t he taken her in his arms days ago and—

  Logic tried to force its way through that raging fire
that drove his need for her. There was a reason he hadn’t kissed her since the mud incident. He knew there was, but he couldn’t fathom what it was.

  They kissed almost savagely. She seemed as hungry for him as he was for her. One arm wrapped around the back of his neck to pull her tightly against him as her fingers snaked through his hair. His hands roamed greedily up her sides and down her back; anywhere and everywhere except for where he really wanted to place them.

  The two were a wild, tangled mess, but it was glorious!

  His eyes opened just enough to scan the area for a place to take her, to lay her down and—

  Again logic tried to force its way into his mind. This isn’t the way you want to do this! it seemed to say to him. Oh, but he wanted her! And he was certain she would let him—No! He couldn’t do this to her, not here, not now!

  He forced control, forced himself to slow down, forced his hand from her leg he had dragged up around his hip. It was difficult, damned difficult. And she seemed just as reluctant as him to end their moment of passion. But it had to be done! He would wait to have her until their wedding night!

  He held her close, breathing raggedly and felt her do the same. He pulled away just barely to look at her beautiful face and possibly brush her lips once more with his. Instead, he simply frowned at her. When did he pull her hair from the bun? “This will not do.”

  Her face paled, and she looked panic-stricken. “What?” she whispered in worry.

  “Your hair is a disaster! I don’t recall doing that to it,” he answered with a low laugh.

  Relief flooded her features with his words. She must have been thinking the worst possible thing. She fumbled with her hair to feel the tangled mess he had turned it to, and smiled. “No, I suppose this won’t do at all, will it?”

  He tucked a strand of it behind her ear simply to touch her face. “I cannot return you to the house in this condition. Can you fix it?”

  She giggled. “Of course I can. But first I’d better straighten yours.” Her eyes danced in delight as she ran her fingers through his hair in an attempt to lay it back in its original place, sending that heated fire through his veins again. The next few weeks were going to be torture for him.