Page 33 of The Earl Takes All
His touches came more frequently, his interest in her more intense. He seemed to care about every aspect of her. She thought she’d loved him as much as it was possible to love any man. Strange to realize that she loved him a little bit more each day.
Before he left for the safari, it was as though their love had plateaued, as though there was nothing additional for either of them to give to the other. But now she realized how wrong she’d been. There would always be more, something new to discover, uncover. A reason for their feelings to be reignited with a passion that surpassed what it had been.
So she was striving not to worry because the sun had disappeared but her husband had not yet reappeared over the rise. She’d never before noticed how dashing he looked riding away from her. She’d anticipated him looking far more dashing returning to her, a smile spreading across his face as he saw her. But it was growing too dark for her to see anything.
After ringing for the butler, she returned to her post at the window. If his travels hadn’t ended in tragedy, she might not be so worried, but it could have easily been him the gorilla attacked rather than Edward. Life was precarious. She heard the click of the door opening, the fall of Rigdon’s footsteps.
“You had a need, m’lady?” he asked.
“His lordship went over that rise this morning. As he’s yet to return, I fear he might have suffered a mishap.”
“He’s an excellent horseman. The weather is no doubt slowing him or perhaps he took shelter for the night.”
He wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t leave her to worry. She turned from the window. “Gather up the outdoor servants and send them to search for him.”
Surprise flickered across Rigdon’s face before he could prevent it, but he quickly returned his expression to its stoic state. “It’s rather nasty out there, m’lady.”
“Which is the very reason they need to find him.”
While Rigdon moved not a muscle, she was rather certain that deep inside, he was shifting his weight, possibly shuffling his feet. “I’m not certain he would approve of that action.”
He wouldn’t. Placing servants at risk. He wouldn’t like it at all. “Then he should have returned sooner. Send them out.”
“As you wish, m’lady.”
He left, and she gave her attention back to the gloom. It was dreadful out there. She was being selfish to care about only her own happiness. Albert was not going to be pleased with her, even if he’d taken a tumble and was in trouble. But she could not bear the thought of him languishing—
A shape in the distance, an odd silhouette, caught her notice. Not a man on a horse, but she was relatively certain it was a man and quite possibly a horse.
“Rigdon!” Her heart hammering, she rushed from the room and nearly slammed into a footman. “Find Rigdon, let him know that someone is coming over the hill. Could be his lordship.”
“Yes, m’lady.”
He took off, his long legs quickly separating him from her, and she was suddenly quite grateful for tall footmen. She was pacing the entryway when the front door finally opened and a familiar figure stepped through.
“Albert!” She was suddenly in his arms, aware of his trembling and the cold of his skin as he placed his cheek to her temple.
“You shouldn’t be touching me,” he said. “I’m filthy.”
Only his grip on her was so sure, so tight, she wasn’t certain she could have broken away even if she’d wanted. Which she didn’t. “I was so worried.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. I helped a farmer whose wagon had become stuck in the mud. On my way home, my horse went lame. It was a day of mishaps.”
“I was afraid you’d gotten lost.”
Gently, with a gloved hand, he tipped up her face. “Not when you’re my north star.”
Then his mouth was on hers as though they’d been separated for years rather than hours, or as though a parting was on the horizon that couldn’t be avoided. He was worried about the dangers of her giving birth, she knew that. But this seemed to be more, was woven with urgency, with need. She wondered if he’d feared never making his way back to her, if the storm had caused him to doubt that he’d ever again have the chance to hold her, to kiss her.
Drawing back, he held her gaze. “You warm better than any fire.”
She smiled. “I should hope so. Rigdon, have a bath prepared for his lordship.”
“Have already seen to it, m’lady.”
Nodding, Albert released her. “Then I shall take advantage of that.”
“I’ll come with you, assist—”
