Page 13 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
Shit.
It was the Earl of Montrose’s carriage, and a footman was helping the endlessly and tirelessly beautiful Lady Arabella from its confines. He wanted to be angry, oh so angry, but foolish longing got in the way every time he looked at her. Why in God’s name was she here?
“Is that …?” his father asked with a happy lilt to his voice, and he slowed his horse and jumped down, grinning from ear to ear as he hurried up to greet her.
Edward didn’t look as he slid down his horse, listening to his father’s joyous tones.
“So good to see you again, Arabella, my girl. You’ve been away too long.”
When he finally looked, his father took her hands, and something shifted inside Edward. Now that Arabella’s father was dead, it seemed that his father forgave the man. There had been animosity between them long ago. Edward had never been able to find out why. But thankfully, his father had never taken it out on Arabella. Especially not since he’d sensed his son had an interest in her long ago. Long, long ago.
“And the same to you, Your Grace.” She curtsied, and he tutted.
“Not at all. Come in, come in. Edward, would you like to escort the lady?” he said. “I will ask the footman to assist me.”
Edward wanted to glower at his father, but instead, he walked up to Arabella, and with no greeting, he offered her his arm.
Flushed, she said, “Well, Your Grace, I would like to speak to Lord Jameson privately. Perhaps a walk around the neighbourhood? There is a matter I need to discuss with him if he has the time.”
“Oh, of course.” The duke’s face beamed his pleasure. “I shall let the two of you go. But please visit us again.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him as the footman helped him up the steps.
And then, they began walking. Edward, unsure what to do with himself, put his hands behind his back. “Your father is looking well, I see. No doubt it is your return.”
My return has not made everyone happy, though.
“Yes.” He said nothing more, merely walked and waited.
Why on earth could she wish to see him after yesterday? After all the other times?
“I know you must think this odd, but I am here to speak to you. About something very important. Alvin has requested that I speak to you.”
He let his gaze turn to her, his eyes hungry for just a little peek of her. The ends of her blonde hair were curling out from under her bonnet with a pink ribbon. Her spencer was pink as well, but her gloves were cream. She reminded him a little of a pink confection, and he turned away, annoyed by his own odd thoughts.
So many questions were on the tip of his tongue, even beyond those of what had happened four years ago. He wanted to ask her if she still loved reading and had learned more about the stars as she’d promised.
He wanted to know if she was still sharing her mind with the matchmaking mamas of the ton or if she was still heartbroken over the loss of her father only about two years before. He’d heard of it through his father.
“I’m sure you heard that the engagement has been ended between my brother and his betrothed. And it is all because of a mysterious letter written by a man named Gregory.” She cleared her throat and told him the whole story, his eyes widening as he listened.
“And so, you see, Alvin wants someone to come with me to find the author of the letter. I have information as to the writer’s whereabouts. And he requested … you. The only person he could trust with such a task.”
“Me.”
“Yes.” She sighed and then paused. “I know you might not like it, but—”
“I agree.” He turned to look at her baldly, this time, facing one another on the edge of the street.
A little smile flickered on her lips as well as a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank you. That is so helpful.”
“For Alvin, of course.”
“Of course.” A little shadow flitted across her face.
For that was why he was doing it. At least in part. Alvin was a friend and a good one. But Edward also knew that if he wanted to find a little revenge against the woman who broke his heart four years ago, he knew that being closer to her would help him find that way.
“Thank you again.” She turned back towards the house and started to walk. “Please keep it to yourself, however. No one else needs to know. Not even your father.” He nodded at her, and once they reached the steps of his family home, she said goodbye.
