Wedding Night With the Earl

by Amelia Grey

  Sensing her unease, he said, “As they should be. But it looks as if the gardener has gone for the day, and the other servants are probably having their tea, preparing dinner or who knows what they might be doing. Enough excuses. So what do you say, Miss Katherine Wright? Do you feel like tempting fate this afternoon and dancing with me?” He held up his hands in the dancing position.

  Her features relaxed and she laughed softly. “I’ve been tempting it ever since the night I met you. I see no reason to stop now.”

  Adam took her hand and embraced her. “Now show me how well you have been practicing.”

  He started to move forward, but he felt her stiffen and stopped. “Is there someone behind me already watching us already?”

  She looked at him with wry amusement. “No. I was just wondering why it is that whenever you touch me, I am more interested in kissing you than dancing with you.”

  His gaze swept up and down her face. “I feel the same way, but for now, I will have to resist the urge and so will you.”

  “Will you kiss me before you go?”

  Her responses to him were always natural and came from her heart. “How could I not?” He swallowed hard. “That’s really the reason I came over this afternoon. Now, on the count of three…”

  And so began her lesson. The grass had not fully grown out and the ground was still hard, making it easier than Adam had anticipated to traverse back and forth across the garden. Her movements weren’t fluid yet, but they weren’t nearly as choppy as the last time they’d danced. He knew it wasn’t easy for her to maneuver her stiff leg, but she wasn’t just walking the steps, she was dancing to his whispered count of one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.

  “You have been practicing. I can tell.”

  “A little.”

  “I’d say more than a little. Do you realize I haven’t—” He landed on her toe. She stumbled and they stopped.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “No. It was my fault,” he admitted. “I was about to praise myself and say I haven’t stepped on your toes one time, when suddenly I did.”

  “Perhaps I should wear boots as you do.”

  “Now there’s an idea for us to consider.”

  Adam danced her down to the large fountain he’d seen at the back of the garden and stopped, thinking that would be an excellent place to pull her to him for a few quick kisses.

  “I do believe we are hidden from the house right here, are we not?”

  Katherine unexpectedly started laughing.

  He grinned. “Do you want to share the amusement with me?”

  “I see no reason I can’t. I was just behind this fountain with Lord Rudyard not half an hour ago.”

  He should have guessed. “Were you now?”

  “Yes.”

  Adam pulled her close to his chest and held her tightly. “Did he kiss you?”

  Her eyes searched his without any guile. “Yes.”

  It was a personal question, but it was one she wanted him to know the answer to. And it had her desired effect on him. He was jealous as hell that the dandy’s lips had touched hers.

  Bending his lips close to hers, he whispered, “How?”

  “Like a first kiss.”

  Thank God, he thought to himself. But he asked, “Did you enjoy it?”

  “That’s a personal question, my lord. If I answer, you’ll have to answer one for me.”

  “We have no time for our game of questions this afternoon, Katherine. I need to kiss you now.” He slanted his lips over hers in a long, passionate kiss.

  Katherine responded with a sweet moan of pleasure. Though he needed no encouragement from her to continue his assault on her lips, Adam loved the way she always immediately gave in to the excitement of their kisses and abandoned herself to the moment.

  She tasted of tea and smelled of sunshine. Aware of her every breath, he deepened the kiss, and she answered by instinct and parted her lips for his tongue to enter her mouth. His tongue played with hers, teased the roof of her mouth, and explored its depths with slow, sensual movements.

  Desire grew quick and strong inside him. It was difficult to hold back his eagerness because his body was always hungry for her.

  “Mm, I’ve been wanting to do this since the last time I saw you,” he whispered into her mouth.

  “Then why did you wait so long to come see me?”

  “I need to stay away from you, Katherine. Your name may be Miss Wright, but remember you are Miss Wrong for me.”

  “I don’t believe that, Adam.”

  “It’s true.”

  “You taste good,” she whispered. “You smell good. I feel so good whenever I am in your arms.”

  Her words thrilled him. His lips left hers, and he kissed his way down her chin, over her jawline, and down to the neckline of her pelisse. Her skin was cool against his hot mouth. His heart beat wildly and the blood rushed through his veins in a heady sensation that made him want to forget the danger he would put her in if he denied his fear and made her his.

  “I’ve been ravenous to touch you again,” he whispered as his lips traced a pattern over her eyes, her chin, and her nose with soft, feather-light kisses.

  His hand moved to her breast and molded it against his palm. Her body trembled beneath his hand, and he smiled. Spirals of heat curled and tightened in the pit of his stomach and between his legs. He gloried in the luscious sensations rippling through him. His tongue sought her mouth again as his body ached to tumble her to the ground, cover her, and make her his.

  Damnation, he’d give anything if she didn’t feel as if she were already his. He had no rights to her, could never claim rights to her. Still, she felt as if she belonged to him. Only him.

  Finally, he found the strength to let her go and step away. His breath was coming in ragged gasps as he said, “I have no boundaries when I am with you. You really should put some on me.”

  She caught her breath and cleared her throat. “How can I when I don’t want there to be any?”

  “Which is why, for the first time in my life, I have to be the one to do it.” He took hold of her elbow and started walking with her toward the front of the garden. “It’s not natural for a man, you know.” He inclined his head toward her. “We usually depend on the young lady to keep us in line and not let us go too far.”

  “I suppose there is nothing about me that makes me a typical young lady.”

  “No, you are very special to me.”

  “Adam, there are things about you that I don’t understand. You say you can’t—”

  “I know,” he said, cutting off her words. “And because of that I’ve tried to stay away from you. You know I have. I have declined all parties and social events, and for a time it seemed as if fate were demanding we be together.” He looked away for a moment and then said, “Your dancing was very good today.”

  She could see in his eyes that he meant it, but still she shrugged as if his comment meant nothing as they stopped beside the table.

  He picked up her cane and handed it to her. “I should go before someone comes out.”

  “When will I see you again? Will I see you again?”

  He wished he could just tell her no. No, he couldn’t see her again. But he couldn’t say that. He’d been trying to tell himself that since the first night he’d met her. So far, he hadn’t been able to stay away.

  His eyes searched hers. “I shouldn’t,” he said, and he turned, bounded up the steps and into the house, and was soon out of sight.

  Chapter 25

  Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.

  —Henry VI, act 5, scene 6

  The rain had been beating steadily against the windowpanes in Adam’s book room. Even with the fire blazing most of the day, a chilly nip lingered in the air. Adam’s solicitors had sat across the desk from him for several hours, answering his questions about his various properties, businesses, and investments. But thoughts of Katherine had never left his mind.

  He
’d finally dismissed the solicitors half an hour ago, and now the quiet of the house was closing in on him. Once, the solitude had been welcome. Not anymore. Now it was more like a burden.

  Learning about the Greyhawke entailed property and other holdings had been challenging, but he was now feeling confident that he could visit the estates and properties. He knew the status of each holding, how it was managed, and who directed it.

  The lamps had been lit. Pharaoh lay near the fire, and Dixon played quietly with his toy soldiers near the hearth. He’d been patiently waiting for Adam to play a game of chess with him.

  But something was missing. Katherine. He wanted to see her sitting by the fire, stitching her embroidery, knitting scarves for orphans, or reading her book of poetry and occasionally looking up at him and smiling. He actually felt her absence.

  In the two years he’d spent in isolation on the coast, silence had been all he’d wanted. He supposed he’d needed that time to himself. But now he wanted more. When Dixon had been left on his doorstep, it had given a reason and purpose to his life. Adam smiled to himself. He should find Mr. Alfred Hopscotch and thank him for bringing the boy to him.

  The one part of his life that wasn’t settled was Katherine. He squeezed his eyes shut. He loved her more than his own life. It was easy to admit that to himself. Thinking about her was invigorating and maddening. He had no doubt he would be good for her. Already she was walking and dancing when she hadn’t even attempted to stand without her cane when he’d first met her. If only he could marry her. But he couldn’t overcome the harsh blow fate had dealt him.

  Pharaoh roused his head and woofed. He rose and trotted toward the doorway, but Adam called him back. “Pharaoh. Come here.” The dog stopped and looked over at Adam and then back to the door. He barked again and then stared at Adam as if to say, I hear something.

  “Answering the door is Clark’s job, remember. Now, get over here beside me. Besides, it’s probably just another messenger dropping off yet another invitation to a dinner or party. Whoever it is, he doesn’t want you standing at the door growling at him.” It seemed to Adam that he received two or three invites a day.

  Clark walked into the book room and whispered to him, “The Duke of Quillsbury is here, my lord. I took the liberty of asking him to wait in the drawing room and offered him a drink. I hope that was all right.”

  Adam relaxed against his chair. So either the aunt or the butler had seen him kiss Katherine yesterday afternoon in the garden. Sweet hell, he had no one to blame but himself. He’d known the chance he was taking when he went to see her. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. Even though he hadn’t stayed very long, had he sabotaged himself?

  “Tell His Grace I’ll be right in.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Adam rose and so did Pharaoh. He looked down at the dog. “No. Stay.” Pharaoh quarreled with him and barked. “Yes, it will be a difficult visit, but I don’t need you in there, my friend.”

  “Are you talking to the dog again?” Dixon asked.

  “Yes.” Adam didn’t want the chance of Dixon wandering into the drawing room and overhearing his conversation with the duke either.

  “Dixon, I’m going to close the door behind me. Stay in here with him and see he doesn’t get out. I have a guest in the drawing room. Understand?”

  Dixon ran over to Pharaoh and put his arms around the big dog’s neck. “He won’t get out this time.”

  Adam rubbed Pharaoh’s head and then Dixon’s before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

  “Good afternoon, Your Grace.” Adam stopped and bowed before continuing on into the drawing room.

  The duke rose and greeted him with a slight bow and nod. “I’m sorry for arriving without making an appointment. I hope I’m not interrupting anything too important in your afternoon, my lord.”

  “Not at all. My business has been concluded for the day. Please, sit down.” Adam walked over to pour himself a nip of brandy and asked, “Can I add a splash to your glass?”

  The duke shook his head and sat down in the wingback chair. “I suppose you know why I’m here.”

  No reason to make it easy on the old man, Adam thought as he settled himself in the chair opposite the formidable-looking duke. “I wouldn’t presume to venture a guess.”

  “No, I don’t suppose a clever man would ever implicate himself in anything. I now know of three instances where you’ve been seen with my niece in your arms.”

  Guilty of the three and a few more.

  Adam remained pensive. He knew what the duke wanted. Hell, Adam wanted it, too.

  “The first was outside my own front door, which as you know I witnessed.”

  “You know the reason for that incident, Your Grace.”

  “And thanks to Lady Leola’s quick thinking, the repercussions were manageable. Besides, I only know what I was told about the evening.” His gaze held firmly on Adam’s. “Then there was the afternoon in front of Potts Orphanage, which Katherine has been known to frequent carrying her donations from that ridiculous Wilted Tea Society to which she belongs, though only God knows why.”

  The duke paused again and looked at Adam as if he expected an explanation, so Adam obliged.

  “It’s true we were both there at the same time. Quite by accident. No doubt Miss Wright has explained how that incident came about.”

  “I’ve not spoken with her about it, or about my visit to you this afternoon. Nor do I intend to.”

  Adam found it odd that the duke hadn’t questioned Katherine before coming to see him. He would do his best to make sure no condemning light was shed on Katherine.

  “She was doing her charitable work, and I was there because Dixon, my heir, lived at the orphanage until I was located. Some of his personal things were left there when he was brought to me. I was checking on them for him.”

  “I’ve no doubt you both had obvious and legitimate reasons for being there. There were several who witnessed her in your arms that afternoon, and it cost me a tidy sum to squelch the rumors swelling from it before they were printed.”

  Adam had wondered why the incident never showed up in the scandal sheets. He’d assumed it was because it was clear Pharaoh was the villain and he’d had to help Katherine up off the ground.

  “So you know it was my dog who created that scene and there was nothing I could do but help Miss Wright stand up.”

  “Surely I don’t have to tell you that gossip and truth are seldom cut from the same cloth.”

  There was a long silence. Adam swirled the brandy, but he hadn’t tasted it.

  “And then there was the incident yesterday in my back garden,” the duke said.

  Oh, yes, there was.

  And for that one, Adam had no viable excuse as to why Katherine was in his arms. Maybe it was the warm sunshine on his back. The scent of freshly trimmed shrubs, the earth, and Katherine’s fresh-washed hair. Just the fact that she was in his arms and dancing with him. Whatever it was, once he saw her, he knew he couldn’t leave without tasting her passion for him once again.

  “I’m sure if I asked, you’d tell me she tripped over a twig and you had to help her.”

  So the elderly duke had a sense of humor.

  “I fear if she falls one more time before she is betrothed, my lord, she’ll lose all the offers she currently has for her hand in marriage.”

  “I don’t see that happening, Your Grace.”

  “One never knows. So is there anything you want to ask me?”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. He knew exactly what the duke was getting at. And hell, yes, he’d like to offer for her hand right now, but how could he chance getting her with child? Fate had made that impossible.

  He met the duke stare for stare, wanting to do what was right, what he wanted. But he said, “No.”

  His Grace’s passive expression never changed. “So, you don’t think you have damaged her reputation beyond repair and you have no responsibility to save her fro
m further scandal and ruination?”

  That was a harsh way for the duke to say it. Still, Adam remained silent.

  “Our servants will talk to their servant friends about what was seen yesterday afternoon. Those friends will talk to their employers and other friends, who will talk to their friends. By the time everyone is finished dragging Katherine’s name into the woods and back with a man that’s been called the beast, I fear not even that besotted young Viscount Rudyard will want to wed her.”

  Adam grimaced. The duke was making a powerful case for marriage. Adam was tempted. There were precautions he could take, that Katherine could take, to keep her from getting with child, but that’s all they were: precautions.

  “If you are not a beast but a man of honor who holds dear the title Earl of Greyhawke, I implore you to do the only respectable thing for my niece and offer for her hand and save her from the torrent of gossip that is sure to follow her for years if you don’t.”

  The duke knew how to aim directly for Adam’s heart. And hit it. He felt as if it were exploding in his chest. If he married her, he couldn’t stay away from her. That was a fact. He wanted her too desperately. He knew himself too well.

  “I will ask for her hand,” he answered before he could talk himself out of it yet again. “With your permission, I’ll come to your house in an hour. I’ll expect a few minutes alone with her.”

  The duke rose and set his glass on the table. “That’s all I wanted to hear. Consider it done.”

  Chapter 26

  When sorrows come, they come not single spies

  But in battalions.

  —Hamlet, act 4, scene 5

  Katherine walked through the front door behind her aunt. The afternoon card party they’d attended was crowded, loud, and quite enjoyable, even though the rain, which had been torrential at times, had moved the festivities inside the Windhams’ house. No one let the pouring skies dampen their spirits or their zeal to win every game. Even Lady Leola, who often only tolerated card parties, seemed to have an especially jovial time, playing several hands before declaring it was time for them to go.

  “I’m heading up to change and rest before the round of evening parties begin, my dear,” she said. “You don’t mind, do you?”