Page 5 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
In her mind, a recluse was hunched, pale faced, reticent in his gaze. But he was none of those things. He had brought several others with him. Servants proceeded to dig the carriage out of its rut while the earl helped Amelia and her mother to his carriage.
“It’s really very kind of you to come yourself, my Lord,” Amelia’s mother said, and the earl smiled.
“When your escort arrived, I couldn’t very well remain in the warmth of my drawing room while you suffered out here. Please, won’t you climb inside? It’s far warmer there. Perhaps a little something to drink? I’ve some plum brandy here,” he said. From a box on the seat, he produced a bottle and two small glasses.
The drink was warm and reviving, and Amelia smiled, catching the earl’s eye, and feeling only grateful to him for his chivalry.
“You must think us to be terrible fools—damsels requiring rescue,” she said, but the earl shook his head.
“Not at all. I’m only glad to be of assistance. You’re here at my invitation. It’s the least I can do,” he replied.
As he held her gaze, another shiver ran through her, despite the warming effects of the brandy. There was something about him, an unexpected attraction. Amelia was surprised at herself. She had not experienced such thoughts since…
“And we’re very grateful to you,” Amelia replied, clasping at the locket around her neck.
To think such thoughts seemed like a betrayal of Rupert’s memory. She did not mean to feel this way, to be caught up in such strong feelings. Perhaps she was tired, or cold, or…
“Please, you must stay warm. We’ll get going shortly. Stay in the compartment. There’re blankets there to wrap around yourselves. I’ll go and see how they’re getting on with digging out your carriage. We’ll be at Ashworth House soon enough,” he said.
There was a quiet calm about him, a reassuring presence, and Amelia was entirely caught up in this first encounter, taken aback by the thoughts running through her mind.
“He’s quite charming, isn’t he?” her mother said, as the earl returned to the digging.
“What? Oh, yes…he certainly is. Unexpectedly so,” Amelia replied, hardly daring to think of the earl, whose appearance had had such an unexpected effect on her.
She was flustered, guilty even.
“Don’t be so foolish,”she told herself, taking a deep breath and peering out of the carriage window to where the earl himself was helping dig their own vehicle out of the snow.
A lamp burned in the compartment where they were sitting, illuminating the plush interiors. Cushions, embroidered with the earl’s coat of arms, rested on the red upholstered seats, the interior lined in walnut wood, comfortable and cozy.
“I just want a hot cup of tea,” Amelia’s mother repeated.
“I’m sure we’ll be on our way soon enough,” Amelia replied.
Despite herself, she could not take her eyes off the earl, who had now taken off his overcoat and was helping with the shoveling. He was magnificent; strong and agile. She imagined him without his shirt, the ripples of his muscles taut and defined.
“What’s got into you?”she asked herself, for he was hardly the first man she had laid eyes on.
But since Rupert’s loss, Amelia had denied herself the possibility of romance. There had been potential suitors, men who had shown considerable interest in her. But her own feelings had held her back. London had reminded her too much of what had passed, and whenever a man showed his interest in her, it felt to Amelia like a betrayal in the very place her love for Rupert had blossomed. But here, in the wilds of Devon, rescued by their host, Amelia had found herself unexpectedly disarmed, her guard let down, revealing her immediate feelings.
“Pour me some more of the plum brandy, Amelia. I’m starting to shiver,” the baroness said, and Amelia did as she was told, still watching from the window as their own carriage was now pulled free from the ruts.
“They’ve done it, mother. We’ll be on our way soon,” Amelia said, her heart skipping a beat as the earl now approached the carriage they were sitting in.
“I’ll have my men see to things here. But we should be getting back. You’ll want to get properly warm. Even plum brandy has its limitations compared to a fire. Come now,” he said, climbing into the compartment.
He sat opposite Amelia and her mother, smiling, as he called out for his own driver to set off.
“You’ve done us a great service, my Lord,” Amelia said, blushing, as he met her gaze.
“Nonsense. I’m only glad to see you both in one piece. You’re very welcome here,” he said, smiling at her, and as the carriage set off towards Ashworth House, Amelia could not help but think just how glad she was to be there in his company as she wondered what the coming days would bring.
Chapter 3
“This is Ashworth House. You can’t see it very well in the dark, but you can see the lamps in some of the windows. A welcome sight, after your ordeal,” the earl said, pointing out the carriage window.
Amelia peered out into the darkness. She could see the outline of a large house, with gables and wings emerging from what was perhaps once an ancient peel tower. A covered portico was lit by a lamp above the door, and several of the windows were lit, creating a welcoming sight in the darkness. She glanced back at the earl, finding him watching her. His gaze averted swiftly as their eyes met.
