“What have I done to earn your ire?” he demanded to know. She appeared taken aback by his gruff tone, but he did not care. Enough was enough. “Why do you continue to judge me based solely on our first meeting?”
“I…I do not…” she tried to protest.
“You do,” he insisted, squeezing her hand. Her skin was so soft, he wanted to press his lips to the inside of her wrist. “I have done nothing to perpetuate your first impression of me, and yet you refuse to see past it.”
He expected her to argue with him. To push back against his claims and lay her evidence diminishing her character at his feet. Instead, she surprised him by releasing a deep sigh and nodding.
“You are right, My Lord,” she murmured. “I have been unfair to you. You are not who I thought you were when we were first acquainted.”
Edwin did not know how to respond to her words. He was so thrown off balance, it took him several moments to regain the ability to speak.
“Then…why do you continue to act as though you do not like me?”
Her rosy cheeks turned a darker shade of red. “I…I do not know. I suppose I am nervous to admit that I do not dislike you. It…it is easier to be around you that way.”
“Why?” He could not understand her. Edwin tried to come up with a logical explanation for her behavior, but nothing made sense to him.
“I cannot truly explain, My Lord.” Her tone was so soft, he struggled to hear her. “My…my feelings are so jumbled. I am so confused.”
He felt a strange fluttering of hope at her confession. “You are confused about your feelings toward me?”
She nodded, but did not say a word in response.
How I wish I could take you in my arms and make you see how much I want you!
Frustration slammed through him that they could not have this conversation alone, or that he could not kiss the lines of worry that appeared between her eyes and erase them from her lovely face. He wanted to whisk her away and stoke the passion he knew boiled just beneath the surface of her often cold exterior.
“Miss Walters, I…” He trailed off as something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Frowning, he glanced toward the edge of the dance floor and found Lord Burrows standing among the crowd, glaring at the two of them. Something in the gentleman’s manner made Edwin uneasy.
He did not simply appear jealous that Miss Walters was dancing with Edwin. He looked enraged. His face was red and blotchy, and his mouth was set in a hard, straight line. The look in his eyes promised retribution, though Edwin could not begin to guess what exactly that might mean.
He does not appear merely a disappointed suitor…
“My Lord? Is something the matter?” Miss Walters asked, her voice layered with concern.
He glanced down to her, but his eyes returned to search out Lord Burrows the next moment. To his surprise, the gentleman was gone.
Turning his attention back to Miss Walters, he said, “I am sorry. I thought I saw Lord Burrows watching us, but I may have been mistaken.”
He was not, but he did not want to alarm her.
She released an aggrieved breath. “I would not be surprised if he was watching. No matter what I do or say, he does not seem to understand that I have no interest in him.”
“I do not like the way he looks at you,” Edwin confessed.
Miss Walters was silent for several moments before replying, “How does he look at me?”
“I dare not say, for it would shock your feminine sensibilities.”
Her chest rose as she took in a quick breath. “Oh? Are you so sure about that?”
There was something in her voice that heated his blood. A teasing promise of some kind, as though she were daring him to push her boundaries.
Lowering his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “He looks at you as though he is obsessed with you. There is a hunger in his eyes that makes me think he wishes to devour you. I do not like it, because I wish to devour you myself.”
Her breathing grew heavy as he spoke, and he pulled back his head to observe her expression. She was flushed, her eyes glassy as she stared back up at him. If anyone nearby were paying close enough attention to them, the lust shining in her gaze would be clear to see.
“Miss Walters?” he smirked. “Are you feeling all right? You look feverish.”
She blinked, as if coming out of a haze. Her mouth fell open slightly, and she appeared mortified. At that moment, the music stopped, and the dance ended.
Miss Walters quickly broke from Edwin’s hold and distanced herself from him.
“Miss Walters…”
“Thank you for the dance, My Lord,” she hurriedly whispered. “It was…enlightening.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away from him, disappearing into the crowd.
* * *
She was hot. So, so hot. She needed air desperately. Hurrying from the dance floor, Tabitha made her way to the open doors of the ballroom leading out onto a large terrace. She did not venture far, just to the edge of the stone steps that would take her down into the garden. She stopped and stared out into the dark, pressing the back of her hands to her burning cheeks as she fought to gain control of her racing thoughts.
Lord Morrington had overwhelmed her with his touch and his voice. When he had told her those things about what Lord Burrows wished to do to her…what he himself wished to do to her…she had nearly combusted right then and there. No gentleman had ever spoken to her like that before. None had ever dared to try.
Tabitha tensed when she heard footsteps approaching her from behind.
Has Lord Morrington followed me out?
Her heart thrummed with excitement and she spun around with a small smile she could not fight. The corners of her lips fell, however, when she met Lord Burrows’s infuriated gaze.
“Miss Walters,” he hissed. “You appear to be having quite the night.”
His clear anger startled her, and she took an instinctive step back. The doors were wide open behind him, so he could not do anything without drawing notice, but there was no one on the terrace with them to hear what he said to her.
“My Lord,” she replied in a cautious voice. “I am afraid I do not understand. Are you upset about something?”
“Am I upset?” he snapped. “Why yes, Miss Walters, you could say I was upset.”
“May…may I ask why?”
He did not move toward her, but his body tensed for a moment as if he would.
“The way you have been watching Lord Morrington is rather unbecoming.” His hands clenched at his sides. “And the way he has been watching you is obscene. You both will set off a scandal before the night is out.”
Tabitha gasped, horrified. “I beg your pardon, My Lord, but that is hardly an appropriate thing to say to me.”
“It is rather hypocritical of you to accuse me of impropriety, when you had yourself nearly draped over Lord Morrington on the dance floor just now.”
“Lord Morrington and I were a respectable distance apart,” she insisted. “No one in that room would accuse us of crossing any lines.”
Lord Burrows did not appear appeased. “You give yourself away too easily to him. It is clear to anyone who watches you together that you desire him.”
She would have slapped him had he not been out of reach.
“Lord Burrows, you go too far,” she hissed. “You should consider your next words carefully if you truly value my friendship.”
That seemed to give him pause. His mouth clamped shut, but he did not stop glaring at her. At length, his shoulders slumped, and his face fell, and he was suddenly the picture of misery.
“I am sorry, Miss Walters,” he murmured, casting his gaze to the ground. “I should not have said those things. It was terribly rude of me. I only…I only worry for your wellbeing, is all.”
Some of Tabitha’s anger melted away, but not her irritation. She knew it was not only his wellbeing he cared for. Lord Burrows was jealous, and he did not hide it well. No matter than he swore t
o only want her friendship, she had known that was a lie. He wanted more from her. He wanted her hand and her heart, and she suspected her body as well, but she was not willing to give any of that to him.
Would I be willing to give it all to Lord Morrington?
The thought took her by surprise, and she did not know how to respond to it. Momentarily frozen, she stared at Lord Burrows, who continued to keep his face lowered in shame.
Then, as if her thoughts had summoned him, Lord Morrington appeared in the doorway to the ballroom.
“Is everything all right, Miss Walters?” he asked, scowling as he stared at Lord Burrows’s back.
Relief swept through her. Whether it was the fact that she was no longer alone with Lord Burrows, or simply that Lord Morrington had come after her, she could not say. All she knew that she was glad he was there.
“Everything is fine, My Lord,” she replied, though she hurried around Lord Burrows to get to him. “Lord Burrows was just commenting on what a lovely evening this has proven to be.”
“Is that so?” he rumbled, not looking convinced of her words in the least. His gaze remained locked behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and found that Lord Burrows had raised his head back up and turned to watch them. She could no longer read his expression, and that frightened her more than when he had been angry.
Facing Lord Morrington once more, she said, “Shall we go back inside, My Lord? I must try and find my sisters.”
He reluctantly tore his gaze from Lord Burrows to meet her earnest stare.
Releasing a deep sigh, he said, “Yes, Miss Walters. Allow me to escort you to them.”
He offered her his arm, and she took it without hesitation. As they stepped back into the ballroom, she did not dare look back at Lord Burrows. She was too afraid of what she would see.
Chapter 26
“Miss Walters? A letter has arrived for you.”
Tabitha glanced up from her novel at the footman who hovered in the parlor doorway. It was the morning after the ball at Cantham Manor, and the house was quiet as her sisters and papa remained in bed. Tabitha had woken shortly after dawn, and despite the late hour that they had returned home, had not been able to reclaim sleep. She had risen, dressed, and gone about her day as usual.
Well, mostly. She could not go long without her thoughts turning to Lord Morrington and their dance together. It had been so intimate…too intimate, for the setting they had been in. Her cheeks burned every time she thought of what he had said to her, and her skin tingled when she recalled the feel of his large hands holding her. It was next to impossible to focus on reading her novel, but she had been trying all morning.
Nodding, Tabitha said, “Thank you.”
The footman moved toward her, the letter perched on a silver tray in his hand. He gave it to Tabitha, bowed, then turned to leave the room without a word. Tabitha waited until she was completely alone before opening the letter.
It turned out to be an invitation, not just to her, but to Unity as well.
Dear Miss Tabitha Walters and Miss Unity Walters,
As two of Laurelborough’s most prized young ladies, I feel it is my solemn duty to assist you in finding suitable husbands who match you in appeal and station. I would be most delighted if you both would attend a picnic I am hosting this coming Sunday. There will be a few others in attendance, including several gentlemen who have been carefully selected by yours truly. It should prove a very lovely time, and I do so hope you will both be able to attend.
Yours Sincerely,
Lady Corrington
Lady Corrington. The matchmaker of Laurelborough. Though not an official occupation, it had become so much a part of her identity, that she did not ever attempt to mask her efforts. Such an invitation may have shocked anyone outside of Laurelborough, who was not used to the well-liked Countess’s antics.
Tabitha sighed. She had no interest in attending a matchmaking picnic. She could only imagine the gentleman Lady Corrington had rounded up for this particular gathering. Tabitha had managed to politely decline such invitations before, but those had always been addressed solely to her. Lady Corrington had grown more sly and included Unity this time.
I will likely not be so lucky as to escape Lady Corrington’s clutches again.
Unity would undoubtably wish to attend. Not for the matchmaking aspect of the gathering, but simply so as to avoid hurting Lady Corrington’s feelings by declining. Tabitha considered declining without telling Unity.
Yet, even the thought of deceiving her sister in such a way had her stomach twisted with guilt. Unity would no doubt find out despite Tabitha’s best efforts. They did not live in a large town, after all, and Unity was a very social person. She would hear of the picnic, and hear that they were invited, then question Tabitha as to the fate of their invitation.
Tabitha released a heavy breath of defeat. All she could do was show her sister the invitation, and hope she did not wish to attend.
* * *
Unity wanted to attend.
So, the following Sunday, after attending church, Tabitha and her sister rode to Lady Corrington’s estate in an open carriage to attend the matchmaking picnic. The gathering was set up in the large open field behind Corrington Manor, with long tables spread out beneath the shelter of big old oak trees.
Tabitha had allowed her sisters to dress her up once more, this time in a pretty purple gown. Sophia and Unity had both gushed over her, claiming she would be the loveliest lady in attendance. Tabitha did not care one bit how she looked, but it did bring a smile to her face to see her sister’s so pleased.
They were escorted out to the picnic by a liveried footman, and saw that several others had already arrived and had begun mingling under the watchful gaze of Lady Corrington and a few eagle-eyed chaperones. When the Countess spotted the sisters approaching, she stood from her chair with a large grin.
“Oh, I am so excited that you have arrived!” she declared as they drew closer to her. Tabitha and Unity both dropped into curtsies and offered polite smiles to their hostess.
“Thank you for your kind invitation,” Tabitha said. As much as she did not want to be there, she would not show any amount of rudeness or irritation. “We were very happy to be included today.”
“Indeed, My Lady, very happy,” Unity concurred.
“Well, I am delighted to have you.” Lady Corrington turned with her arm spread to draw their attention to the interactions already taking place. “Please, feel free to join in on the fun. I believe you know most everyone in attendance.”
Tabitha’s gaze swept over the small group, and she fought not to groan out loud when her eyes landed on Miss Plain-Face Jane. The lady scowled at her, then turned her nose and gaze up to the gentleman she had been conversing with. Having Miss Jane present would prove trial enough, but then Tabitha saw Lord Burrows among the group, and her stomach twisted with dread.
Why is he here? Did he know I would be attending?
That thought was not rational, she knew, as he could have no way of knowing she would be in attendance. That is, unless he asked Lady Corrington directly, but that would be too bold a move, even for him. It had to be a coincidence, albeit an unpleasant one.
Finally, her gaze moved to the periphery of the group and she froze. Staring back at her, gray eyes wide with surprise, was Lord Morrington. Lord Habtage stood next to him, and his mouth curled up into a wide grin, no doubt because he spotted Unity. Sure enough, the very next moment, her sister moved past her toward the gentleman.
Tabitha would have followed, had she not lost the ability to walk. What on earth was Lord Morrington doing there?
Does he not know what this picnic really is?
What if he did know, and had attended without realizing she would be present as well?
Her heart twisted uncomfortably. Just when she had thought he had proven himself a decent person…
He was walking toward her before she realized what was happening, and she tried to force herself to move.
To escape. Yet his gaze held her in place, and she had no choice but to interact with him when he came to a stop in front of her.
“Miss Walters, it is good to see you again,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver coursing up her spine.
She gulped. “You as well, My Lord. It had not occurred to me that you would be present here today.”
“Well, Lady Corrington was rather insistent that we attend,” he explained. “She would not stop hounding us until we agreed to accept her invitation.”
Tabitha licked her lips, nervous to ask her next question, but dying to know the answer.
Improperly Enticed By The Rascal Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 20