Page 13 of Treating a Sinful Earl
This little quiet discussion did not go unnoticed by Simmons, who said, “Is there something amiss?”
“No, no,” Selina assured him. “We were just speaking of how stifling it is in this ballroom. I think that the chaperones have fled our presence due to the heat!”
Looking all around, Catherine thought that Selina might be right on that occasion. Their chaperones were nowhere in sight.
Simmons suggested, “Would you care to step out onto the veranda? I am sure that the air is more agreeable.”
Catherine felt her heart race in her chest. Yes, she very much wished to step outside with the Earl, but she could not go without her chaperone. “Come along,” Selina said, encircling her arm through Catherine’s. “We shall go together.”
“Felton and I shall dance,” Abigail proclaimed. “But the three of you can depart.”
Catherine gave one last glance towards Abigail, who looked at Mr Andrews with fondness in her eyes. They departed for the veranda, which was on the other side of the ballroom, and once they stepped out, Catherine closed her eyes and breathed in the cool air as though it were an elixir.
They crossed the veranda and placed their hands upon the balustrade, looking out upon the Duke of Brighton’s estate. It truly was remarkable how much land the Duke owned. Catherine could not help but remark upon it. “Such splendour. The duchess must be so happy here.”
Simmons replied, “Do you like it? Does it impress you?”
Catherine found this question odd. “It does not impress me in the sense that the Duke has wealth. It is the beauty of it all. But I surmise it takes a considerable amount of wealth to sustain such beauty.”
“That it does. Have you considered my offer? Regarding visiting my estate?”
Selina cleared her throat. “If you two do not mind, there is a marvellous sculpture yonder that I wish to view. I shall return shortly.”
Catherine took this as a hint that Selina wanted her to be alone with the Earl! Oh, her friend could be so vexing at times. Still, Catherine was grateful for the privacy.
“I have considered your offer, Simmons, and I would be most happy to attend.”
A smile came to his lips. “That would please me much. Seeing how impressed you are by this estate, I hope that my own does not disappoint.”
Oh, but there were terrible butterflies in Catherine’s stomach! Did the Earl wish to impress her? Surely, he would not have to do a thing because he already impressed her, just the way that he was.
“I am sure that it shall not disappoint. The home that I live in is rather quaint and simple. Everything seems to impress me.”
“Good, then I shall not be apprehensive about it,” he replied humorously. “And I am sure that the Dowager Countess would be pleased to meet you.”
“I should very much like to meet her.”
Except that Catherine would be a ball of nerves on that occasion. Not only did she have mounting feelings for Simmons, but the prospect of meeting his mother was even more overwhelming. Still, she very much wished to see where he lived and to be more familiar with him, in any way that she could.
“There is sweat clinging to your brow once more,” Catherine said with concern in her voice.
Simmons pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away the moisture from his forehead. There was a curious expression on his face as though he were worried about something. “Do not pay it any thought. It was rather stifling in the ballroom.”
“That it was. I am glad that we escaped onto the veranda. The temperature is so much more agreeable out here, just as you said.”
Catherine froze as she realized that Selina was nowhere in sight, and she and the Earl were entirely alone with one another. Oh, if her chaperone found out, Catherine would be in a world of trouble. Still, something instructed her that she was entirely safe in the Earl’s company and that there was nothing to fear.
She heaved a sigh, gazing out at the expansive lawn once more. The moon was rising, and a few stars were showing in the sky. In her estimation, it was a perfect evening, particularly with Simmons by her side.
She looked up at him and laughed, despite herself. “You are so very tall that it pains my neck to look at you!”
Instead of laughing, Simmons seemed concerned about this. “It frightens you.”
“Not in the slightest. It is merely humorous, the difference in size.”
Finally, the Earl was able to smile. “It is rather humorous. When I first beheld you, I feared that you might find me intimidating in some way.”
“I do not find you intimidating,” she said warmly. “Just the opposite, in fact.”
