Page 22 of Defying the Earl
Nathan laughed again but this time it was gentler.
“I will take your suggestion under advisement, my lady,” he bowed slightly from his seat beside her.
“What about the House?“ she asked. “Have you the patience for politics? Is it highly diverting and entertaining or does it drive you mad when the gentlemen cannot agree on matters?”
“You are very astute in your questions, my lady,” Nathan admired. “It is all of those things. But I have always had a keen desire to work for King and Country so I feel as though this is just a new way of doing so. Especially now that the poor man is so ill, all the more Parliament is needed. And with the realm extending into the colonies and so on, it would be impossible to govern without a parliament, I think. So I now take it as my sworn duty. That helps me when things get a little irritating. But it is annoying to me when I see that not all those who take their seat take it as seriously.”
Beatrice sighed beside him. “That is always the case, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“There are always going to be those who take things as they should and those who think everything is a lark. Much like when in school. Some of the students apply themselves and learn eagerly. And then there are the others who feel put upon for being there. I suppose some of the Lords feel put upon in their position. They never asked to inherit, just like you didn’t. No one asks to inherit. It’s a trick of birth. But with it comes rewards and duties and obligations.”
Nathan was impressed with her understanding of the matter and had to reprimand himself for the growing sense of attraction he felt toward her. Now was not the time for him to be developing atendre, that was for certain. And he still knew so little about her.
He grew flustered at the thought that the chit by his side was a far better investigator than he had ever been. The inn he was heading for came into view, and he almost wished it to perdition. But perhaps he could learn a little more about her over their pot of tea.
She was again looking around with wide-eyed eagerness as they pulled into the innyard.
“How quaint,” was all she had to say, though Nathan was certain that was a compliment and not a denigrating statement like it might have been from a more fashionable lady. “Have you been here before?” she asked, distracting him from the delicious sensations he was experiencing when he wrapped his hands around her small waist to lift her down to the ground.
Chapter Eleven
Those shivers mean nothing.
Perhaps if she told herself that often enough she would believe it. One would think she would become accustomed to the odd shivery sensation after two days of it, but that was not the case. They were both delicious and disappointing, just as much now as any other time she had encountered the handsome Lord Braxton. His lifting her down from his carriage was just an extreme example that nearly made her light-headed.
He broke your heart once before. He cannot be trusted. He is adept at bending the truth. He is far too high in the instep. He did not care about her feelings.
If she repeated all the reasons why having such shivery feelings for the Earl of Braxton was such a dreadful idea, perhaps she would be able to convince her treacherous heart not to develop feelings for the lout. But Beatrice wasn’t holding out much hope for such sensibleness. She almost sighed with her frustration but was determined to keep the intelligent man in the dark about her confused feelings if she could manage it.
Braxton was certainly not for her, even if she was growing more accustomed to the idea of marrying someone. Someone suitable. Not Braxton. Feelings could be fleeting. She certainlydidn’t need fluttery, shivery emotions clouding her judgment. They were playacting. She was well aware of that fact. She couldn’t be so daft as to fall for her own ruse. But the act felt very real from time to time, she acknowledged with a sigh.
“I have frequented this inn several times. They have the most skilled baker. Far more adept than you would expect at such an out of the way place.”
Beatrice blinked, having forgotten the question she had just asked him.
“Not so very out of the way, is it, my lord? We have barely left London behind.”
“Can you believe how quickly the city is growing?” Lord Braxton’s remark reminded Beatrice that he was far more experienced and knowledgeable than she. She couldn’t claim any knowledge of which buildings were newly constructed and which had been there for a generation. They all seemed most solid to her. Of course, the shanties were easy enough to spot and dismiss.
“You mentioned baked goods, my lord. What do you find most enjoyable in that regard?” Beatrice knew she was just making chatter. Braxton didn’t seem inclined to discuss much more about his time in Canada and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear about it further. Or maybe she ought to ask for all the details, if he would share them. It might ensure he never realized how his defection had harmed her more tender feelings. And it might be interesting. More interesting than discussing the weather or baked goods.
Not to say that baked goods were uninteresting. Bea had a taste for sweets as much as the next person, she was sure. But it wasn’t what courting couples were prone to discuss, was it?
They weren’t truly courting, though, Beatrice reminded herself. And they needn’t keep up the pretence if there was no one of Society to witness their interactions.
“Cookies, pies, breads, just about anything, to be honest. If it’s sweet, I will most likely enjoy it. Even if it’s not sweet. My time away from home really taught me that there is a difference between fulfilling the basic requirement of sustaining your life and actually enjoying delicious food.”
“Oh dear, that sounds like there are some stories behind that statement.”
Nathan’s chuckle caused a curl of warm pleasure to unfurl in her stomach, but Beatrice rubbed away the sensation with an impatient hand even while maintaining a pleasant expression upon her face.
“I’ll tell you about it once we’ve been served.”
Within a short time they were tucked up in a cosy parlour with an array of cookies and cakes to choose from as well as a rather large pot of tea. Beatrice was concerned about how uncomfortable drinking that much tea might make her for the return trip to Lady Frampton’s townhouse.
“So tell me, my lord, what did you miss the most when you were gone from these shores?”
