by Laura Martin
‘Impressive,’ he murmured.
‘Do you have any idea how difficult it is to grow anything this close to the sea?’ Lady Elizabeth exploded, her voice carrying on the breeze much further than he thought she would want it to.
‘Either you planted these sorry specimens yourself and nurtured them to their current state or your anger at me is about something else.’
‘Of course it is about something else. The garden is just the garden, it hardly looked any better when we had two full-time gardeners rather than me and Annabelle in our old boots trudging about with watering cans.’ It was an image that was strangely appealing to Josh. He pictured Lady Elizabeth in a flimsy dress, the material blown by the wind revealing far more than it should, watering can in hand and heavy boots on her feet.
‘Enchanting,’ he murmured. ‘What part of my behaviour exactly has offended you?’
‘All of it.’
‘That’s not true, Lady Elizabeth.’
As she clenched her teeth he could see the little muscles just under her earlobes bulging and relaxing in little pulses.
‘Why do I like you so much when you’re so difficult to be around?’ she blurted out eventually.
He smiled even though he knew it would infuriate her more.
‘Perhaps you find me so difficult to be around because you like me so much.’
She glared at him as if everything were his fault, her fingers distractedly toying with the flower stems to her left. As if deciding something, she spun on her heel and began to stalk along the path at great speed, only stopping when she was halfway along to turn back and look at him questioningly.
‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘I didn’t realise the tour was continuing.’ He followed, walking even faster to keep up with her as she weaved in and out of the forlorn flower beds. There was a little summer house at the edge of the garden, obscured from sight of the house by a few scraggy trees that had grown all in one direction, their leaves all on the side away from the cliffs as if they were desperately trying to escape the wind that whipped over the precipice and hit them with full force much of the year.
The summer house was octagonal, made of wood and painted white although it looked as though the last coat of paint had been more than a decade ago. It was peeling badly with the bare wood showing through in places and even a few tell-tale cracks and bows. Inside there was a simple wooden bench that ran around the periphery and allowed the occupants to enjoy unrivalled views of the sea.
As Josh stepped up into the summer house Lady Elizabeth took a deep breath in and then reached out and gripped him by the lapels of his jacket. Before he could guess what was happening she was kissing him, long and hard. At first he was too stunned to react but soon his mind caught up with his body and he shifted slightly, pulling her in closer to him. As he moved he felt Lady Elizabeth let out a small sigh and the intensity of the kiss changed. It had been firm and insistent at first, as if she was trying to prove something, but now she abandoned herself to the kiss it was as if their bodies had become one.
Josh trailed his fingers down her back, feeling the curve of her spine and the tantalising hollow just above her buttocks. He’d never wanted a woman as he wanted Lady Elizabeth and, even though he’d spent the last two weeks repeating to himself why any sort of dalliance with her was a bad idea, all he wanted to do was tumble her to the ground and spend the next few hours exploring every inch of her body.
He felt her grip on his lapels intensify and her body brush against his as she moved closer and then, with a low moan, she pulled herself away.
‘What...’ he asked, his hand still lingering on her back ‘...was that?’
Lady Elizabeth didn’t answer him, instead shaking her head and frowning.
‘Not that I’m complaining, but I thought we’d agreed not to do that again.’
She stepped away, turning her back to him and walking to the edge of the summer house. For a moment he thought she was going to leave without another word, but eventually she turned back to face him.
‘I thought I could prove to myself a kiss didn’t mean anything. That I didn’t really feel anything for you.’
‘And what were the results?’
Pressing her lips together, she didn’t answer.
Josh wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms and kiss her until the frown on her brow disappeared and she thought of nothing but him, but he knew he couldn’t. Two months and he would be returning to India. He didn’t want a wife; he wasn’t made for marriage; the business was his priority. Lady Elizabeth needed to marry someone rich, and although he would be taking over his guardian’s business all the funds had to be reinvested to make it a success. Two very good reasons to keep his hands off her even before they came to the complication of Leo.
With great effort he took a step back and sat down on one of the wooden benches. What he wanted was to have Lady Elizabeth as his lover. To enjoy her for the few weeks he was in England, to spend lazy mornings in bed appreciating her beauty and her body and long nights talking until the sun rose. That was impossible. She was the daughter of an earl. The innocent daughter of an earl, and even he knew you did not even fantasise about a lady in that way.
‘There is another path,’ he said softly, forcing the words out. ‘I like you; you like me.’
‘I will not be your mistress.’
‘I wouldn’t ask that of you.’
‘Then what?’
‘We could be friends.’
‘Friends?’
‘It is better than trying to avoid one another for the next few weeks. We get to spend time together, enjoy one another’s company.’
‘What about...?’ She couldn’t finish her question.
‘The attraction?’ He shrugged. ‘We ignore it. I’m sure you’ve overcome greater challenges in your life, Lady Elizabeth.’
It felt like an eternity as she considered his proposal but eventually she nodded, coming to sit on the bench a respectable distance from him. Josh stopped himself from reaching out and taking her hand, settling on his friendliest smile instead.
‘Beth,’ she said. ‘When we are alone, I would like you to call me Beth.’
‘Beth. It suits you.’
‘Thank you, Josh.’ His name sounded like velvet coming from her lips, smooth and soft and seductive.
‘I think I need to go,’ she said, studying his face for a moment. ‘There will be guests arriving soon and my mother is already irate I missed your arrival. I’d better not miss any more.’
‘Better not.’
For another few seconds she didn’t move, and then, with a swish of skirts, she sped from the summer house without glancing back.
Josh closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the peeling paint.
‘You’re a fool, Joshua Ashburton,’ he muttered to himself. It was a foolish idea, trying to be friends with a woman he couldn’t stop fantasising about. A woman he had now kissed twice. He knew if she kissed him again he wouldn’t be able to push her away, however much he should.
Chapter Eleven
‘You look flushed, Elizabeth. I hope you haven’t been spending too much time in the sun. It is unbecoming for a young lady of good birth to have freckles.’
Beth hadn’t even noticed her mother standing by the wide glass doors in the drawing room, looking out over the garden. Lady Hummingford was as still as a statue, only her eyes moving as she looked through the glass. Even so, normally she would have noticed her, but she was so completely distracted by Josh she hadn’t noticed anyone was in the room.
‘No, Mother.’
‘I don’t want you going off riding for hours on end whilst we have guests.’
‘I won’t. Although I do believe Mr Ashburton is fond of riding. I thought I might suggest a ride and picnic one day.’
At the positive suggestion he
r mother softened a little and stepped away from the window.
‘Good girl. Perhaps tomorrow. I worry later in the week there may be a storm. Surely this humidity can’t last much longer.’
‘I will speak to Mr Ashburton.’
‘It will be better just the two of you, of course, but if he is unsure we can arrange a little trip out for all the guests.’
‘Yes, Mother.’
The door to the drawing room opened behind them and Lillian, their hard-working maid, stepped into the room. She was one of three servants they still had after having to dismiss the rest over a year ago. Lillian did most of the cleaning and general looking after the house. Mrs Turner was both cook and housekeeper now and saw everything ran smoothly. Ben was a young lad who saw to any heavy work as well as looking after the horses. In her father’s time they’d had a butler and a dozen servants, but now it was a stretch to afford just these three.
For the duration of the house party her mother had instructed Mrs Turner to hire some local boys from the village as footmen and a maid to help her in the kitchen, but Beth knew it was an expense that could break them if she didn’t secure a proposal soon.
‘A carriage is approaching, my lady,’ Lillian said, straightening the cushions as she spoke.
‘Thank you. Come, Elizabeth, we should greet our guests. Hopefully everyone will arrive in good time.’
The next hour was spent smiling and chatting to the select few guests her mother had strategically invited to the house party. Beth knew a lot of thought had gone into the guest list to make it an interesting mix of people to keep Mr Ashburton amused and the party a success. Her mother had made certain there were no other attractive eligible young ladies to make his eye wander and to make it easier to push her and Mr Ashburton together as much as possible.
The Potterton sisters from the village had made the list, two spinsters in their mid-twenties, accompanied by a mother who was cheerful and friendly but despaired of what to do with her daughters. Mr Williams and Mr Ralph, two young gentlemen Lady Hummingford knew from her friendship with their mothers. They were pleasant enough gentlemen, high in spirits, and Beth had met them on a few previous occasions so felt comfortable in their company. Lastly were Lord and Lady Melbon, the viscount and his wife from the neighbouring estate. They would not be staying, of course, but would come for the various dinner parties and excursions out. Lady Melbon was a difficult woman to get to know, quiet and withdrawn, but her husband made up for it with his loud anecdotes and opinion on everything.
Once everyone had arrived and been shown to their rooms, with the exception of the Melbons, Lady Hummingford had arranged for some light refreshments to be served. It was such glorious weather Beth suggested they carry a couple of tables and chairs outside and have the tea and cake on the lawn, shaded by the silver birch trees that grew along one side.
She was just supervising the moving of the tables by the two young new footmen when she felt a presence behind her.
‘Is now really the time to be having a spring clean?’ Josh asked, his eyes flitting backwards and forwards over the proceedings. The two young men were willing enough but clumsy and new to taking orders and had to be told where to put everything at least twice, which made for a farcical show.
‘I thought we might have tea and cake on the lawn, but we don’t have any garden furniture.’
‘Ah. I see. Under the shade of the trees?’
‘Exactly.’ Beth sighed as one of the footmen put a table down in full sun.
‘How many seats do you need?’
Beth counted up the guests in her head.
‘Eleven.’
Without another word Josh had hoisted a table into the air, picking it up and carrying it as if it were no heavier than a packet of letters. Beth watched in surprise for a moment before hurrying after him.
‘Put it down, you can’t do that.’
He grinned at her, ignoring the instruction and transporting the table to the spot in the shade she had indicated. Quickly he organised the two young temporary footmen to reposition the second table and then sent them to fetch the chairs.
‘Sometimes it is easiest just to do something yourself,’ he said, smiling at her in a way that made her heart flip in her chest.
Friends, she repeated to herself silently. Just friends.
Once the chairs were positioned, he surveyed the scene and then selected a chair. If Beth sat next to him, they would be the only ones on that side of the table. He gestured to the empty chair and watched her as she hesitated.
‘What if I promise to be on my best behaviour?’
‘I’m not sure your best behaviour is anything to boast about, Mr Ashburton. I know you, remember.’
‘We’re alone, Beth—you said you would call me Josh.’
She inclined her head, watching the house for any sign of movement. Her mother should be out here by now; if it were any other gentleman she wouldn’t leave Beth unchaperoned for so long, but, given her previous difficulties in identifying Leonard Ashburton, it wouldn’t surprise Beth if her mother thought she were sitting outside with Leonard and not Josh.
‘So how do I compare?’ Josh asked, closing his eyes and stretching out his legs. If he leaned his head back his face was in the sun and he looked like a cat basking in its warmth, a satisfied look on his face.
‘Compare to what?’
‘To the other men you’ve kissed.’
‘I’m insulted. You forget I’m a gently bred young lady. One does not go around kissing strange men.’
‘Except me.’
‘A terrible lapse in judgement.’
‘Of course...’ he paused for a moment then continued, still with his eyes closed and his head back ‘...but you still haven’t answered my question.’
Beth fiddled with a stray strand of cotton from her dress, trying to resist the urge to tug on it, knowing it might result in hours of mending with a needle, which she hated with a passion.
‘How do I compare?’ she asked, throwing the question back at him.
‘Hmm.’ He took half a minute to consider.
‘Now you’re being ridiculous. There can’t be that many kisses to compare it to.’
‘I am thirty-one years old.’ He sat up and leaned forward so their knees were almost touching.
‘Is this what friends do?’ Beth had never had a friend like Josh before. Even female friends were in short supply when you hardly ever left the estate. She had Annabelle, and a few young women from the local area who she talked to at the dances and dinner parties, but no one she would class as a close friend.
‘I wouldn’t know. I’ve never kissed a friend before.’
‘I don’t mean that. I know that’s not what friends do.’
He grinned at her and looked as if he was about to say something more when a group of guests came out of the doors from the drawing room. Leonard Ashburton was at the front, his expression serious as usual. He nodded in greeting to Beth and bestowed a shoulder squeeze on his brother.
Beth watched in interest as he chose his chair, noting without much emotion that he left the one next to her empty and sat himself in the one beside his brother instead. It should hurt her, this indifference he seemed to have towards her, but she had to admit she felt much the same about him. If he weren’t incredibly wealthy and didn’t have the means to save her family from destitution she wouldn’t even consider him as a future husband.
She closed her eyes as she felt the self-disgust almost overwhelm her. It all felt so shallow, so dirty, choosing who she would marry purely based on how much they were worth.
Silently she reminded herself she was doing it for Annabelle. For her sister, whose future she’d ruined when they were no more than little girls, who would never get out into the world and marry or have a family.
The other guests made their way over to the chairs leisu
rely, enjoying the afternoon sunshine. When everyone was seated Lady Hummingford stood, waiting until all eyes were on her before she spoke.
‘Elizabeth and I are so pleased you could all join us for this intimate little party. We have glorious weather and a beautiful setting. Of course, we will organise a few excursions and games, but we want you to have time to relax, to enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle of London.’
There was a murmur of agreement around the table and Mr Ralph nodded vigorously.
The two new footmen appeared on cue carrying a tray of cups and pots of tea as well as tall glasses of cold lemonade. Beth reached for one at the same time as Josh, their hands brushing. She pulled back quickly, too quickly, and as she recovered her composure she felt Leonard Ashburton’s eyes on her. His head was tilted ever so slightly to the left and he regarded her with a coolness that made her want to squirm in her seat.
Josh didn’t even seem to notice their hands had touched and was drinking from the glass of lemonade, looking as though he didn’t have a care in the world.
‘I’d like to see some of the coastline whilst I’m here,’ Josh said, addressing his remark to the general group but Beth knew it was directed at her. She allowed herself a moment to imagine riding out with him for a long day of exploring the little coves and high white cliffs of her home.
‘Good idea,’ Leonard Ashburton said. ‘Perhaps we could go for a trip tomorrow.’
He looked at her expectantly and Beth had to force herself to speak.
‘Yes. Perhaps we could take a picnic, ride over to Seaford and back.’ It was hardly the intimate picnic her mother would want her to arrange with Leonard Ashburton, but it was a trip out together all the same.
‘Wonderful,’ Josh said. ‘Now, tell me you’ve got some lawn games to play. Bowls perhaps? Or shuttlecock? Do you remember how I always used to thrash you at shuttlecock, Leo?’
‘My recollection is a little different.’ It was the first time she’d seen Leonard Ashburton smile. He looked different when he smiled. Still nowhere near as handsome as his younger brother, but friendlier, kinder.