Enticing the Earl (5 page)

“No.”

“No? That’s all you can say? You haven’t even heard my reasons.”

“Of course I did. You want a wife and children. That’s understandable; so go find a lady in London. I am not the type of woman a man like you marries.”

He laughed. “You know that is not true. Look at your best friend. She married a duke.”

“Selina was a proper lady until she met North. I am not. You know I have been with Davies and I was with Smyth before that.”

Simon shook his head. Her virginity was the issue? “I have not been celibate, Mia. Does that bother you?”

“No, but you are a man and it’s expected that you would be with women before you married.” She struggled to sit up against the pillows. “My being with other men can only embarrass you if it gets out.”

“I can handle the embarrassment. I rarely go to London, so who would know?”

“Everyone here and at your other estates. Gossip spreads like fire, Hart. They all know that a man abused me. The servants will all assume what happened, and they would be right.”

“Not one of the servants would dare to speak ill of you. They all love you.” He leaned in closer. “And fear your mother, I believe.”

Defeated, she glanced down at her hands on her lap. “Why do you want to marry me, Hart?”

“To protect you.”

She blinked quickly as if trying to fight back more tears. “I see. With you, I would be safe. You would never hurt me physically.”

Simon moved to the bed and held her hands. “I would never hurt you in any way.”

She went silent in thought for what seemed like the longest minute Simon had ever waited to pass. As she mentally debated the merits of marriage, her head would shake and then nod. Finally, she looked back up at him and said, “I have several conditions that must be agreed upon before I give you an answer.”

What was she up to? “Very well, tell me your conditions.”

“You will teach me to shoot.”

He smiled knowing how important it was now for her to be able to protect herself. “I will teach you to shoot and throw knives and most importantly, I will teach you the same things I taught my sister.”

“What?”

“How to take down a man trying to harm you.”

“How can I bring a man down who is taller and stronger than I?”

“It can be done in just a few easy steps. And it works. You may write my sister Caroline if you wish. She actually used it on her husband before they were married. It was not intentional; he thought she was someone else, and she thought he was a man trying to abduct her. It all worked out in the end, once his nose healed.”

Mia giggled. “She hurt his nose?”

“She broke his nose and hurt him in another very uncomfortable place. Fortunately, they were still able to have children after that.”

Mia laughed aloud this time. “That story is not true.”

Simon held his hand up as if taking an oath. “Every word. Now what are your other conditions?”

“You will never hit me.”

He waved a hand at her. “We have already been through that.”

“Very well. We must wait until after I have my next monthlies. I will not let you raise another man’s child.”

Simon glanced away. While he knew she was right, he also knew if she were with child she would need his protection even more. “How long should that be?”

“Hopefully, no more than a fortnight.”

“I agree, then. Are there any more conditions?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes. Before I agree to marry you, you must do one more thing.”

“What is it?” He wondered how hard this last condition could be. It seemed to be taking her forever to tell him.

“You must kiss me.”

O
h, dear Lord, had she really just asked him to kiss her? Mia Featherstone, the poor wise woman who worked the estate, just asked Lord Hartsfield for a kiss. And based on the length of time it was taking him to answer, he was just as shocked.

“A kiss?” he finally asked.

Mia bit down on her lower lip and nodded. “I would like to know if there is an attraction between us. I don’t believe it would be fair to either of us to marry solely for my protection. You need an heir. It would be much more pleasant if making this heir wasn’t a chore.”

He pressed his lips together tightly as if holding back a grin. “Very well, this is your final condition, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Do you really believe you are up to a kiss today? Or would you rather wait until you are further healed?”

She could see his reasoning on this. If she allowed him to kiss her today and she wasn’t affected by the kiss, it might be due to her bruises. But a part of her wanted this issue of marriage settled before she changed her mind. She knew marrying him purely for the protection his name could bring her was wrong. Yet, she felt she had no choice. No other man had ever tried to shield her from harm, save her father. Every other man had used her. She didn’t see how Hart could possibly be using her. Most people would believe she was using him.

And perhaps she was.

He was certainly a handsome man and she had never heard of him hurting another person. She might come to love him.

But was
might
enough?

“Hart,” she started slowly, “I don’t believe this question of marriage is fair to you.”

“How so?”

Mia stared at her hands. “I am not in love with you.”

“I know that.”

She glanced up at his smiling face and cocked her head. “But shouldn’t that be an important part of marriage?”

He laughed and took her hand in his. “If I married a lady from London, do you think I would love her? It would be a marriage to make her parents and my mother happy. A chance for a woman to increase her parents’ position in Society. Or for another peer to boast that his daughter caught an earl. Nothing more. I wouldn’t love her.”

“Do you believe in love?” She hadn’t thought it possible that Hart was a cynical man who didn’t believe in such a fanciful idea as love.

“Yes,” he said, nodding. “I have been in love before.”

“What happened?”

“She...” his voice trailed off as he looked out toward the window. “She didn’t know I existed.”

“That is dreadfully sad,” Mia whispered.

“Yes.” He turned his head back to her with a smile that took her breath away. “Now, back to the question at hand, do we kiss today?”

Her heart started to pound fiercely against her chest. She had nothing to fear from him.
Nothing.
He wasn’t the type of man who beat women. When his mother was ill, he’d done everything he could to help save her. He was a good man. “Yes,” she whispered. “Now.”

“Very well.” He stood and then sat down on the edge of the bed.

The scent of sandalwood wafted around her. How had she never noticed the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled or laughed? She had known him all her life. He rarely left the estate over the past few years. She should know everything about him... and yet, she didn’t.

She watched as his face slowly came closer to her. Until she could feel the heat of his breath on her cheek. When lips finally touched hers, it was the barest of kisses, scarcely a touch at all. He was being deliberately gentle for her. And suddenly her heart skipped a beat with the thought that a man would take care of her for a change.

Mia lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. Ignoring the ache in her side, she wanted only to have a proper kiss from him. To feel the spark of excitement as his tongue touched hers. To feel her breasts crushed against his hard chest.

How could she want him after all she’d been through recently? But his gentle kiss proved he would protect her and keep her safe from all harm. He was a good man and that only made him more desirable. Still, she wanted mutual passion with him.

She wanted a real kiss.

Before she could open her mouth and kiss him fully, he pulled away slowly, purposefully. Damn him for sensing her response and leaving her wanting more. Staring up at him, she smiled shyly. He had agreed to all her conditions but had that kiss proved their marriage would not be in name only?

“Have I met your conditions? Shall I obtain the special license?”

“Were you deliberately being gentle, Hart?”

He looked taken aback by her question. “What do you mean?”

God, she couldn’t say this and look at him. “I just want to make sure we will suit in bed. That kiss was very... well... tame.”

“Only days ago, you were beaten until you were bruised and battered both physically and mentally. Of course, I treated you gently.” He rose from the bed. “Good day, Mia. I will check on you later.” He started to walk toward the door.

“Hart, wait.” Once he turned back to her, she said, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. You are the kindest man I have ever known. But you have to understand I feel that I am cheating you out of a proper wife. I at least want to know you desire me and want to make love with me.”

“There is no cause for concern on that part.” He retreated from the room before she could say another word.

 

Simon walked outside before the desire consuming him forced him to storm into her room and show her just how much he wanted her. Foolish woman. She had no idea the restraint it took from him to not overwhelm her with his passion. Then she had the gall to question him on it.

He needed a distraction, something to help him work off this frustration coursing through his body. He headed for the stables. Once there, he picked up a pitchfork and to the amazement of the stable boys, he started mucking out the stalls.

“Sir, we done that already,” one of the lads said quietly.

“Go take Bonnie outside to field, Samuel,” Mr. Thompson said to the lad. The head groomsman looked at Simon and then said, “In fact, all ye lads get out of the stables for a while.”

The boys whooped as they ran out of the stables. Mr. Thompson put down the brush he’d been using on one of the mares and nodded to Simon. “If ye get to it, my lord, Tilly just came in from her exercise and could use a good rubdown.”

Mr. Thompson departed the stables, leaving Simon exactly where he wanted to be: alone. He put the pitchfork down and walked to Tilly’s stall. The mare needed her brushing more than the clean stall needed mucking. Taking the brush in his hand, he smoothed it over the mare’s fine hair. He murmured softly to Tilly about the foolishness of women.

“I should have known I’d find you out here.”

Simon turned at the sound of North’s voice. “What are you doing here today?”

“Selina’s delivering a baby so she’ll be gone most of the day. I thought I’d ride over and see what the Bow Street runner had to say.” North picked up a brush and started brushing his gelding.

“He’s very concerned that no one seems to know Davies. He believes Miss Featherstone may have been a pawn in a bigger plan.”

“What plan?”

Simon put the brush down and leaned against the stable wall. “I have no idea. Mr. Tanner thinks Davies was using her to get information on me.”

“For what purpose? You act far more the country squire than a fashionable lord of the realm. Is someone trying to extort money from you?”

Simon laughed harshly. “I wish them luck with that.”

North stilled his brush on the horse. “What do you mean?”

Simon hadn’t told anyone what had happened last year with his steward. “I discovered my former steward had been giving himself a rather large bonus the past two years.”

“Dammit, Hart. Why didn’t you tell me? I know how much you hate doing the books but I would have been happy to help you.”

“You haven’t been here. Until a few months ago, you wouldn’t step foot on your estate or even enter the county.”

North blew out a long breath. “You’re right. I have not been a good friend to you. I am sorry for that. How bad is it?”

“Very bad. Mother insists I attend Caroline’s country party to search for a wealthy bride.”

“Perhaps she has the right idea,” North said quietly.

“It’s a little too late for that,” Simon commented.

“How so?”

“I proposed to Miss Featherstone this afternoon.” Simon waited for the blast of anger from his friend. He knew proposing to Mia was a foolish idea considering his financial outlook. But he wasn’t about to ask her to become his mistress. She deserved far better than that.

“I can only assume she accepted.” North’s calm demeanor seemed at odds with his stiff jaw.

“Not completely.”

“Not completely? What the bloody hell does that mean?” Finally, the anger had risen to the surface. “A woman like her will not help you with your finances. In fact, she might damage them completely. How do you know she won’t take herself off to London and gamble what little money you have away? How do you know she won’t run off with some man who catches her fancy? My God, man, you found her half-dead from her last lover.”

Hearing a feminine gasp, Simon glanced past North to where Mia stood, holding the stable door for support. Her pale face told him she had heard all of North’s rants. Instead of running away, she stepped into the barn as North turned to face her.

“Your Grace, if you are done impugning my reputation, I will tell you that I am not a gambler. I don’t fancy myself a spendthrift nor am I a harlot. I had no idea the earl was in financial straits and since I do know, my lord, you may rescind your offer of marriage if you would like. I would understand and hold no ill will toward you.”

Simon smiled at the grace she had while bringing North down a peg. “My offer of marriage still stands.”

“Thank you, my lord. If you need any assistance with your books, I am quite good with figures.”

“Miss Featherstone, please accept my apology,” North said stiffly. “I was only—”

“Watching out for a friend. I understand that completely, Your Grace. After all, I questioned Selina’s sanity when she accepted you as her lover and then as her husband. I suppose it’s only fair that you do the same.” She took a long breath in. “I believe the walk out here has tired me. Good day, gentlemen.”

As she walked away, Simon shot North a stone-cold glare. “Don’t ever say another bad word about her.” He turned away. “Miss Featherstone, I shall escort you to the house.”

Behind him, he heard North chuckle.

 

Mia’s cheeks still felt heated from her exchange with the duke. Arrogant bastard. She had no idea how Selina could tolerate the man. She slid a glance to the man beside her and her heart swelled. Hart had defended her to his best friend. Her eyes welled with tears.

“I am sorry you had to hear that,” Hart said as they reached the house.

“As I told him, I understand his reasoning.”

“But... ?”

Mia smiled. “But he is wrong. I just don’t know how to prove it to you,” she added wistfully. They walked inside and he led her to the salon. Slowly, she lowered herself to the emerald velvet chair by the fireplace. She winced as a shard of pain sliced her rib again.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, it felt quite good to get out of bed. I was hoping to dine with you tonight.”

“I would like that.” He took the seat across from her.

“I also wanted to apologize again for my actions.” She stared down at her hands. “After hearing the duke’s words, I feel even more like a strumpet for criticizing your kiss.”

Hart rose from his chair and then gently eased her to a standing position. “If my betrothed would like another kiss, all she has to do is ask.”

Mia’s lips parted but before she could ask, his lips were on hers. This time, it was anything but tame. His tongue took full advantage of her parted lips and forced her mouth to open for him. As he kissed her, she wanted to put her arms around him but the bindings on her ribs kept her from doing that. Instead, she clung to the lapels of his jacket as the heat of his kiss scorched her.

Her heart pounded against her chest and the urge to rub her hips against his became almost too much to bear. Moisture pooled between her folds as she wondered how his mouth would feel on her breasts. He might be a gentleman, but he kissed like a rake.

Slowly, he lifted his head up and stared down at her. His gray eyes were filled with desire for her. She trembled from the passion he brought out in her. She had never felt anything like it with either of the men she’d been with and suddenly wished her monthlies would come quickly. She wasn’t terribly worried about being with child. Her mother had taught her how to prevent conception but it wasn’t foolproof and until she knew for certain, she couldn’t be with Hart. No matter how much she might desire it.

Who was this man? She thought she’d known him as a kindhearted man who would protect her and she could come to love slowly. But that heated kiss had shown her a different side of Hart. He might be kindhearted but he was a man who knew how to kiss a woman with enough passion to make her knees weak.

She had never expected to react to his kisses with such intensity. She took a step away from him needing to put a little distance between them.

“What’s wrong, Mia?”

“Nothing,” she said and turned away from him. She strolled toward the window and looked out at the rolling pastures of his estate. Was she truly a strumpet? A woman who could be with any man and feel desire? She had enjoyed her time with Paul, but it was never as passionate as one kiss from the earl. With Allan, it had never been right, which was why she had tried to break it off with him the day he beat her. That was when he became so incensed and demanded to know about the few pieces of gold she’d found. She should have never mentioned the gold to him.