Page 15 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
He’d been desperate to see her, for he had known only after a few months of knowing one another and subsequent courtship that he was in love with her. And when he saw her rushing to him in a dark gown, her hair in a braid on her shoulder, he was flooded with a sense of relief. He had found her, and he’d known his life was just getting started.
“I love you,” he’d said even before she’d stopped to stand right in front of him, and her eyes were wide as they shone in the torchlight from the house.
“I love you too,” she replied soon after, and then, lowering his head, he kissed her.
Her kiss was soft and innocent, and he knew that he should be careful with her, and yet he’d been unable to help pressing his tongue against her bottom lip, begging her to open to him. She did, wrapping her hands around his neck and pressing her body against his. With a soft groan, he kissed her deeper, the taste of her intoxicating, the scent of lilies pressing into his nose.
The kiss quickly escalated, and her soft moans into his mouth were enough to harden him like a rock. He then remembered that they could be found, that Arabella could be embarrassed and that he was close to taking her on the lawn in front of her home. And so, he’d pulled back.
“Forgive me,” he’d said, and she’d shaken her head, a bright, mischievous smile on her face.
She seemed to know just how much she’d undone him at that moment, and he pushed a hand through his hair and stepped back. He’d been afraid that if she kept touching him, he would not think of consequences.
Chuckling, she twirled her braid and asked him, “You want forgiveness for kissing me or for the fact that I have taken your breath?”
He laughed then, falling in love with her just a little bit more. Another bump in the carriage brought Edward back to the present. He sighed, breathing in yet again that scent, the scent that had once felt like home but now felt like a betrayal.
Even so, she was asleep, and she was pressed against him. They had a long time until the inn they were to stay for the night, and he would have to just relax, let it all in. They had a mission to complete.
And I have my revenge to plan.
But as he closed his eyes and leaned back against the carriage seat, Arabella’s head on his shoulder and her skin warm under his touch, Edward didn’t think it looked like revenge at all. In fact, it looked rather the opposite.
Chapter 16
A few hours later, Arabella was anxiously looking out of the carriage door to see the Hamfield inn coming into view. A few raindrops lay against the window’s glass, and she hoped they could make it before the deluge arrived.
She’d fallen asleep with her book in her lap, and she thought for a moment that her head had been on Edward’s shoulder, but she couldn’t be sure. And with him sitting in front of her on the opposite seat, she wasn’t sure if she’d made that part up.
“We’ll get there,” Edward soothed, and it had Arabella turning to him, wondering how he had divined her thoughts. “We must define the roles we are to play now. We are Mr and Mrs Sheffield, no Lord and Lady. Titles would simply draw attention, and word could spread, which we don’t want.”
She nodded slowly. Alvin had told her of his idea, and she had been nervous, but it was the better choice. If only she’d been allowed to go on her own, then she wouldn’t have to even think about pretending to have a husband.
She wouldn’t have to worry about the tightness in her belly every time he came near and every time she could smell his scent: leather with something smooth and spicy like whisky. She couldn’t identify it, never had been able to. But it was entirely masculine as if formed to pluck at her desire.
The carriage stopped, and some men were calling outside to be heard over the rain, which had grown in intensity. The door opened, and Edward stepped down first, his hand reaching for hers. With a smothered sigh, she took it, feeling the strength and warmth in it as he helped her down to the muddy front of the inn.
“Watch your step,” he murmured as he put her hand on his arm, and they hurried to the front door.
It was dark and very late, and once they were inside, hit with the warm feeling and smells of the inn, Arabella let go of his arm. Her body wanted to snuggle closer, but her logic won out. Touching Edward was not a wise thing, nor did it do anything to help heal the wounds she thought had already scarred over. Edward went straight to the innkeeper to discuss rooms, and after some discussion, he returned to her side, looking a little frustrated.
“It is due to the rain, but only one room is left. I—intended to get separate rooms.”
“Oh, well, I suppose we must make do. We are husband and wife, after all,” she said, red climbing her neck and cheeks, and she looked down before he could see it. Grasping her skirts, she led the way towards the waiting innkeeper, and he smiled.
“Mrs Sheffield. We will send some trays to your room, and baths will be prepared as well.”
“Thank you, sir.” Her whole body tingled with the realisation that she was going to have to sleep in the same room as Edward after hours cooped up in a carriage with him.
The kiss from the garden and the rest of what had happened that fateful night would not leave her mind or her imagination. It had her palms sweaty, and her stomach felt full of butterflies. Did he think of it, too? Did he remember it? Or perhaps the multitude of lovers he’d likely taken in Europe had erased her from his memory?
“Here we are.” The old innkeeper opened the door, and he led them inside.
It was a comfortable room, warm and cheerful, with little décor besides the bed, side tables, small chairs, and a pewter pitcher and bowl. A fire was already stoked and ready, and Arabella’s eyes dragged to the one bed, and it made her pulse beat so quickly, that she didn’t hear the innkeeper depart.
“I will give you some time to freshen up,” Edward said, leaving his hat and coat by the door and shutting it behind him.
Arabella sat on the bed, a little sigh escaping her. At least without Edward near, she could form some thoughts. She was tired, though, and it was far more difficult to focus while she removed her gloves and bonnet and untied her cloak. Standing again, she hung them on the back of a chair near the fire, and then a maid knocked, bringing in hot water for a bath as well as only one tray of food.
