Improperly Enticed By The Rascal Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  “Yes, I believe my father very much enjoyed himself the other day,” she admitted. “He was quite taken with Lord Habtage, as I understand.”

  Edwin frowned. With Habtage? What about him?

  If the Baron does not like me, I have no chance with Miss Walters. The gentleman’s one true soft spot is his daughters.

  The next moment, though, she continued, “He appreciated your company as well, My Lord. He is very much looking forward to the hunt this weekend.”

  Edwin felt a wave of relief rush through him.

  “That is very good to hear. I admit, I am rather looking forward to it as well.”

  His words appeared to surprise her, if her widened eyes were any indication. She studied him for several moments with such an intensity, he thought she might be trying to peer into his soul. He grew somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze, as he was not sure what it was she was trying to determine in that moment.

  Finally, she released a little huff of breath, and asked, “My Lord, would you mind if I were to ask you something personal?”

  He frowned, confused as to what she could want to know.

  “I…I suppose that would be all right, Miss Walters.”

  “Why did you come here?”

  He gazed around a moment before returning his focus to her. “I explained already, Miss Walters, that I wished to stray from my usual trail today…”

  She shook her head. “No, I do not mean what are you doing in this specific spot at this specific time. What I mean is, why are you here in Laurelborough? What has brought you to this county?”

  He tensed, dread unfurling within his stomach.

  Has she heard rumors of the scandal already? I thought I had more time.

  “Why do you ask, Miss Walters?” He was surprised he managed to keep his voice so casual.

  Her gaze was unwavering as she stared up at him. “I only ask because you have never been here before. Or, at least, I do not recall you ever being here. Laurelborough has its share of wealth, but it is far from the most fashionable or interesting place to reside. I would think a young gentleman fresh from town would find the area rather…uneventful.”

  Edwin barely kept himself from audibly sighing in relief. So, it was not the scandal that was piquing her interest, but a general curiosity that drove her questions.

  He offered her what he knew was a charming smile.

  “Madam, your questions are valid, but I can assure you, I do not find Laurelborough uneventful, as you put it. In fact, I have been rather enjoying my stay so far.” He gave her a meaningful look, hoping to make her understand that she was a significant reason he was anything but bored here. “You are mistaken, though, in thinking I have never been here before. I used to spend my summers here as a boy with the Duchess.”

  “Truly?” she murmured. “How did we never cross paths with each other?”

  He shrugged. “I did not interact with the townsfolk all that often. Her Grace was rather protective of me after my parents died, and preferred I stayed on the estate grounds as much as possible.”

  Her lips parted with a little gasp. “Oh, I did not realize you had lost your parents, and…and so young, it sounds like. I am…I am sorry.”

  As much as he wished for her to soften toward him, he did not want the reason for it to be pity.

  He waved his hand in the air and said, “There is nothing to be sorry about, Madam. It was many years ago, and the Duchess took marvelous care of me during that time.”

  She did not appear convinced by his blasé attitude.

  “That very well may be, My Lord, but that does not make the pain of loss any less real. I…I know something of that pain.”

  “Your own mother?” he asked in a gentle tone.

  She nodded, her mouth dipping into a frown. “Yes, my mother died when I was very young as well. I suppose…I suppose you are one of the few people I know who can truly understand that type of terrible loss.”

  He released a deep breath. “Indeed, I suppose I am.”

  They held each other’s gazes for several heartbeats of time. He felt something shift between them, but he was not sure exactly what it was or what it meant. He only knew that Miss Walters had let down her guard, just a bit, and allowed him to glimpse past her cold exterior. It was a brief connection, and brought about by mutual grief rather than joy, but it was a connection nonetheless.

  There is common ground between us now. It is far from the ideal kind, but it is a start.

  Deciding he had bothered her enough for the day, Edwin gave her a polite tip of his hat.

  “I will leave you to your reading, Miss Walters,” he said, his voice gentle. “Until we come upon each other again by happy coincidence.”

  She dropped into a shallow curtsy, but when she raised her head to meet his eyes again, there was significantly less irritation in her expression. There might have even been a little relief to replace it.

  “Good day, Lord Morrington.”

  “Good day, Miss Walters.”

  Turning his horse, he rode up the hill, but he couldn’t help himself and paused when he reached the top so he could turn and gaze back at her. She was already walking away, her back to him. He watched her disappear down the path, fighting the overwhelming urge to chase after her and take her into his arms.

  Chapter 17

  Later that day, Tabitha sat in her family’s garden in a daze, absently chewing on her fingernail as she recalled her earlier encounter with Lord Morrington over and over again in her mind.

  His appearance had startled and unnerved her. She had been avoiding venturing out to that spot in the nearby field for fear she might run into him again. When she had woken that morning, the day had been so lovely and inviting, she had been unable to resist walking outside. Her favorite spot to read was beneath one of the trees in the middle of that field, after all, and she was tired of avoiding it.

  Yet, upon reaching the spot, she had found her greatest worry realized. Lord Morrington had ridden up to her as if she had summoned him from the empty air. She had not known what to say to him. She had still been struggling to know what to think of him. To run into him without her mind made up had left her feeling off-kilter as she had spoken with him.

  It also had not helped that he had looked incredibly dashing sitting tall and sure upon his horse. The sight of him had provoked images in her mind of a romantic hero come to sweep her off her feet.

  It had flustered her and provoked that tightening in her belly that seemed to plague her whenever he was near. She had been overcome with a yearning, but for what she could not say. Her body had grown hot and heavy, and she had fought to maintain her composure so he would not know the effect he appeared to have on her.

  She had been ready to dismiss him and escape his presence before she made a fool of himself, but his strange babbling and admittance to enjoying her papa’s company had compelled her to stay and speak more with him. Even now, as she thought back on it, she was not sure what had compelled her to ask him why he was in Laurelborough.

  Had she thought his answer would give her more insight into his character?

  Whatever the reason, she had not expected that question to lead to a baring of their souls to each other. She had not known he was orphaned, and her own broken heart had yearned to connect with his. He knew her pain in a way no one outside of her family did.

  Perhaps I was wrong to judge him so harshly so quickly. Perhaps there is more to him than the surface would suggest.

  With a sigh, she leaned her head back and stared up at the clouds above her. She was so confused about Lord Morrington, and how she should feel about him. One moment, he was arrogant and highhanded, the next compassionate and gentle. Which was his true nature?

  And why do I care so much to discover it?

  “Tabitha! There you are!” Sophia’s voice rang throughout the garden, pulling Tabitha from her musings.

  Glancing toward the house, she saw her sister running in her direction, her brow creased. Frowning,
Tabitha sat up straight on the stone bench she rested on and pushed to her feet.

  “Sophia, what is the matter?”

  Reaching her, Sophia took her hand and squeezed it tight.

  “He is back!”

  Tabitha’s heart immediately began to race. Who was back? Lord Morrington?

  The idea should have aggravated her, but she found herself surprisingly excited by the prospect of seeing him again.

  “Who is it, Sophia?” she asked with bated breath.

  “Lord Burrows,” her youngest sister grumbled.

  Tabitha’s excitement drained from her in a rush. Now, she felt deep irritation.

  “What is he doing back so soon? He was just here the other day and is supposed to return Sunday.” Why did he insist on catching her by surprise like this?

  Sophia shrugged, her face pinched with her own annoyance.

  “I do not know. Mr. Neil only said the gentleman wished to speak with you. He’s insisting on seeing you.”

  Tabitha groaned. “Why will he not learn? I am not interested in him!”

  “I know,” Sophia nodded. “I will go with you and guard you from him. If he refuses to go, I will throw him out myself!”

  Her sister’s protectiveness soothed some of Tabitha’s anxiety and frustration. She smiled and released a deep sigh.

  “Very well, let us go and talk to him, and as you promised, you will protect me should he not leave when I request he do so.”

  Sophia grinned and gripped Tabitha’s hand harder. Together they walked into the house and made their way to the parlor, where Lord Burrows awaited them. He stood next to the fireplace, still wearing his jacket with his hat in his hands.

  Perhaps he does not mean to stay long.

  She could only hope.

  He smiled widely when the ladies entered the room and took a few hurried steps toward them. Tabitha and Sophia froze in their tracks and did not draw nearer to him.

  “Good day, Lord Burrows,” Tabitha began in a tight tone, clutching her sister’s hand to her side. “What an unexpected…surprise.”

  “Indeed, I was hoping to surprise you,” he said with a laugh. “Forgive my intrusion, but I simply could not stay away another day. I was disappointed we did not get more time to speak together at tea on Sunday, and have been eager to do so since.”

  Tabitha blew out a breath through her nostrils, fighting to maintain her temper.

  “Is that so, My Lord? I am sorry you felt you were not given adequate attention on Sunday. That was not my intent.”

  “Oh, no, it is nothing like that, Madam, I assure you,” he insisted. “I know you had little choice in the manner, as Lords Habtage and Morrington were so demanding of your attention.”

  He nearly spat the other gentlemen’s names, and Tabitha worried that he might be jealous. Sophia made a small scoffing noise, but quickly masked it by coughing. Tabitha subtly elbowed her in the side.

  “Yes, well, unfortunately that is often the nature of those types of gatherings,” she shrugged, keeping her voice light and polite. “The attention of the host and hostesses must be shared by all.”

  “Very true,” he nodded. “Which is why I am here today.”

  Tabitha was not following the conversation in the least.

  “I am afraid I do not understand, My Lord?”

  “I recently purchased a new barouche, and since the day is so lovely, I thought you might enjoy a ride with the top down.”

  Tabitha’s stomach clenched with dread, wanting very much not to accompany him for a ride.

  “I…I thank you for the generous offer, My Lord,” she stammered, scrambling to come up with some excuse to reject his invitation. “I…I am afraid, though, that the Baron would not allow it. He is very particular about these things, you know.”

  “Oh, but he has already given his permission,” Lord Burrows countered.

  Tabitha blinked, stunned. “He…he has?”

  The gentleman nodded. “Indeed, he has. I sent your butler along to ask him before you arrived, and the man returned with the positive response.”

  “Is that so?” Tabitha could not begin to guess why her papa would say yes to the request. She did not think he particularly liked Lord Burrows, so why would he give the gentleman permission to drive his daughter around.

  “Of course, he insisted a chaperone accompany you,” Lord Burrows added. His eyes fell on Sophia. “Why, you could join us, Miss Sophia. That should satisfy the Baron and assure we are not accused of impropriety.”

  Sophia turned wide eyes up to Tabitha, as if seeking guidance in how to respond. Tabitha had nothing to offer her, as she struggled to think of something to say herself. If the Baron had already granted his permission, there was little use in trying to convince Lord Burrows that they were busy or incapable of joining him.

  It appeared they might be stuck going with him.

  “I…I suppose there is no need for further concern,” she said at last, wincing at how high her voice sounded. “If the Baron has said we can go, then…then I suppose we shall.”

  Sophia squeezed Tabitha’s fingers so hard, her bones rubbed together.

  “Excellent!” Lord Burrows declared. “My coachman is waiting outside. Ready yourselves, and we shall go.”

  Tabitha curled her lips into a smile that she was certain was more like a grimace. She shared a glance with Sophia, who appeared on the verge of panic.

  My sentiments exactly, sister. My sentiments exactly.

  * * *

  The ride proved slightly less painful than Tabitha had suspected it would be, but it was still incredibly awkward. They rode toward town, Tabitha and Sophia on one side of the vehicle, Lord Burrows on the other. The gentleman talked incessantly the whole way, but it was somewhat of a relief, as Tabitha and her sister were not required to contribute much to the conversation.

  They sat, pressed together in what was truly a fine barouche, their fingers still intertwined so they could have some way to communicate their discomfort with each other. Sophia would squeeze her hand whenever Lord Burrows said something particularly pompous, and Tabitha would do the same when he attempted to compliment her in some ham-handed way.

  “Miss Walters, I must compliment you on the fine color of your gown. It does such an excellent job of brightening your eyes and hair,” he said as they neared town. He had been going on and on about his extensive holdings in India, and so the comment came quite out of nowhere and took her by surprise.

  “Oh…thank you, My Lord,” she replied. “Green is my favorite color, in truth.”

  “It is much more flattering than when you wear plain colored clothes,” he nodded, in an instant undoing the progress his first statement had made inching his way into her good graces. “You are far too pale for lighter colors. Apart from your cheeks, of course.”

  She gripped Sophia’s fingers so tight, her sister let out a small squeak of protest.

  “Yes, well I do not suppose any of us can be lucky enough to look our best in everything,” she bit out, hanging onto her civility by a thread.

  “Indeed, that is true. I have been told I look rather dashing in most shades, so I appear to be among the lucky few.” He smiled at her as though he had not just grievously insulted her and displayed his vast ego in one fell swoop.

  How can he think I would be receptive to this? Do other ladies endure his words with smiles on their faces?

  Sophia was wiggling next to her, and Tabitha realized she still maintained a tight grip on her hand. She released her sister immediately.

  “I do not know, My Lord,” Sophia inserted herself into the exchange, shaking her hand. “I think that my sister looks lovely in anything she wears. Many people admire her looks, and she is seen as the top beauty in the county.”

  “Rightly so,” Lord Burrows readily agreed. “She is rather stunning out here in the country.”

  Tabitha frowned at how he specified the country when speaking of her. Did he not think she would hold up against the beauties of town?


  It does not matter what this insufferable fool thinks. With his bad manners, I would not be surprised if he were banned from most homes in London.

  Still, it irked her to be compared to ladies she had never even encountered before. She found herself wondering, strangely enough, if Lord Morrington felt the same way. Did he compare her to the ladies he knew from London’s high society? How did she stack up against them in his mind?

  She was growing more furious with Lord Burrows for putting these thoughts into her head, but she was also frustrated with herself for entertaining them. Tabitha had never cared if people thought her beautiful before, and she could not fathom why it mattered so much to her now.