Wedding Night With the Earl

by Amelia Grey

  Adam whistled and then yelled, “Pharaoh! Come!” as he sped down the steps.

  The dog paid him no mind. He was having too much fun racing at breakneck speed, splashing through the muddy patches of dormant grass in hopes of cornering the frightened rabbit. Pharaoh had often chased hares, squirrels, and other small animals when they lived on the coast, but this was the first opportunity he’d had to go after an animal since they’d been in London. The Pyrenees would not give up the pursuit easily. As far as Adam knew, Pharaoh had never caught one of the lean, fast hares that roamed the countryside, but he could very well overtake the fatter, slower rabbit.

  Adam needed to get close enough to grab hold of the flapping leash and bring the excited dog under control before something happened. He cursed under his breath and then in a mad dash took off after Pharaoh, jumping over a row of shrubbery and dodging a large overturned urn in his haste to control the dog.

  In seconds he caught up to Dixon and said, “Go stand with Miss Wright. I’ll get him.

  “Pharaoh! Heel!” Adam called again, but the dog kept up the chase as if certain he would capture his prey.

  Adam headed diagonally across the lawn toward the dog, hoping to head him off, but the animals were dashing so rapidly and changing direction faster than Adam could keep up with them. He quickly skidded to a halt and altered his course, too, going back over territory he’d just covered.

  Fleeing for his life, the rabbit changed direction again and they were rushing across the pavement in front of two startled, elderly gentlemen who were strolling by. Adam flinched as the hare darted into the street with Pharaoh hot on his trail and both were nearly run down by a passing mail coach, but at the last moment they sprinted out of the way, only to cut right into the path of a milk wagon and narrowly escape death for the second time.

  “Pharaoh! Come!” Adam called sharply again as the two dashed behind a parked carriage and then raced back up the pavement onto the lawn of the orphanage.

  Suddenly the commotion stopped abruptly. The rabbit had disappeared into a hole in the foundation of the house that was much too small for the large dog to enter. Pharaoh kept his nose at the entrance. He barked and growled as he scratched the ground. Winded, Adam ran up to the dog and reached down for the leash at the moment Katherine called, “Pharaoh, come!” and the Pyrenees suddenly bolted and headed straight for Katherine and Dixon.

  Adam knew what was going to happen. He took off like a bat out of a chimney at dusk but felt as if he were running in slow motion, getting nowhere.

  “No! Pharaoh, heel!” he yelled, but the Pyrenees kept going, loping at full speed, and plopped his big mud-covered paws right onto Katherine’s chest.

  She tried to brace for him with her arms, but the force and momentum of his sturdy body was no match for Katherine’s slight frame. Her arms flailed out beside her. Dixon grabbed hold of her arm to help her, but his light weight was no match for the dog’s strength and force, either. The three of them landed on the ground with a swoosh and a thud.

  Seconds later, Adam reached them and dropped to his knees beside them. Katherine was lying on her back, laughing, trying her best to keep the slobbering, muddy dog from licking her face.

  “Pharaoh, heel,” Adam said harshly for the third time as he grabbed the leash and jerked on it.

  As if knowing his fun were finally at end, Pharaoh obeyed and sat on his haunches and barked once. Keeping a strong hold on the leash, Adam bent down and scooped one arm under Katherine’s knees and the other around her shoulders and lifted her.

  “No, I can do it,” she protested, kicking her legs and pushing at Adam’s chest. “I’m all right. Put me down.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Katherine, do I need to remind you that the last time I put you down on your feet when you didn’t have your cane, you fell?”

  “But I wasn’t expecting it that time. I am now. Besides, people are watching. Please, put me down before we cause another scandal.”

  Adam looked around, and sure enough, he saw that several people had stopped to watch the chase, but none of them had hurried over to help Katherine after she was knocked down. He carefully stood her on her feet and, keeping hold of her wrist, bent and picked up her cane and held it out to her.

  She took the cane and said, “I wanted to get up by myself.”

  “Surely you know that as a gentleman, it would have been impossible for me to stand by and watch you struggle to get to your feet without helping you.”

  “I suppose, but it’s past time I found out just how much I can do by myself.”

  “I would encourage that if we were not standing on a busy street. As you have already pointed out, there are a lot of eyes looking at us right now.”

  Katherine turned to look at Dixon, who was brushing off his coat. “Are you all right, Master Dixon?”

  He nodded.

  “Thank you for trying to help me.” She placed her hand gently on his shoulder. “You were the perfect gentleman to step in and help me just now.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t save you,” he said.

  “Oh, but you did,” she said, giving him a convincing smile. “You broke my fall so that I didn’t hurt myself. Because of your bravery, we both remain unscathed from Pharaoh’s naughty little adventure.”

  Dixon’s chest puffed out and his eyes sparkled at her compliments.

  Adam liked the reassuring way Katherine talked to Dixon. Her voice was soothing. Her words were kind and true. The flush on her cheeks and radiant smile had Adam wishing he could pull her into his arms again and hold her. She’d never been more alluring to him than she was right now, making sure the little boy was all right and making him feel good for trying to save her from the fall.

  Adam’s stomach tightened. She would be a loving and caring mother someday. And right now he was wishing like hell he could be the man who would one day give her those children. From the moment he saw her, he knew it would be easy to love her, if only he could allow it.

  Katherine breathed in deeply and turned to Adam. “That was quite an invigorating escapade.”

  He grinned. “Getting slammed to the ground by a dog?”

  She straightened her bonnet and laughed lightly. “He didn’t mean to. He was just happy to see me. Isn’t that right, Pharaoh?” She reached down and rubbed his head. He barked once.

  “I think he was remembering the last time he saw you and was hoping you had another treat for him.”

  “I’m sorry I don’t have one. Perhaps I should keep something sweet in my reticule for him.”

  “Maybe you haven’t seen that his little stunt of jumping on you ruined your dress? There’s mud from his paws all over it.”

  “I saw,” she said, and closed her cape over the soiled dress. “It’s no matter.”

  “You should have never given him one of your sweet cakes that day at the park. I fear you’ve made a friend for life.”

  “I can always use another friend, my lord.” She looked down at the dog. “I think he would be a good companion.”

  “He is,” Adam agreed, pleased that she liked his dog. “You know, I was just thinking it might be difficult to find a private place where I can teach you how to dance.”

  “Really?” She smiled playfully at him. “Are you already trying to renege on the challenge you accepted?”

  His eyes narrowed. She was stunning when she teased him. “I think you know me better than that, Katherine.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I was only indicating that it might take some time for me to accomplish it.”

  Katherine lifted her chin. “You strike me as a man of means. I’m sure you will come up with something and that you will let me know when you have it all arranged.”

  “The sooner the better,” he answered.

  She looked at something over his shoulder. “Here comes my maid and driver out of the building. I should go, but I’ll be looking forward to those lessons. Good day, my lord.”

  Adam watched her join the
servants and get into the landau. She didn’t seem to have any trouble walking or climbing into the carriage. That was good. Pharaoh could have easily injured her.

  He looked down at the muddy blond Pyrenees. “Pharaoh, you were a bad dog today. London has not been good for you. Seems you left all your training on the coast.”

  “Are you talking to the dog again?”

  Adam looked over at Dixon and said, “I am. I do and I will continue. You’ll get used to it, and one day you’ll probably talk to him, too.”

  “Does he talk back?”

  “Sometimes. But what happened to you? First you said you wanted to come with me to the orphanage, and when we got here you refused to go inside. You wanted to stay in the carriage with Pharaoh. And then you both end up outside. What transpired that caused both of you to get out? And how did he run away from you?”

  Dixon’s eyes moved from side to side before he looked up at Adam. “He whined and scratched the door. I thought he had to go.”

  “Ah, I see.” Adam nodded and cleared his throat. “But he was really sensing the hare. You weren’t holding him very tight and he ran off without you, right?”

  Dixon stared at Adam with his big brown eyes. “I didn’t mean to let him go. He’s strong.”

  Adam shrugged and patted the boy’s shoulder. “Indeed he is. It’s all right. There’s no way you could have stopped a dog that big if he wanted to get away. Besides, there was no real harm done. Except, of course, for Miss Wright’s dress, and I expect her maid can clean it.”

  Dixon nodded and then said, “You were gone a long time.”

  Was it a long time? It seemed as if he’d been with Katherine only seconds before she’d whirled on her heels and left him standing in the cold, empty room.

  “It took longer than I expected.”

  Adam watched as Katherine’s carriage pulled away from the hitching post and headed down the street.

  “Are you going to give me back to the orphanage?” Dixon asked.

  Adam looked down. Dixon’s expression was full of concern. “No, of course not.” His heart went out to the lad. “You know I went in there to ask the whereabouts of the things left to you by your mother. What made you think I was asking about returning you?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Look, I wouldn’t let you stay here even if you wanted to, which I’m sure you don’t. I told you, my home is your home, and I meant it. That’s not going to change.”

  Adam looked back up at the large, almost empty building, and an idea swirled across his mind. “Was anyone ever mean or harsh to you while you lived there?”

  “Just one. He liked to push me.”

  “An adult or boy?”

  “Boy. He didn’t like me. He thought I couldn’t talk.”

  “Well, it’s true you don’t talk a lot. How about Mrs. Potts? Was she kind to you and the other children?”

  He nodded. “She made him stand in the corner every time he pushed me down.”

  “Good for her,” Adam said. “Here. Take Pharaoh and go back to the carriage. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

  “You’re going back inside?”

  Adam looked down at Dixon and saw trepidation in his young eyes. “Yes, but don’t worry. This time the reason I’m going has nothing to do with you. And I won’t be as long this time. I promise I’m coming back, so don’t worry. All right?”

  Dixon nodded.

  “Good. Come on now and let’s go. I’m going to help you and Pharaoh climb back into the carriage, and this time I don’t want you to let him out for any reason.”

  Dixon looked up at Adam and gave him a smile.

  Chapter 20

  An ill-favored thing, sir, but mine own.

  —As You Like It, act 5, scene 4

  The ballroom of the Great Hall shimmered elegantly with hundreds of lighted candles. Katherine was always in awe of the famed building with its massive Corinthian columns, painted ceilings, and ornate fretwork and moldings. The many chandeliers and wall sconces radiated with extraordinary bright light, giving the room a breathtaking golden glimmer that scattered from corner to corner.

  There were pots, urns, and containers of every size filled with flowers of every shape and color. At the end of the square room, the orchestra played a lively tune. The large dance floor was crowded with beautifully gowned ladies and finely dressed gentlemen swinging, skipping, and twirling as they moved about the floor in tempo with the music. A separate room off to one side was dedicated to tables lined with silver trays filled with such delicacies as chilled oysters, baked fowl, and stewed plums, plus all the champagne and wine one cared to drink.

  Katherine stood near the entrance of the ballroom. Most of her friends and the eligible gentlemen, too, were on the floor enjoying themselves. Including Viscount Rudyard. She supposed he was the most acceptable of the gentlemen she was considering for a husband. He was titled, handsome, and eager to please her. He would probably give her strong, healthy children, too. It wasn’t that she didn’t hold him in high regard; she did. But he wasn’t the man on her mind. Lord Greyhawke was. She didn’t want to be in the viscount’s arms. She wanted to be in Adam’s arms, sharing kisses with him.

  But that wasn’t likely to happen. He’d made it clear that he was not in the market for a wife, and taking her innocence wasn’t going to happen, either.

  Two days had passed since she’d seen him. How long did it take to figure out a way to be alone with her?

  She’d kept hoping she would see the earl walk inside the ballroom before the night was over and tell her he had a plan for them to meet and dance. The hours were passing, the evening was getting later and later, and there had been no sight of him.

  She didn’t know why she had thrown down her gloves at Lord Greyhawke’s feet other than, at the time, it seemed the right thing to do. She was angry with him. Not so much because he wouldn’t take her innocence when she so blatantly offered it, but because he would be leaving London.

  Even now, the thought of him going away and her never seeing him again caused a stabbing pain in her chest. Everything would be perfect in her life right now if—and it was a big if—seeing and being with Lord Rudyard made her feel the same way as when she was with Lord Greyhawke. She could then happily agree to marry the viscount as soon as possible and start her family. But those exciting and thrilling feelings were not there with Lord Rudyard, and she knew they never would be. He had many qualities to admire, but she didn’t even have a needlepoint of desire for his touch.

  Uncle Quillsbury had returned from Kent while she was at the orphanage. She’d expected to be summoned to his book room to explain herself, but that order had never come. He must have been satisfied with what Aunt Leola had to say about the gossip. Everyone else seemed to be, too.

  At the parties, the first night after the scandal sheets had printed their gossip, she and her aunt had expected her to experience some measure of censure from several of the older ladies in the ton, but rather than condemn her, she had ladies coming up to her and commending her for being so observant as to see the chip in the plate before the earl had a chance to see it.

  There had also been unexpected comments of pity that set Katherine’s teeth on edge. Though she’d never given anyone reason to be solicitous toward her concerning her limp, some of the ladies made it clear they were, and it bumped Lord Greyhawke up a notch in their eyes because he’d helped the crippled young lady in her hour of need. If she hadn’t been so annoyed by the comments, she would have laughed.

  Katherine didn’t want people thinking she was that frail, but in the end, she supposed it was better than speculations that she and the earl had been doing exactly what they’d been doing two days ago at the orphanage—kissing madly.

  She rubbed her palm against the handle of her cane and leaned heavily on it, as she was prone to do at times. A server approached her and said, “Miss, would you care for a glass of champagne?”

  Remembering Lord Greyhawke telling her that it was t
he champagne bubbles in her head that caused her to get a headache if she drank more than one glass made her smile. She looked at the man and shook her head.

  “Begging your pardon, but I would like for the miss to take the glass and the note beside it. A gentleman paid me quite handsomely to take the risk of getting it to you without anyone’s knowledge but yours.”

  Katherine’s stomach tightened. Her mind swirled. The note must be from Lord Greyhawke. Maybe he was here and wanted her to meet him on the terrace or in the garden.

  “Yes, thank you,” she whispered to the man. “I believe I would care for another glass.”

  He lowered the tray, and she carefully picked up the note and the glass at the same time. The server left, and suddenly Uncle Quillsbury was standing in his place.

  Katherine jumped and spilled the champagne down her hand and over the note. She was caught.

  “Good heavens, Katherine, you aren’t usually so clumsy.”

  Instead of reaching for the note, he reached in his pocket for a handkerchief. She realized he hadn’t seen the piece of paper. She sucked in a deep, silent breath, thanked her lucky stars, and closed her fist around the message and the stem of the glass.

  “Here, let me hold your champagne while you dry your hand.”

  “No, that’s not necessary, Uncle,” she said, refusing the handkerchief and holding tighter to the glass. “It was only a drop. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Then perhaps you should sit down. You’ve probably been standing too long and you’ve overly tired your leg.”

  “I’m quite fine. Tell me, where is Uncle Willard?”

  “Hmm. I should have thought to tell you he went home half an hour ago. Said he couldn’t stand the noise any longer.” The duke gave her a rare smile.

  Katherine laughed. “I don’t believe he said that. You are teasing me, Uncle, and I love it.”

  “Of course he didn’t. I’m sure he was tired of trying to hear what others were saying above the music and other chatter. Just as this will be your last Season, I’m sure it will be the last we attend as well. Concerning your aunt, I have no idea, but we brothers no longer have the fortitude to handle nights such as this for weeks at a time.”