The Lady and the Earl

by Clark, Diedre

  She smiled wickedly at him, making him wonder what she was planning. Then she stood up in the water, giving Declan a clear view of her glorious body. He was a little late in noticing the giant rock she hauled out of the water with her.

  “What the devil—,” he started to say as she raised the rock high above her head.

  Declan watched in disbelief as his beautiful, slender wife heaved the rock in front of her. At first he thought she was throwing the thing at him, but if she was, she was a terrible aim. Instead the rock dropped short, landing right at the edge of the lake, sending a large flurry of water soaring in his direction. He rolled to the side, trying to dodge the cascade, but it was too late. Cold water splashed across his bare chest and back, soaking his trousers and causing him to inhale deeply from the shock of it.

  * * *

  Allana cried out in delight as she watched her husband shrink away from the cold water. Now was her chance to make a break for her clothes. She burst toward them, tripping from the mass of the water, yet she continued to crawl and scamper toward shore in hopes of obtaining in the least her shift.

  Declan was drenched and looked rather shocked by what had just occurred. Allana saw him glance up at her in disbelief. When he saw her tearing through the water toward her clothes, he jumped to his feet and snatched them up, dangling them in front of him.

  “Very nice distraction,” he said with amusement.

  She stopped in her tracks and stared coldly at him. Why was he doing this?

  He tossed her clothes to the side. “If you want them so badly, you can have them. But you’re still going to have to come and get them.”

  She stared at him, unsure what to do next. It was too late to try to hide her naked body; so, resolutely, she stood up tall and proud and tried to gracefully walk the remaining distance to her clothes. She felt completely humiliated, but she wouldn’t allow him to see it. She was determined to show him he could not push her around.

  She could feel his eyes on her. She refused to look at him. It was difficult enough putting one foot in front of the other with her head held high. She felt too exposed and indecent. Why hadn’t she just stayed in the water? She knew her face burned red from humiliation, but she couldn’t stop now. Her clothes were right in front of her. Oh, but they still seemed so far away! This was the longest distance she had ever walked!

  Finally, she was within reach of her clothes, but before she could pick them up, Declan clasped her hand in his, preventing her from further action. She stood as defiantly as she could, trying not to panic. She was losing confidence quickly. She was too vulnerable. He could have his way with her, and there was probably nothing she could do about it. Fear spread through her as she remembered the abuse she’d suffered from Lucas. She looked into Declan’s deep, blue eyes with uncertainty and saw warmth there that spread to her own freezing body. He was nothing like Lucas.

  Declan would never hurt me, she realized, softening under his gaze.

  Suddenly, she felt the strongest need to be close to him and feel his touch on her cold skin. She wanted him, wanted him to love her in all ways. She felt her cheeks redden. Could he see the desire within her eyes? Could he see how much she yearned for him to claim her? Quickly, she looked away from his searching gaze. Rejection now would be unbearable.

  “Allana,” she heard him whisper.

  How could she tell him? How could she explain how much she needed him? She looked up into his eyes once more. “Declan, I—”

  His mouth covered hers, silencing her words in a wild, passionate kiss that threatened her sanity. No thoughts could emerge from her helpless mind, and all she could feel was the undying need to be close to him. She stepped into his arms eagerly, melding her body to his, and lost herself to the passion.

  Chapter 27

  Declan held Allana in his arms, caressing her gently, savoring the bliss they had just shared. He was in awe. Making love to her had proven her virtue. The evidence was clear. He was her first, not Lucas. She was his and his alone. He laughed out loud.

  “What are you laughing at?” she asked suspiciously, raising herself up on her elbow to look at him. Her lovely hair spilled down her shoulders and to the ground.

  “I was laughing at how foolish I’ve been these past few weeks,” he said, leaning in and kissing her gently.

  “And how have you been foolish?” she asked curiously.

  He looked at her seriously, “Oh, Allana. I’ve been a jealous lout, and I’ve treated you very poorly. I am deeply sorry. I thought…,” he trailed off, unable to finish.

  “It is forgotten, Declan. There’s no need to apologize,” she replied quietly, trying to brush aside his apology.

  “That’s very kind of you. But truly, Allana, do you think you will ever be able to forgive me for the pain I’ve caused you? It was unfair of me, and I’m truly sorry for it,” he finished with feeling.

  She looked at him with contemplation. “I don’t know,” she began, and he nodded sadly in understanding. “You may have to repeat the past hour before I can forgive you.” She smiled shyly at him, blushing furiously when his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  He grinned widely. “I’m certain I can accommodate you,” he said gruffly, rolling her over onto her back and kissing her hard. “It might not be a full hour this time, though.” She giggled at his words then sighed in pleasure as he proceeded to make love to her for the second time that day.

  * * *

  They slept through lunch in each other’s arms while their horses grazed along the lake’s edge. Finally, Allana woke, feeling overcome with emotion when she felt him lying next to her. Was he really here? She leaned up on her elbow to watch him and felt a flash of love pour through her. She belonged to him completely now. A sigh of joy escaped her lips as she recalled the earlier events of the day. It had been everything she’d hoped for and more.

  She looked down at Declan again. He truly was handsome. She picked up a blade of grass and tickled his ear, giggling as he groggily swatted at it. She moved the blade across his face, getting the same response. What else could she do to wake him? Leaning close to his body, she blew gently into his ear then leaned in and nibbled the lobe.

  “Keep that up, and you may get more than you bargained for,” he said.

  She giggled and climbed to her feet, watching him for any movement. He was still too tired to open his eyes to discover her plot. She grinned as she tiptoed into the water.

  “Where did you go?” he asked, feeling for her blindly.

  She bent and splashed water his direction. It sprayed across his bare body as she’d hoped, causing him to shoot upright with a yelp. That opened his eyes!

  Allana laughed relentlessly from the edge of the lake.

  “Oh. We’ll see who has the last laugh!” He pounced toward her, receiving a squeal in reply as she dove toward the middle of the lake. He chased until he caught her, picking her squirming, laughing body up out of the water and dunking her into the lake’s depths. She emerged sputtering but still laughing. He grinned at her as he moved toward her.

  She eyed him playfully, the laughter dying down. “See what you’ve missed these past four weeks?” she teased.

  “Yes, and I’m regretting it dearly,” he replied as he grew close enough to pull her toward him.

  They frolicked for what seemed like hours before hunger finally overcame his need for her.

  “I’m famished,” he said kissing her one last time. “Let’s return to the manor and get some supper.”

  “Are you forgetting something?” she asked lightly. “Annabel packed me a lunch for an army.”

  “Yes, but I want a hot, filling meal that includes meat,” he replied. “Besides, it’s getting late, and I don’t desire to stay the night out of doors.”

  “Very well. Lead on and I will follow you where ever you go, my Lord,” she teased. Deep down the truth of those words played across her mind. She would follow this man to the ends of the earth if he asked her to. She loved him with every ou
nce of her being.

  He dressed quickly then helped her with her own clothes. They led their horses up the path and through the stream. Declan removed the foliage from the path and allowed her to exit before following behind her and replacing the brambles. He stared out into the trees and smiled.

  “You know, I have always thought there was somewhere on my land you liked to visit. I even searched for it once, but I never thought to look beyond the briars.” He glanced her direction, and she smiled in return.

  “I suppose you needed to be a curious, young girl to discover it,” she answered.

  “Indeed. Is that where you were coming from when you assaulted me?” He winked at her. Allana blushed crimson, and Declan laughed in pleasure.

  “You do realize I avoided you as much as possible after that day, don’t you?” she told him frankly.

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You did? Why would you do such a thing?”

  “You thought I was a boy,” she admitted. “I…I had to prove I was not before I could…face you again. It was unfortunate you stumbled upon me when you did the second time we met.”

  “Why is that unfortunate? I didn’t think it was.”

  She smiled. “I didn’t behave very ladylike. That is why. You saw me at my worst.”

  “Yes, and I’m glad of it. You’ve never tried to pretend you were anyone except who you are. That, I believe, is what has always drawn me to you. I have met my share of beautiful women, Allana, but none as honest in her character as you. I simply wish I’d held onto that memory when I began hearing the rumors,” he said sadly.

  She watched him uncomfortably as obvious torment crossed his features. He truly looked pained, and Allana had nothing she wished to say. She wanted to know the details of the rumors but dared not ask. She also wanted to tell him the truth of it all, but she could not form the words.

  He looked her way, wiping away his torment and smiling at her. “Come,” he said, helping her onto her horse. “I must eat something before tonight, or I’ll not make it.” He mounted his own horse as he spoke. They began riding toward home.

  “What’s happening tonight?” she asked innocently.

  He smiled at her devilishly. “If you don’t already know, then you shall just have to wait and find out.”

  “Oh,” she replied. “Oh!” she said again as understanding set in.

  He laughed heartily. “Ah, my naïve angel, you truly are beautiful when you blush.” Their horses were close enough he was able to reach out and pull her hand to his lips.

  “And you are embarrassing me,” she answered with a smile as he released her hand.

  His own smile slipped. “Don’t ever leave me,” he said suddenly.

  “I would never want to. I would stay by your side always if you’d let me.”

  “Would you?” he asked. He studied her, a pained look on his face. “What happened, Allana?”

  Her heart sank. She knew he would ask her eventually, but she was not ready to answer it yet. “What do you mean?” she asked him quietly.

  “You know what I mean. How were you injured? Where were you? I need to know.”

  She closed her eyes as the pain of that answer hit her. “I…I was…we had just returned home…after the celebrations. It was quite late. I…retired…to my chambers…and…,” she began hyperventilating. A lump formed in her throat as she recalled the horrors of that night. “I…I cannot. I’m sorry. It hurts too much.” She looked at him pleadingly.

  “That’s what you meant the day I returned. You could not tell me your story.” He shook his head. “I thought you were telling me you could not pretend to have feelings for me any longer.” He looked frustrated. “I don’t understand. Is there anything you can tell me?”

  She looked away from him. She wanted to tell him everything. Why couldn’t she?

  “Were you meeting with Lucas? Did he ask you to meet with him?” he asked quietly.

  “No.”

  “Then what? Why is it so painful to speak of?” He studied her again. “Were you running from me?”

  Her head shot up, and she looked at him with conviction. “No. I was not running from you. I wanted to marry you.” He looked doubtful, so she continued. “Declan,” she reached out to touch his arm. They both halted. He was being stubborn and not looking at her. She reached up and touched his face, saying his name again. “Declan, I have wanted you since I was fourteen. I have never wanted anyone else. And that is the truth.”

  Declan grasped Allana’s hand and pulled it to his lips, kissing the palm softly. “I’m sorry for doubting you. It pains me not knowing,” he admitted. “But I will wait until you’re ready to tell me.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, tears entering her eyes. “That means more than you can know.”

  “Oh Allana,” he whispered in return. He pulled her off of Lancelot and sat her in front of him on Colonel so he could kiss her long and hard. She melted in his embrace.

  It was some time later before they began riding again. And it was dark by the time they got their horses unsaddled and situated back in the stables at Westbrook.

  They walked hand in hand to the house, enjoying the night air together. The day had started out so miserably only to end as the happiest day of Allana’s life. She smiled as she finally felt joy for the future she would share with the man by her side.

  Chapter 28

  Annabel watched Maggie sneak away in the shadows of darkness. Apparently the girl did not want anyone knowing she was leaving. The old woman sighed. What did she care if the girl had a lover? She would keep her mouth shut. After all, it was hard to find someone who worked as hard as that girl did.

  Annabel walked away from the window and headed to bed.

  * * *

  Maggie saddled one of the spare horses and rode into the darkness toward the Hoffman Estates. Lucas would be furious with the news she had for him.

  The ride went far too quickly, and before long Maggie was sneaking through the secret passageways Lucas had shown her. He’d told her to use them when she came so no one would witness her comings and goings. They led underground from the outside gates to the house’s storage room. From there she needed to sneak to the library and take another passageway that led upstairs to Lucas’s bedchambers. She’d done this several times since she’d begun working at Westbrook. She was Lucas’s spy and his lover. It shamed her to no end, but she was in love with him. She could not help but hope he would come to love her as well.

  Quietly, Maggie slipped through the house and up the secret passageway to Lucas’s room. She pushed open the mantle and entered hesitantly. Lucas was lounging on his bed with his shirt off and a bottle of wine in his right hand. He was a terrible drunk, and Maggie had bad news for him.

  “Lucas,” she said, stepping into the light. “I…I have some news for you.”

  He leaned up on an elbow to look at her. “Come here,” he commanded, motioning her to the bed.

  She hesitated before obeying. He slowly sat up as she came toward him. She knew what he wanted as he leered at her. She knew it would be quick tonight. He didn’t look to be in good spirits.

  After she began working for Lord Cunningham, Lucas began treating her poorly, taking her when he wanted and even hitting her once in a while when he was drunk and she had bad news. If she threatened to never come again, he would woo her with kind words and make love to her like she was his only care in the world. It was moments like those that kept her coming back to him. And now she was pregnant with his child, but that was not the news she was afraid to tell him.

  He was quick with her, as she knew he would be. She felt so worthless afterward. She needed to find a new path in life, a path void of Lucas. Would Lord Cunningham keep her on when he discovered she was with child? Could she hide from Lucas behind the walls of Westbrook?

  “Now, what is it you’ve come to tell me?” Lucas asked her.

  “I…well…Lady Allana and…,” Maggie trailed off, sighing nervously. “You’re not going to
like it, Lucas.” She didn’t want to tell him. She feared telling him.

  Lucas smiled a most charming, sensitive smile. He leaned up on his elbow and kissed her shoulder. He brushed her hair gently with his fingers. “Tell me everything, my love,” he said tenderly.

  She hated when he did this. If she ever seemed unsure of her purpose, he charmed her with sweet words and gentle caresses, loving her as if he hadn’t a care in the world but her. It usually worked too, but tonight was different. There was a darkness to him tonight even his charm could not hide, and her news was not good.

  “All will be well, Maggie. Unburden yourself, and you will feel better.”

  She let out another sigh, a sigh of resignation. She’d chosen to come. If she wanted to leave this house again, she would have to tell him what she’d come to tell him. “Very well. Lady Allana went somewhere a few days ago and Lord Cunningham followed her.” Maggie swallowed hard, not wanting to tell Lucas the rest.

  “Go on,” Lucas said hollowly.

  “They returned together after dark, and…and she’s been spending her nights with him in his chambers since,” Maggie finished quickly. She braced herself for Lucas’s anger.

  “What!” Lucas exclaimed. “Are you certain?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied meekly.

  “How could this have happened? Have you been doing your job or frolicking around?” He slapped her hard.

  Maggie cried out from his slap, tears threatening to fall as she shrank away from his anger. “I’ve been telling everyone the things you’ve told me to say. I’ve told the other maids how Lady Allana has been coming to you every day on her morning rides. I told them about the accident, and how she’d been running off to elope with you. I even thought she was coming here to you the day he followed her,” she panted, praying he wouldn’t hit her again. He eyed her dangerously. “I’m sorry, Lucas.”

  “You have to fix this, Maggie,” Lucas said to her. “You have to find a way to fix this.”