Page 34 of Gambling with the Earl
She had spent less than seven nights in Rossfarne Castle, yet the time away from home had dimmed the light of her responsibilities. Rosalind’s words had brought them back into sharp focus.
She didn’t want her younger sister learning to bake bread. She didn’t want the hard-working Erkines to provide them with food. Rosalind may have been taken in with their false tales, but Kitty recognised the gift of bacon for what it really was.
Charity.
Charity which she didn’t want. Didn’t need. She was here in Rossfarne Castle with an earl who was far richer than she had ever imagined. She must recover her family jewels, take them home and put all of this to rights.
Whatever it took.
The confusion and worry of the morning had cleared away. Kitty was calm and resolute.
She returned to the kitchen, to the enquiring gaze of Cook.
“Who was at the door?”
It took Kitty a moment to frame an answer. She couldn’t tell of her letter from home. She’d allowed her fellow servants to believe she had no family. It was easier that way.
“A tinker,” she mumbled at last. “He had wares to sell but they were poor.”
Cook tutted as she slammed shut the kitchen door. “I hope you sent him on his way. We don’t want his sort around here.”
“I did.”
Agnes paused in sweeping the floor and looked at her curiously. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Kitty’s hands flew to her straw hat. “I’m sorry. I meant to go for a walk but I lost track of time. I’ll go and change.”
“Don’t rush about so, you’ll do yourself an injury.”
Cook’s warning followed her up the narrow stairs, but Kitty was too preoccupied to heed it. She glanced about the great hall, pleased to see no sign of Thomas, and flung herself up the curving stone steps to the servant’s chambers.
It seemed an age since she had crept from this room, intending to run away back to Shoreston. She should have known better. Problems were never solved by running away. Her mother had taught her that.
Kitty placed Lizzie’s straw hat safely in her closet and shook out her servant’s dress. Its drab modesty irked her, though she had never noticed before. Now she contemplated that her voice may have pleased the earl, but her appearance most likely did not.
But did she want him to take pleasure in her appearance?
Her head was spinning. If only she had someone to talk to. Or the merest hint of experience with the opposite sex. For many years, her only thoughts of men and marriage had focused on Rosalind and how she might make a good match for her sister.
Kitty tugged the fabric down over her chemise. It fit snugly over her hips and bosom. She’d never paid attention to her curves, but now she wondered if they might, somehow, work in her favour. If only she could draw his eye towards them.
Her cheeks grew hot at the very idea.
And then what?she demanded of herself.Will you flutter your eyelashes and suggest that he hands over the jewels?
She sank down onto her hard bed, suddenly dispirited. She’d looked everywhere for the jewels. There was only one room they could be in. The earl’s bedchamber.
Just like in her dream, her fingers rose to the top button of her bodice, and she undid it. Her heart pounded just beneath her hand.
Could she do whatever she needed to recover Rosalind’s chance of a future?
Chapter Ten
Four ornate coinchests were positioned on the floor next to his bed. Coin chests which were large, heavy and full to bursting. Such riches he had never seen the like of, not even while travelling with the king. Guy could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyes. Why had his uncle lived such a meagre, joyless existence when he could have purchased anything he wanted?
Guy suppressed a shudder as his mind found the answer to his unspoken question. With his heavily bolted tower room and infamous reputation, the old Earl of Rossfarne had openly enjoyed a life of base, indolent pleasures. To most people, the cold state rooms, shabby furnishings and sparse household hinted at poverty, but his uncle had found his thrills elsewhere.
“There’s rubies and pearls in this next one.” Thomas all but licked his lips in anticipation.
