Page 41 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
“But if I do anything other than this, even if I tell anyone about what he has said, then he will begin those threats!” Her voice rising as panic began to flood through her. “I must protect you all. I must – ”
Lord Calverton’s arms were suddenly around her waist and before she could move, before she could react, his mouth was on hers and she was pulled tight against him.
The fear she felt, the dread, the worry and the concern all faded into nothingness. Instead, she was left with a feeling of relief, of ever growinghappiness. It burst through her like fireworks, sending heat into every part of her being until there was nothing she could do but cling to him.
“I am sorry.” Lord Calverton broke their kiss somewhat abruptly, pulling back rather sharply. “I did not mean to – that is to say… ”
“Please do not apologise.” Temperance let out a small, broken laugh as she closed her eyes for a moment. “I do not think I could bear that.”
“Then I shall not.” Lord Calverton’s voice was gentle, one hand going to her chin as she looked back into his eyes. “Temperance, I care for you. I believe that I am half in love with you already! I do not want you to suffer, I do not want you to bear a burden that is not yours to carry. If you will permit me, I will find a way to break this engagement and to have Lord Barlington’s wickedness shown to all who know him.”
Temperance could not bring herself to believe it. It seemed too good to be true, too wonderful a prospect. “I do not think you can, Lord Calverton. His threats are too many, his strength too great.”
Lord Calverton shook his head. “No, it is not. I will find a way. I will not be alone in this. Lord Thurston will be of aid to me.”
Again, fear clutched at Temperance’s heart. “I am afraid that he will find out, that my friend’s good name will be ruined!”
“Can you trust me?”
The question quietened her and, as she looked back into Lord Calverton’s eyes, Temperance felt her heart begin to piece back together.
“Yes,” she breathed, after only a few moments. “Yes, I think that I can.”
“My heart is filled with nothing but affection for you, Temperance,” he told her, his face only a few inches from her own. “I cannot help but care for you. Even if you did not return my affections, I would do anything I could to prevent you from stepping forward into the unhappiness that you would be sure to get from any future with Lord Barlington.”
Tears began to burn in Temperance’s eyes, her happiness beginning to flood through her, chasing away the sorrow, the anxiety and the dread which she had carried with her. “But I care for you in return, Calverton. I had never dreamed that such a thing might be, I thought I would be contented to live out my years here, alone with my aunt and uncle, but instead… instead, you have offered me such a happiness that it tore my heart into pieces to think it was now taken from me.”
“It hasnotbeen taken from you.” The fervency with which he spoke made Temperance tremble but this time, it came from sheer joy rather than fright. When he leaned down, she was ready for him, kissing him back with a sweetness which tore through her without hesitation. It made her heart sing, her joy complete as she leaned into him. She trusted him, trusted that he would be able to do as he had promised and, as he wrapped his arms tight around her, Temperance knew she was safe.
Lord Barlington would not succeed. Her future was no longer dark. She had Lord Calverton’s word and that was all that she needed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I should call him out.”
James shook his head as his friend marched up and down the drawing room, his teeth gritted. “That would do no good, my friend, though I quite understand the sentiment.”
“My poor, dear Temperance,” Lady Thurston breathed, her face rather pale. “I cannot believe she has endured so much!”
“It seems that the Duchess is quite contented with it all, though I do not think that she is aware of the Marquess’ threats,” James replied, finding his anger burning hot as he thought of what the Duchess had done, albeit unwittingly. “She is so determined for her daughter to marry the very highest title that she has not realized the darkness of his character.”
“Then what are we to do?” Lord Thurston demanded, stopping for a moment and throwing up his hands. “If we call him out, then we have a chance of putting this to an end… permanently.”
Again, James shook his head. “I would surmise that the gentleman would make his escape and then go directly to London, where he would do as he has threatened.”
“And all would be lost.” Lady Thurston passed one hand over her eyes. “Goodness, the man is very wickedness itself!”
“I would agree. Therefore, it is imperative that we find a way to prove that to all who know him. A way where we can take what we have learned and pass it to thetonso that he is rejected – and so that anything he says thereafter will be ignored, thereby wiping his threats of strength.” He eyed his friend carefully, relieved when Lord Thurston finally began to nod. “I think that we must ask Sir Jeffries.”
Lord Thurston’s eyes flared. “The knight?”
“Yes, recall that we saw him in conversation with Lord Barlington,” James reminded him. “We did not know what they were arguing about but it was clear that there wassomesort of altercation there.”
Slowly, Lord Thurston began to nod. “Yes, that is a wise idea.”
“Lady Temperance told me that the only reason Lord Barlington seeks to marry her is, as he stated himself, because of her dowry and the income she will bring to the marriage. Does that mean that he is not financially sound?”
“It may be,” Lady Thurston agreed. “But you will have to have evidence of that. Saying anything to him is much too risky.”
