Page 83 of The Earl Takes All
She looked past him to the windows. “Appears it’s going to be a lovely day outside.”
Her change of topic was no doubt intended to take his thoughts off their wayward path—although that wasn’t likely to happen. Still, no harm in allowing her to believe he was easily distracted. “I was going to ride into the village today. I wanted to check on the health of Mrs.Lark and her family. Perhaps you’d care to join me. I seem to recall promising to take you riding.”
Her face blossomed, wreathed with joy. “I would dearly love to go riding. I’ve missed it so.”
“We’ll stop for some strawberry tarts.”
Her smile grew. “Even better.”
“We’ll leave following breakfast, shall we?”
“I’ll need to change.”
“Thomas,” he said, directing his attention to one of the footmen. “Send word out to the stables to have our horses readied.”
“Yes, m’lord.”
After Thomas walked out, although two other footmen remained, she leaned across the table and whispered, “And you’ll behave.”
“I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”
But even a perfect gentleman could find a way to steal a kiss if he put his mind to it.
Itfelt so marvelous to be on horseback again. Her chestnut mare seemed equally pleased. While a groom had been riding and exercising her, Julia liked to think that the old girl had missed her and was glad to have her mistress back in the saddle.
It had turned out to be a rare warm day that required neither coat nor cloak. She’d never before had occasion to ride beside Edward. He kept them at a sedate pace, while she yearned to race over the fields. On the return home, she would take matters into her own hands, but she didn’t wish to arrive at the widow’s appearing bedraggled with her hair askew.
The village came into view. They plodded down the main narrow thoroughfare that cut through the center of the town, shops and buildings lined up on either side. At the far end, they approached a small weathered cottage that had most certainly seen better days. The door was so small that Edward would have had to duck to cross the threshold. She imagined that he had fairly filled whatever space there was inside, couldn’t envision the dwelling as having more than one room.
Edward brought his horse to a halt and dismounted in a graceful movement that made her mouth go dry. Why did the most common of actions, when performed by him, have to affect her as though he were the most extraordinary man she’d ever seen?
He came around and held his arms up to her. The moment she had both anticipated and dreaded. His powerful hands spanning the breadth of her waist, closing around it, his eyes latched onto hers, her hands coming to rest on his broad shoulders. He lifted her up slightly, brought her down, leaving her with the impression that he could have held her aloft all day, without his muscles once quivering with fatigue. Her feet came to rest on the dirt, her knees feeling somewhat weak—no doubt because she’d gone so long without riding. Not because he looked at her as though he might sweep her into the cottage and have his way with her.
“Your lordship!” The youthful voice echoed around them.
Edward broke out into a wide grin, released her and spun around just as an urchin leapt on him, the boy’s legs circling his waist, his scrawny arms wrapping around the earl’s neck as Edward closed his arms around the lad. Not that Julia thought that action was needed. The boy clung so tenaciously to him that she didn’t think Edward would be able to extricate himself from the hold, even if he wanted to.
A slender woman with a babe in her arms and a little girl clutching her skirt scrambled out of the house. “Johnny Lark! Get off his lordship this instant. You can’t be crawling all over your betters.”
“It’s quite all right, Mrs.Lark,” Edward said. “I’m just glad to see he appears to be doing well.”
“Too well if you ask me. He is a handful. I was sorry to hear you took ill, m’lord.”
“I’m fine, completely recovered, no lingering ill affects.”
“Ye lost weight. I can tell that. Come inside for a cup of stew.”
Julia knew it was ridiculous to experience a pang of jealousy because this woman with her worn clothes, her untidy hair, her rough raw hands, knew Edward well enough to note that he had indeed lost weight.
“I appreciate the offer, but I promised the countess some pastry.” He turned to her. “Lady Greyling, allow me to introduce Mrs.Lark.”
She smiled kindly. “It’s a pleasure.”
Mrs.Lark curtsied three times, as though she wasn’t quite certain when she’d paid enough homage. “M’lady. Sorry I’m such a sight. Wasn’t expecting company today. But I’ve got enough stew for the both of you.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I rather have my heart set on the pastries. I possess a bit of a sweet tooth.”
The woman smiled winsomely, as though she and Julia shared a little secret, then she scowled, reached out and swatted her son’s backside. “Johnny, getoffhis lordship.”
