Page 58 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
Chapter Twenty-One
Alison waited in the drawing room, still in her primrose-yellow gown. She had, though, checked her hair in the looking glass at least. She sat at the small table near the window that looked out over the gardens, and she stared out, feeling utterly miserable.
She drummed her fingers on the table as she waited. It was typical of someone like the Earl to be late.
He’s showing me who’s in control.
She had selected her seat carefully upon entrance. She did not select the main seating area in the middle of the room, nor anywhere that was easily seen from the doorway. Instead, she tucked herself into the corner table, away from anyone’s prying eyes.
She was determined not to let the Earl think himself so special that he deserved the best seat in the house.
“Rupert Sherriden, My Lady,” Jeffries said, and Alison rose to her feet. “The Earl of Belmont.”
He sauntered in as if it was his home, not hers, and he swept his way to the center of the room, where he took a seat with a grand smile.
“Join me over here, won’t you, Lady Alison?” he said, grinning at her. “This is a much more comfortable spot.”
Alison ground her teeth together as she noisily pushed her chair back and plodded over to where he already sat, spread out in grandeur. She unceremoniously plonked herself down opposite him.
“And good day to you, too, My Lord,” she said, maintaining a feigned smile.
“Tea,” he demanded, half-turning to the maid who quickly scuttled away in obedience. He turned back to Alison. “I’m surprised you didn’t already have that organized.”
Alison said nothing, only smiled.
The Earl looked at her, openly leering, and Alison tried not to shiver in her spot. She had promised her parents that she would make an effort—and she would, if only to distract them from her real thoughts.
She knew they only wanted the best for her, even if they wanted her to marry such a man. They couldn’t bear the thought of her becoming a spinster.
“As you are probably already aware,” the Earl said, his voice formal and unfriendly. “Your parents have agreed that we should be married. For me, the sooner the better. I am quite looking forward to having such a pretty young wife.”
Again, Alison did not respond. Promising to be polite was one thing, but she had no idea how to respond to such a comment, and so she smiled instead.
The maid came rushing back through the door, the tea set rattling on the tray.
“About time,” the Earl snapped.
The poor maid looked terribly harassed, and Alison could see her hand shake as she poured the tea. The Earl took the cup without a word, and the maid quietly backed away.
“I understand Belmont Manor is quite impressive,” Alison said in a bit to make conversation. “My mother tells me it is large enough to fit a family of fifty!”
“It’s large enough,” the Earl replied. “Although a family of fifty… do you want a large family, Lady Alison?”
Alison felt herself blanch, and she cursed herself for mentioning a family. She did not want to think of making a family with him.
“God willing,” she said, maintaining her stiff smile.
“Excellent,” he replied.
He slurped noisily at his tea and she squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable and unsure what to say next.
“Do you attend the opera often?” she asked in the end, keeping to a neutral topic.
“Not often, no,” he said. He clattered his cup back down onto his saucer and sat back, crossing one leg over the other. “I find it difficult to sit still for so long. I’d much rather be doing something productive, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, actually, I would,” she said, pleased they had found some common ground. “I adore horse riding especially. The open air is just wonderful.”
“Well, well, well,” the Earl said. “There is something we have in common. Why don’t we go for a ride now?”
