Page 13 of The Earl's Heiress
Arabella was enlivened by the direction of their discourse, and she refused to hide her opinion. If Lord Stanford was going to wed her, he should know she would not sit and smile and fall in cheerfully with a conversation of his choosing. Her life thus far had not been about pleasing a man, and she could not imagine it being so, although she knew this was expected of her.
He appraised her with his green eyes. “I don’t disagree with you with regard to misunderstandings. However, society may not agree. The English take great pains in teaching a young lady refined deportment. Proper conduct and decorum are seen as a measure of social standing and success.”
Admirable tact. His tone said he wasn’t judging her, merely making an observation. He didn’t say she lacked these attributes but emphasized how important they were. Arabella already knew, and it made her miss home even more. She didn’t want to constantly think of rules and be judged if she fell short. At least at home, she could be herself.
“I understand one must be above reproach to be a part of your refined society; my family’s wealth alone doesn’t ensure me a place.”
If Arabella were to attend the London season, she would have no shortage of suitors. She was one of the wealthiest heiresses to grace the ballrooms of England. She suspected thehaut tonwould not take kindly to a faux pas, yet they would eventually forget it.
His gaze was piercing, and she struggled to ignore it. Why did he have to look so damned good? The memory of his hot breath and tongue flooded back to her, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss him properly. He would be shocked if she made such an overture. Scandalous.
“You’re being rather frank, but yes. Is that not why you are here in England? To take your place in society?”
She was to marry a duke, an earl or a marquess, but she so wished it was a man she loved and adored and that the feeling would be reciprocated.
“Yes, but I would much prefer to return to America. I will miss my home and my family, especially my brothers and sisters.”
“Tell me about your siblings.”
“My sisters are all younger, Winnie, Elsie, and Lottie, and I have two brothers, Edwin and Martin. Winnie is quite looking forward to her season, so she is just as anxious as my parents to see me wed because next it would be her turn.”
Lord Stanford chuckled. “I’m also the oldest sibling, and I have three sisters, Cordelia, Matilda, and Dorothy. My father passed away this past year. It was a hunting accident.”
“My deepest condolences, Lord Stanford. I’m sure you miss him terribly.”
Arabella reached over, took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. She sniffed, realizing too late how unbecoming heraction was. Glancing down, they both stared at her hand for a moment before he lifted his gaze to her. His attention was riveted to her face as if he was truly seeing her for the first time. Arabella was sure tears shimmered in his green eyes before he quickly blinked them away. He was hurting, and she wanted to make it go away.
His eyes fell to her lips before he quickly looked away. Arabella shivered as if she was naked in a storm. He made her feel naked, undressing her with his eyes. She pulled her hand away and quickly glanced toward her mother, whose head remained firmly in her book. Apparently, she had not noticed.
“It is a beautiful day, Miss Arabella. Do you care for a walk in the garden?”
“I would like that very much. Mama, Lord Stanford, and I will take a turn in the garden.”
“Splendid. A lovely day for it. I will ask Gertrude to accompany you.”
Arabella and Lord Stanford waited until the lady’s maid, Gertrude, appeared before they exited the house and started walking toward the garden.
Temple smiled.Christ. Had he really just sat there like a simpleton when Miss Arabella held his hand? Those beautiful ladybug eyes were so wide and innocent; her lips parted slightly, almost an invitation. He admired her beauty in a way that he couldn’t when they first met. She was no longer wet and disheveled, and her transformation took his breath away. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips; it was all that he could do to stop himself from closing the distance between them. He imagined doing just that, lowering his head, pressing his mouthto hers and slipping his tongue inside without meeting any resistance. He wanted to know the taste of her. He imagined she would taste like fresh, juicy strawberries, but he had not stopped there. He tasted her sweet mouth over and over again, her full breasts, and her soft, moist thighs.
Good God. Had he completely lost his senses?
It wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. He wanted more. He had scooped her into his arms and carried her to her bedchamber, laid her on the bed and ravished her until they collapsed in exhaustion. He would take her slowly and wickedly, enjoying her at his leisure. He would capture her soft sighs and moans with his kisses.
No other woman had ever affected him in this way, and it was unnerving. He had almost jumped from his chair when she touched him, but he asked her to walk in the garden to save himself the embarrassment.
Temple had wondered how he would feel when he saw her again. Was it a fleeting attraction, or was it something more? Now, he knew for certain it was more. He was safe in the knowledge that being with her would be more than meeting his duty because she made his heart race.
“It was remiss of me not to ask you about your horse that bolted.”
“It is kind of you to enquire. You may recall he ran away without control, but I believe it was because of the thunder. Unfortunately, he crashed into a few trees and then a fence. He broke two knees and had to be … had to be put down.” The tears shimmered in her eyes, and now it was her turn to try to blink them away.
“I’m truly sorry.” He said with all the empathy he felt.
They rounded a bend among the hedges, and they were shielded from Gertrude for a moment. He stopped and faced Arabella just as she swallowed hard, fighting back the tears. Shedidn’t succeed, and a tear ran slowly down her cheek. Temple raised his hand, cupped her cheek, and used his thumb to brush the tear away. Her lips trembled. He wanted to take her in his arms, rest her head against his chest and stroke her hair, but instead, he took a step back. It wasn’t a moment too soon because Gertrude rounded the bend.
They resumed walking down the path before she spoke. “I could have fared much worse, such as broken bones, being trampled on, or even losing my life. Death takes from us the familiar faces of those we love and esteem. I can’t imagine how much it would have devastated my family.”
“I know the feeling all too well.”
