What the Earl Needs Now (The Earls Next Door Book 2)

by Michelle Willingham

  “Take a footman with you,” her father warned. “And be back within two hours, or I will come to collect you.” Although his words were spoken calmly, Lily was well aware that Mr. Sinclair was an overprotective father.

  “So we shall.” Evangeline kissed him on the cheek. “Though we both know you will send three men to guard us. Goodbye, Father.”

  Lily gave a slight tug on the leash for Sebastian to join them, and the dog followed behind.

  “Thank you so much for coming to call,” Evangeline breathed. “I know Mother means well, but I have no desire to let Lord Burkham court me. The man is empty-headed and not at all suited to me.” Her friend stepped inside the carriage, arranging Annabelle at her feet. “Now tell me everything about Lord Arnsbury. Leave nothing out.”

  While Lily filled her in, Sebastian leaned his head outside the carriage, his enormous tongue lolling out. His ears flapped in the wind, and she held on to him to ensure that he didn’t go leaping out.

  When they reached Rotten Row, the carriage slowed to a stop. Evangeline disembarked with the help of a footman, but when she set Annabelle down upon the pathway, the dog lay down on the ground and did nothing. Sebastian, in contrast, was anxious to be off, after being confined indoors for so long.

  “Would you care to trade your dog for mine?” her friend suggested. “Mine has become terribly lazy.”

  In answer, Lily held out her leash. Evangeline traded with her, and Lily picked up the cocker spaniel for a closer look. She was indeed plump, but the reason for her excess flesh was exactly the reason she suspected. The dog was quite pregnant.

  “Evangeline, I believe Annabelle—” Before she could finish her sentence, Sebastian perked up and began sniffing the ground. He pulled hard on the lead before he made his way toward a gentleman. Then he tore his way free of Evangeline and jumped up with his paws on the man’s shoulders.

  “Oh, dear!” Evangeline seized her skirts and hurried to retrieve Sebastian. Lily kept Annabelle in her arms and joined her, praying her dog wouldn’t hurt the stranger.

  “Stop it, Sebastian!” she called out.

  But then she saw that the dog was licking the hands of a tall blond gentleman. “My goodness,” Evangeline breathed. She stopped running and touched her heart.

  When Lily drew nearer, the man was laughing and petting Sebastian’s head. He gave the dog something from his pocket and then turned to smile at the women. “Now there’s a good boy.”

  The moment she recognized him, Lily’s face fell. It was John Wilson, the Earl of Davonshire. It had been months since she’d spoken to him last, and then, only in passing. For a moment, she wondered what to say to him. Finally, she offered, “I’m terribly sorry, Lord Davonshire. The dog got away from us.”

  The gentleman’s smile tightened, and he tipped his hat. “Lady Lily.” The awkwardness seemed to fill the space between them. “I am glad to see you again.”

  But all Lily could think was the heartbreaking notion that Sebastian knew Lord Davonshire. He was petting her dog and behaving as if he were the true owner.

  “It has been a long time,” she managed. Then she handed Evangeline’s dog back to her. Sebastian was still licking Lord Davonshire’s fingers, utterly delighted with himself. And the earl appeared just as happy to see the dog. That didn’t bode well at all.

  “Have you met Sebastian before?” she asked. “You seem to know one another.” The dog continued to circle the gentleman, his tail wagging furiously.

  The man snapped his fingers, and her dog instantly lay down. “Louis, be still.”

  Louis? Was that his true name?

  “I beg your pardon. What did you call him?” Lily ventured.

  Lord Davonshire turned back to her. “Louis ran off weeks ago and was lost. We could not find him anywhere until now.” He offered her a grateful smile. “I believe I am in your debt for taking such good care of him.” He leaned down and gave the dog another treat from his pocket.

  A harsh lump rose up within her throat, for Lily had never considered the possibility of losing Sebastian. She bit her lip to hold back tears, feeling bereft.

  He glanced over toward the place where Evangeline had been standing. “Was I mistaken, or didn’t you have a companion with you?”

  It was then that Lily realized Evangeline had disappeared. She was no longer standing on the pathway—instead, she was hiding behind a shrub.

  “Miss Sinclair is rather shy,” Lily explained. She thought about calling Evangeline to come and meet Lord Davonshire, but then again, her friend might be humiliated by all of this. She returned her attention to Sebastian, kneeling beside him. When she ruffled his ears, he rolled to his back, exposing his stomach for her to rub.

  “You know his favorite spot to be touched,” Lord Davonshire remarked. “And I can see that you’ve taken good care of Louis. I am eternally thankful for it.”

  She tried to hold back her tears, but she had grown attached to the dog in the past two months. The lovable Sebastian had stolen a piece of her heart, and frankly, she didn’t want to give him back, even if he did belong to Lord Davonshire.

  “How long have you had him?” she ventured.

  “Three years. Ever since he was weaned as a pup,” he answered. “He was large, even then.”

  But something about his words rang false. She could not recall her father ever mentioning a dog when he went to the residence of the Marquess of Chesham. Then, too, Sebastian’s leg had healed quickly—suggesting that he was younger in age. He behaved like a dog of one year instead of three.

  Yet there was no denying that Sebastian was sniffing Davonshire’s pockets and seemed excited around the man. It was indeed possible that he was the dog’s true owner.

  “I am sorry,” Lily said, feeling foolish. “It’s just that I rescued Sebastian from the streets when he was hit by a carriage. I’ve grown very fond of him.”

  “He is a favorite of mine. I have two other dogs, but none so fine as Louis.” His blue eyes warmed as he spoke of them. “I am so glad to have him back again.”

  She leaned down to study the dog, trying to decide what to do. The earl gently pressed the dog down and gave him another treat.

  “I will miss him desperately,” Lily admitted. “I can’t bear the thought of going home without him.” Her heart was shattered at the thought of losing this animal who snuggled at her feet. He was the first creature she had ever saved, and she loved him. But she understood Sebastian was not hers.

  With regret, she remained standing in place while Lord Davonshire bowed to her. “Lady Lily, I am most thankful for your good care of my Louis. If I may pay a call upon you from time to time, perhaps I might bring him to visit?”

  “Yes, of course.” But her voice broke with emotion. The earl removed Sebastian’s leash and handed it back to her. She leaned down and hugged the dog, unable to stop her tears when he licked her face. She ruffled his furry ears and stood, feeling utterly bereft. “I would like to see him to know that he is well.”

  Lord Davonshire took her gloved hand and held it for a moment. “And I would like to know that you are well.” With a slight smile, he added, “Our fathers were such good friends, after all.”

  From behind her, she heard Evangeline’s intake of breath. Although her friend was fascinated by the earl, Lily didn’t feel the same way at all. She had been so frustrated by her father’s attempts at a betrothal, she had no interest whatsoever in Davonshire. Not like her feelings for Matthew.

  “Until we meet again.” Lord Davonshire released her fingers and turned back on the pathway with Sebastian trotting at his side. The dog obeyed his master without question. Although Lily she knew she had made the right choice for him, it hurt so badly to let him go.

  Evangeline emerged from the shrubbery and returned to her side. “I’m so sorry, Lily.”

  She blinked back her tears. “So am I.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Matthew entered his family’s townhouse and gave his hat and gloves to a footman. The
servant took them and added, “My lord, Lady Arnsbury is taking tea in the drawing room. She asked if you would join her when you returned home.”

  “So I shall.” He crossed through the hallway until he reached the blue drawing room. The wallpaper was the color of a robin’s egg with drapes that were white and blue. He saw his mother seated upon the settee, and her expression brightened when he arrived.

  “Matthew, I am glad you were able to join me.” Charlotte poured him a cup of tea and added sugar, offering it to him. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you.”

  His first thought was of Miss Carlisle. Had the woman carried out her threat of spreading stories? Matthew took the cup and joined his mother, sitting across from her. “What is it? Has something happened?”

  She paused a moment and said, “I wanted to see how you’ve been. . .feeling during the past few months. We haven’t truly talked in a while.”

  He understood what she meant now. Ever since the night when he’d fallen into despair, his mother had hovered over him, afraid he would do the worst. And the truth was, after he’d hurt Lily, his own life had seemed useless and wasted.

  “Each day grows easier,” he admitted. “Sometimes the nightmares come, but I have found that I am now able to sleep at night.”

  “And you are eating again.” Charlotte smiled warmly at him, offering a plate of sandwiches. He took one to satisfy her, though he wasn’t truly hungry. “You do not know how worried we were.”

  It had been a dark time, but he did believe Lily’s forgiveness had helped. “It was not easy.”

  Charlotte poured herself a cup of tea. “And how are things with Lady Lily? Dare I hope that we can post the banns soon?”

  “I have asked her to marry me,” he admitted. “But she has not yet agreed.”

  At that, his mother set down her cup. “Why ever not?

  Because she does not yet trust me, he thought. But he managed an excuse, saying, “She is studying veterinary medicine.”

  Charlotte stared at him as if he’d confessed that Lily was trying to grow wings. “Why on earth would she do that? Is she interested in horses?”

  “Lily prefers smaller animals, such as dogs. She saved the life of a Landseer, and she also gave me that Beast of my own.” He nodded toward the kitten who had wandered inside the drawing room and was poised to attack the furniture. Matthew leaned down to scoop the kitten into his lap.

  “I hope you will continue to court Lady Lily,” his mother said. “I like the girl and her family. She is good for you, Matthew.”

  “She is. And I intend to keep paying calls on her.”

  A strange look crossed his mother’s face, one that held a hint of wickedness. “It may sound Machiavellian, but I would not hold it against you if you were to seduce the girl.”

  He said nothing, for he’d already done that two years ago. It had been passionate and impulsive, and he’d made promises of marriage that he’d fully intended to keep upon his return.

  But both of them had changed over the years. And though he wanted her by his side, he understood her wariness.

  “Lily is a good woman,” he reminded his mother. “And I intend to win her heart on her own terms.”

  “With flowers and jewels?” Charlotte prompted.

  “No. With books and pamphlets on veterinary medicine.”

  His mother let out a rueful sigh. “You, my dear son, have much to learn about how to court a woman.” Charlotte rose from her chair and came to embrace him. “And do not delay too long, for I should like to have grandchildren before I die.”

  Though her tone was teasing, his mother was in her mid-sixties now, and he understood her desire for babies. As for himself, he wasn’t entirely ready for children. At least, not yet.

  “Time will tell,” was all he could say.

  “By the by, I am concerned about your cousin Adrian. I hear gossip that he has considerable gaming losses.”

  “If he does, that is on his shoulders, not mine.” He had never particularly liked his cousin.

  “It’s just that. . .he is spending as if he will come into a large sum of money.”

  Matthew’s mood turned grim, and he wondered if Sarah Carlisle had spoken to him or to anyone else about his birth. “Because he believes he might somehow inherit my title?”

  Her face paled and she returned to her seat. “H-how can you imagine such a thing?”

  Matthew set down his cup and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. It struck him that his mother appeared more worried than enraged. There was no anger—only fear. And so, he pried a little deeper.

  “A woman named Miss Carlisle paid a call upon me a few weeks ago,” he began. “She spoke of a payment my father gave her on a yearly basis. A blackmail payment. Now why would Father allow this?”

  He wanted to see his mother’s outrage and denial. He wanted to hear from her own lips that there was nothing wrong. But Charlotte’s hands were shaking, and she did not answer. He waited, then demanded, “Well?”

  “I—I don’t know.” Her voice was tremulous, and she would not look at him. Something was wrong, something she would not say. And God help him, he needed to know if there was any truth to Sarah Carlisle’s claims.

  He pressed again, “Why do I have brown eyes, Mother? I don’t look like you or my father.”

  He expected her to speak of a grandparent, but instead, her face blanched. “Close the door, Matthew.”

  A sudden coldness iced through him, but he obeyed. When he turned back to her, he saw that she was staring down at her hands. She looked all the world like a woman suffused with guilt.

  No. He did not want to believe any of this. He wished he had not brought it up, but now, it was too late to go back. He needed the truth, even at the risk of his inheritance.

  His mood darkened, and he demanded, “Is it true? Am I a bastard with no claim to the earldom?”

  “Your father formally recognized you as his heir,” she said quietly. “But please. . .do not ask any more questions. Let things be as they are. Your father and I treasured you, and you were raised to be the earl.”

  He felt as if the floor beneath him had buckled, his life torn apart by her words. “Is that woman my mother?” he gritted out. “Did she have an affair with my father, and is that why he paid her?”

  “N-no,” the countess insisted. “Matthew, I swear to you, she is not your mother. Your father was never unfaithful to me.”

  He didn’t believe her. The terror in her eyes and her visible fear revealed far more than he wanted to know. And he would have the truth now, even if it meant confronting the woman who threatened his very future.

  “How do I look?” Evangeline breathed. Instead of wearing the ball gown the color of mouse fur, she had chosen a soft rose silk. Around her throat, she wore a chain of diamonds, and two tiny pink roses were tucked into her black hair. “Will Lord Davonshire notice me, do you think?”

  Already half of the gentlemen had noticed her, but Lily feared it was because of the diamonds around Evangeline’s throat. Everyone knew of her wealth, and many unscrupulous men might try to take advantage of her.

  “You look beautiful,” Lily told her. And her friend had indeed transformed. Evangeline’s cheeks were flushed with excitement, her eyes bright with the prospect of meeting the earl.

  “Will he be here this evening, do you think? Lord Delicious, I mean.”

  “Lord Dog Thief,” Lily corrected. Although she knew it was right to surrender Sebastian into his hands, she felt the loss of the dog keenly. She missed the enormous animal trying to snuggle against her while she read her books and the patch of drool upon her skirts.

  “He did not truly steal Sebastian,” Evangeline reminded her.

  “Oh, I know it. But I do miss my dog. He was mine, even if only for a short time.” Her heart was still wounded at the memory.

  “Annabelle had her puppies last night,” Evangeline said. “If you would like one, I can give you one of your own, once the puppies are old enough to
be weaned. A new Sebastian, if you like. Although this one would be much smaller.”

  Her friend’s offer was so generous, but Lily didn’t know if she was ready for a new dog yet. “Perhaps.”

  Evangeline squeezed her hand in silent sympathy, and Lily forced away the sadness. “Do promise me this. If Lord Davonshire does attend this gathering, you cannot hide yourself behind the drapes.”

  “I might faint,” her friend warned.

  “Were I you, I would visit with other ladies and gentlemen before he arrives. Then, at least, you’ll be ready for a conversation.”

  “I will never be ready,” Evangeline murmured. “Not for a man like him.” She let out a heartfelt sigh, fanning herself.

  “I suppose you have given up on James, then?” It did seem that Evangeline wanted nothing more to do with her brother.

  But her friend’s demeanor shifted into sadness. “It’s not really giving up when he had no interest in me in the first place.”

  There was nothing Lily could say to that except, “I’m sorry.”

  Evangeline braved a smile before it suddenly faded. “Oh goodness, Lord Magnificent is here.” She fanned herself rapidly and clutched Lily’s palm with her other hand. “What should I do?”

  “Try smiling. He might come and speak to you.”

  But Evangeline’s expression was pained. “I never should have hidden in the shrubbery that day. He might come talk to you, but never to me.” She closed her eyes. “I should go into the hallway by the stairs and collect myself.”

  “You are not going anywhere.” Lily tightened her grip on Evangeline’s hand. “Calm yourself. Take a deep breath and count to ten.”

  The young woman made a valiant effort, but she seemed unable to resist her urge to disappear. Thankfully, after a few moments, she seemed to gather her composure. And that was likely because Lily had not released her hand.

  But Lord Davonshire did not approach. Instead, Matthew’s cousin, Adrian Monroe, walked toward them. He wore a black evening tailcoat with a snowy waistcoat. Mr. Monroe bowed to them and then turned to Evangeline. “Miss Sinclair, would you care to dance?”