Page 21 of The Earl Takes All
Albert held up a fisted hand and the groom brought the carriage to a halt. Her husband circled his horse around and came back to the carriage. “Stay here,” he ordered, before dismounting and handing the reins to the groom.
Then he was striding to the cottage. Rowntree stepped out. Although he was nearly as tall as Albert, he was considerably wider, but comparing the two men, she could see clearly that Albert was all muscle and sinew, strength and firmness, while Rowntree had begun to acquire a portly look.
Hearing the tenor of their voices, but not the words, she nearly clutched the groom’s hand when it became obvious that Rowntree was becoming belligerent. Suddenly, Albert grabbed the man by the front of his coat and slammed him against the front of the cottage. As Albert leaned in, Rowntree’s eyes grew wide and round. Albert’s voice was so low that Julia could barely hear it, but still it sent a fissure of unease through her. It must have done the same for Rowntree, as he began frantically bobbing his head. Albert released him, stepped back, straightened the lapels of the man’s coat, and patted his beefy shoulder. A few more words were exchanged before the earl spun on his heel, strode back to the carriage and took the reins from the groom.
He held her gaze, brown to blue, and it struck her that he’d never looked at her quite so intently, as though needing to gauge her reaction in order to ensure he pleased her. “Would you still like to go to the village?”
She nodded. “I was thinking a nice cup of tea and a pastry might be a pleasant way to while away the afternoon.”
He gave her a small grin. “I could use some whiling. Let’s be off, then.”
Mounting in one fluid movement that had her heart fluttering, he took off while the groom urged their horse to follow. In their time together, she must have seen her husband get on a horse a hundred times, two hundred, so she had no idea why at that moment she considered it one of the most sensual actions she’d ever witnessed. Perhaps because during his absence her life had been so incredibly chaste. She’d certainly not looked at other men or sought out a replacement for him. She’d never been drawn to another man as she was to him. From the moment he’d been introduced, he had completely captured her interest.
Only once had her attention ever waned and then only for the space of a kiss in a garden that never should have happened.
When they entered the village, he brought his horse to a halt in front of the tea shop, dismounted, and walked the horse back. Holding the reins out to the groom, he said, “You can return the horse to Evermore now. I’ll drive the carriage back.”
“Yes, m’lord.” The cabriolet rocked as the groom exited.
Albert came around to her side and extended his hand. She placed hers on it, felt the strength and sureness of his fingers closing around hers. “I thought—”
She stopped, feeling like such a ninny.
Angling his head slightly, he arched a brow. “You thought what?”
Studying his beloved face, she wondered why she was filled with so many doubts. “I thought you’d chosen to ride the horse because you didn’t truly want to go on the outing with me.”
Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of her gloved fingers. “I’m sorry, Julia. It never occurred to me... I wanted to portray a position of authority. I thought being on a horse accomplished that better than being in a carriage.”
She touched her fingers to his jaw. “You looked magnificent. It did frighten me, though, when you grabbed him.”
“He wasn’t listening. I had to be more forceful. And to be honest, it pricked my temper when he said I wasn’t the man my father was.”
“What did you say to him?”
“That the land he lived on belonged to the Crown and had been placed in the Earl of Greyling’s keeping centuries ago. He was there by my good graces and my good graces alone. If he didn’t pay what was owed, I would personally pack up him along with his family and cart them off the land. He assured me he would be making restitution within the fortnight and would not be troubling me again.”
“And you believed him?”
“I gave him the benefit of the doubt. If he lied, at the end of the fortnight he’s gone. And nothing on God’s green earth will put him back in my good graces. I’m not the vengeful sort, but neither am I very forgiving when I’m wronged.”
She’d never known her husband to be so powerful, so determined. This was an aspect to him she’d never seen. It quite fascinated her. “I’ve never witnessed you conducting your business before.”
“Perhaps it’s best if you don’t in the future. I wouldn’t want you thinking me a tyrant.”
“On the contrary, I respect how you look after what’s yours. And I am yours.”
He suddenly appeared uncomfortable, was possibly blushing. Or was it merely the chill in the air?
“We should have some tea now,” he said, helping her out of the carriage.
Offering his arm, he led her into the shop. Above the door, a bell tinkled.
A matronly woman trundled over and curtsied. “Oh, Lord Greyling, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Mrs.Potts. The countess and I are in need of some refreshment.”
“Certainly, m’lord. I have your favorite table right over here.” Mrs.Potts made a sweeping gesture with her arm, and a young lady sitting at a small table in the corner by the window gathered up her cup and plate and hurried off.
