Page 4 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
She hesitated.
The path which led down to the shore was much further along the cliffs and if she were to take that, if she were to make her way there and, thereafter, hurry back towards the paper, then she had very little hope of finding it again. The wind, in all its mischief, would have taken it away from her again and, no doubt, flung it onto the soggy sand or the sea itself and then what would she do?
Temperance swallowed tightly, then began to descend. This was the lowest part of the cliff face but all the same, it was not as though there was a simple path for her to follow. Instead, there were jagged rocks, sometimes hidden by the outcrops of earth and green grass which she stepped onto cautiously. Thereafter, large boulders greeted her, smaller rocks in between them and, once she had climbed over them, smaller stones and even pebbles which slipped beneath her feet.
Temperance let out a gasp of fright as she wheeled back, her arms spread wide, her hands reaching for something – anything to find. There were a few feet of a somewhat steep descent still to make and if she were to fall…
“Ho! You there! Whatever do you think you are doing?”
Temperance started in fright, having never once expected to hear someone else shouting through the wind. She could not even turn her head, ending up falling back and sitting down heavily rather than falling forward. Her body cried out in pain, her skirts putting only a little softness between her skin and the rocks, though she did not let a single sound come out of her mouth.
My sketch!
“Whatever are you doing?” the voice said again – but Temperance ignored it. Rising to her feet, she kept her attention fixed to her sketch. The driftwood still held it fast, though the edges fluttered in the ever-present wind. With urgent feet – but feet which still slipped across the stones and pebbles – Temperance made for it, her worry pushing her into a faster pace than she ought otherwise to have gone. With a cry of relief, she caught up her sketch, holding it fast, only for her feet to slip again. Letting out a cry, she half fell, half ran down the remaining stones to the shore. She did not think she could stop, her eyes wide, thewind whipping at her hair and her skin… and then something solid stopped her.
“Ho, there!”
Her breath ran out of her body as she blinked furiously, only to look to make quite certain that her sketch was safe in her hands. Sagging with relief, Temperance closed her eyes, only to then realize that whatever had stopped her was still very much present.
“Are you quite all right?”
A flare of fright rushed up Temperance’s spine and she quickly turned her head away, hiding her scarred cheek from this somewhat imposing gentleman. “Yes, I thank you.” Her voice was quiet but she focused on folding her sketch back into her book. “The wind stole something from me and it was imperative I found it again. I was afraid it would be taken to the sea.”
“You ought not to have climbed down that way,” came the reply and this time, Temperance dared a glance at her unexpected companion. Her stomach twisted, her heart pounding rather furiously as she looked into the gentleman’s face and saw the deep frown which settled across his forehead. There was a rather serious expression etched there, his hazel eyes fixed and firm as they looked back at her, dark hair over his forehead though his hat, despite the wind, remained quite steady. Temperance looked away again, taking a step away from him.
“As I have said, I was afraid that it would be taken to the sea and I would have lost it forever,” she answered, afraid now that this fellow might be someone nefarious and all too aware that she was standing alone with him on the otherwise deserted beach. “I thank you for your help.”
Much to her surprise, the fellow took off his hat and, just as any gentleman of thetonmight, bowed very low indeed.
“But of course. I am only glad that you did not fall and hurt yourself! I presume whatever you took back from the wind is now safely secured?”
Temperance nodded, making sure to keep her scarred side of her face away from him. “I have. “
“Very good. Then might I escort you back?” He offered her his arm but Temperance quickly shook her head. This fellow, whoever he was, was certainly dressed as a gentleman but that did not mean that he truly was one. She did not know his name andcertainly could not guess at his motivation and thus, refrained from accepting his company.
“I am well able to make my way back to my aunt’s house alone, I thank you.” She took another step back. “I have lived here for a long time and am well acquainted with the path.”
“Then I am surprised you did not take it as you came down,” he said, not offering her a single hint of a smile. “Did you say that your aunt’s house is nearby?”
“I did not but yes, it is,” Temperance answered, making another step away from him. “Lord and Lady Hartford?” She lifted her chin, thinking to herself that to mention the name of the Viscount Hartford would mean something to this fellow. Mayhap he would be more cautious in approaching her if he knew that she was highly connected. Much to her surprise, however, the gentleman’s expression cleared and he smiled, suddenly.
His expression transformed. Instead of a frown sending shadows into his eyes, there was a brightness there which filled his entire expression. His hazel eyes seemed a good deal more vivid and even his cheeks seemed to fill with a little more color.
“Ah, how wonderful! I am very glad to hear that the Viscount and Lady Hartford are still present here.” He bowed suddenly, then stepped closer to her. “Did you say she was your aunt? Then you must tell them both how eager I am to see them again – my mother will be eager for a reunion also! It has been some years since we have been able to return to the manor house here but now that we have come back, I am hopeful that previous connections can be reestablished.”
Temperance blinked in surprise, though she still did not turn fully towards him. The moment she did so, Temperance was certain that shock would replace the evident happiness in the gentleman’s expression and nothing but mortification would fill her. “My uncle is away on business on the continent,” she said slowly, as the gentleman nodded. “My aunt is still at home, however. Might I ask as to whom I should say is eager to speak with her again?”
The gentleman dashed one hand over his forehead. “But of course. Forgive me, I have not yet introduced myself. Goodness, I am not as improper as I appear, I promise you!” He smiled again, then inclined his head one more time. “The Earl of Calverton. My mother is Lady Calverton, and I am certain she will be utterlydelighted to see Lady Hartford again. It will mean a great deal to her.”
“I – I am glad to hear it.” A little uncertain as to what to say, Temperance dropped her head, keeping her gaze on the book of sketches she had in her hand.
“Are you certain I cannot escort you?” he asked, as Temperance quickly shook her head. “The path is rather far away and – ”
“I have walked this way many times,” Temperance told him, relieved now that she could take her leave of him. “Do excuse me, Lord Calverton. I will, of course, pass on your words of greeting to my aunt.”
“And I will tell my mother of Lady Hartford’s presence also,” came the reply. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss…” A frown flickered across his forehead, stealing his smile away. “I realise now that I do not yet know your title, my lady. Might I ask for it?”
Letting out a slow sigh as urgency pushed her away from him, Temperance forced a small smile. “Lady Temperance, my lord. My father is the Duke of Danfield.”
