Page 2 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
But despite her hitting her head, Caroline wasn’t so sure. For she had seen that pair of eyes and that dashing smile somewhere else—in her dreams.
Chapter 2
Lord Charles Spencer was worried that he’d hurt an innocent young woman so badly she could no longer form words. Or rather, full sentences. His gloved hand pressed against her arm, and she stared at him for at least five seconds, her beautiful blue eyes wide. Her golden curls were in disarray, and if he was not so very concerned for her welfare, he might dwell more on the fact that he’d come across the most delightful and beautiful creature of his acquaintance.
An odd rush of lust coursed through him, and he tried to ignore it. It had been a long time since he’d felt such a thing upon first meeting someone.
“Y-yes,” she eventually replied, and he sighed with relief.
“Thank God. Truly, you must forgive me. I was riding far too hard and in too distracted a manner.” He lifted a hand to point to his horse when he saw the young woman wince and put a hand to her head. “Oh no, you are not well. You have hit your head?”
“Yes, I believe so,” she managed to say slowly.
“Please, let me look at the injury,” he beseeched, and he turned to the side so that he could better look at where she had just pressed her hand.
Being so close to her only made the lust worse, but he tamped it down. He was meant to make sure he was not a villain, to play the hero in rescuing the damsel. When she removed her hand, he saw nothing, only that slight swelling had begun.
“There is no blood, but you will have to put cold cloths on it when you return home, if you can manage it.”
“Yes, sir, I will.” She put her hand there again, and he stepped back, clearing his throat. His heart was racing. “Please, do not trouble yourself. I am very well, only a bit surprised.” She gave him a brief smile and pulled her hand away from her head.
“Well, that is good. I’m afraid I never expect anyone out on these paths, so out of the way as they are, and I was so lost in thought. I have learned my lesson now, though. I shall be more careful in future.”
He wanted to roll his eyes at himself for speaking so hastily.
She will likely think me mad.
He smiled at her, and she flushed a little pink. His hands were still on her arms, and they were standing close, far closer than was proper for a gentleman and a lady. She tensed under his touch, and he immediately stepped back, letting his arms fall to his sides. He cleared his throat and apologised once more. He wore gloves, and yet the heat of her body underneath his fingertips remained. He clenched his fists to be rid of it.
“I should introduce myself,” he said. “My name is Lord Charles Spencer. My father is the Marquess of Queensberry. At long last, I have come to visit the country estate in Kent.” He bowed.
“Oh,” she replied in that soft, lovely way she had done so before. With a smile, she curtsied. “My name is Miss Caroline Turner, daughter of the Baron of Wentworth. Our estate is just there.” She pointed behind her. “I too am quite unused to seeing people here in the morning, and so I was not expecting anyone.”
Charles put his hands behind his back. The desire to reach out and touch her again was so strong, but he did not wish to scare her yet again. A young lady, with a titled father, out on her own, looking as if she was a young servant girl out with a basket. It was most unusual. Now that his concern had passed, he was fully able to focus on just how lovely she was, her golden hair nearly pulled out of her tie, curls framing her face.
Her eyes sparkled, and her lips were a lovely pink, both seductive and strangely innocent at the same time. His eyes were drawn there, for her lips were slightly parted, and the sight of them made his mouth dry. What was it about this young woman that made his blood hum in his ears, his every sense become attuned to her and her alone? She was not like any young lady he had ever seen before, and she was certainly not like any young noble lady he’d ever met in London.
She blushed, and he realised that he’d been staring. Like a bloody fool. She will think me a wolf come to collect its prey.
Her hand went to her hair, and she quickly apologised. “I was only leaving the house to collect a few herbs for our cook. She often lets me, and I enjoy the walk and the sunshine.” She began to adjust her hair, and he tried to assure her.
“All is well. There is no need for explanation.” He rubbed at an itchy place behind his neck. “But you may have to get used to seeing me out in these woods on these paths in the months to come. I have come here to relax after the Season, along with my good friend, and so I will be riding in the mornings. The estate is normally vacant, but I was in need of… respite.” He smiled to cover up his sudden nervousness.
He had never been nervous in front of a beautiful woman for as long as he could remember. In fact, he’d often been rather bored, especially in the last months of the Season, when young women had been paraded in front of him, one after the other, his mother practically desperate to find him a bride. No one had ever incited such lust in him, and never so quickly.
But this woman with her large innocent eyes, and the way she looked at him so purely, made him feel a little uneasy. As if she could see right to the heart of him. As if she felt the same string of attraction between them and, like him, did not quite know what to do about it.
“Of course. We are all in need of respite after the Season,” she teased. “Well, I should return home.” She knelt down to pick up her basket. “Cook will be wondering where I’ve run off to.”
“Certainly.” Together, they emerged from the woods and walked to his horse. “May I escort you? It would certainly not be gentlemanly of me if I did not walk you back to your home.”
“Oh, no, thank you.” She curtsied. “My horse is just there, and I will ride on my own. Thank you, My Lord. Perhaps we shall see each other again.”
Charles stood next to his horse, patting the side. “Yes, I am certain we will.”
She smiled back at him and, with a sparkle in her eye, walked away. Charles put a hand to his chest. Yes, he most certainly wanted to see her again.
Chapter 3
