Page 27 of Courting the Earl
He rubbed at an ache in his chest. The truth was that he couldn’t answer her question. “I don’t know.”
Her gaze swung to meet his, her eyes wide. “That’s not what you said earlier. You told me that you had no intention of marrying for the next few years. What has changed?”
What indeed. “I hadn’t planned on it, no. And finding out my father was forcing me to do his bidding even from the grave?” A haze of anger threatened to overtake him whenever he thought of his parent’s manipulations. But he wouldn’t allow those emotions to creep into this conversation. “I’m not actively searching for a wife, but I’m not totally against the idea. As long as it’s a match of my choosing, of course.”
She searched his gaze, no doubt trying to ascertain the veracity of his statement. But in her eyes, he could see the question she wanted to ask. She wanted to know if he’d found that woman. If perhaps it might be her.
She opened her mouth to ask the question but then pressed her lips together and looked away.
He was overcome with the urge to shake her. She was so intent first on seeing him wed to her cousin and then wanted to introduce him—albeit begrudgingly—to another younger woman. Why couldn’t she entertain the possibility that maybe the two of them could have something more?
“Ask me your question, Eleanor.” His voice was rough, betraying him.
She shook her head, and he was unable to stop from reaching for her. His hands were on her shoulders, and he turned her to face him.
Her eyes were wide with surprise. “What—?”
He lowered his head and kissed her. It was soft, tentative. He might be frustrated, but he wasn’t a brute who would force his unwanted attentions on a woman.
She stiffened in his arms. He was just about to pull away when she softened and leaned into him. He wrapped his arms about her waist and deepened the kiss.
It was clear she was a novice at kissing, but she was also a fast learner. Within moments she was meeting his hungry kiss with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around his neck.
One hand moved to her breast, kneading her there, enjoying the soft moan that escaped her lips. Mad with lust, he trailed his fingers along her décolletage and reached into her bodice.
With a gasp she pulled away from him. Her pupils were dilated, her breathing harsh as she rose to her feet.
“What are you doing?” Her voice was rough with the same emotion he was feeling. Lust. But he could also see her guilt.
He’d pushed too hard, taken things too far. He should have waited until after the betrothal was a thing of the past.
He took a step back, needing the distance from Eleanor’s distracting scent to clear his head. He ran a hand through his hair. “You are the most vexing woman I have ever met.”
They stared at each other for several seconds.
“I should return,” she said. “I’ll be missed if I remain away too much longer… if I haven’t been already.”
He nodded. “I’ll show you the side entrance I used and then return through the garden doors. If anyone questions you about your absence, you can make an excuse about going to the retiring room. You’ll need to pass by it before returning to the ballroom.”
She nodded, and they walked side by side in silence. His hands were clasped behind his back so he wouldn’t reach for her again.
Stanley had better offer for Eleanor’s cousin soon. Geoffrey didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to keep his distance from this woman.
Chapter 15
Her encounter with Hargrove left her feeling elated but she also couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Despite what Lydia had told her yesterday evening, she and Hargrove were still betrothed. Eleanor shouldn’t have returned his kiss.
She didn’t know what to do, so she avoided him. Over the next two weeks, he was at every event they attended. A tall, imposing presence, his gaze following her wherever she went. And the worst part was that he wasn’t even hiding his interest. If there was dancing, he came to claim her hand for the waltz. He didn’t even ask, and she wouldn’t have refused him if he had.
If Lydia noticed, she didn’t care because she was equally wrapped up in Lord Stanley. Eleanor wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that the two men had formed a pact—divide and conquer the Pearson cousins.
Lydia came into her bedroom that night after they were both ready for bed. She did so every night, her conversation peppered with Lord Stanley and how handsome and chivalrous he was. They’d attended a rout that evening. The house party had been crowded and there hadn’t been any dancing.
Lord Stanley had been by Lydia’s side for most of the evening. Eleanor, of course, had been with them for most of the evening. Lord Hargrove hadn’t been in attendance. She’d grown so used to seeing him every evening that his absence had unbalanced her. She’d missed him.
Lydia sat on the edge of Eleanor’s bed and watched her as she plaited her hair before turning in for the night. Eleanor studied her cousin’s reflection in the dressing table mirror.
Lydia took a deep breath before saying, “I’m going to speak to Father tomorrow about breaking the betrothal.”
