An Earl to Enchant (7 page)

“What do you mean?” she asked.

He walked from behind his desk and over to where she stood. “Imagine what it would do to my spotless reputation in London if someone found out that I had a young lady staying in my home and did nothing to secure her a proper companion. Why, I would be the talk of London.”

His horrified expression was so exaggerated, Arianna smiled. He could be an engaging rogue when he wanted to be. No doubt with those eyes, that smile, and his teasing conversation, he had broken hearts all over London.

“Spotless reputation?” she questioned with a knowing smile.

His heavenly blue eyes sparkled. “Odd as it sounds, do you doubt that?”

“Yes, my lord. And my usual good sense, which I admit leaves me at times, tells me that you are already the talk of London.”

He chuckled. “Perhaps I am. But on the odd chance that I am not, you don’t want to ruin my good reputation, do you?”

“That is an impossible notion.”

“So is the notion of you arriving in London without a proper companion. Propriety can be overlooked here for a time because of your illness, but London Society is unforgiving.” He moved closer to her and in a low voice said, “You know, your laughter is quite fetching. You should do it more often.”

Arianna was amazed at how quickly his tall, powerful body seemed to fill up the space around her. A shivery awareness of him stole over her, stirring up her womanly senses. It was so unlike her to be attracted to a man in this way, and especially to a man who frustrated her as much as this one did. She didn’t know what to do about it.

She lifted her lashes and looked into his eyes. Taking a calming breath, she said, “It felt good to laugh, my lord. I haven’t had much reason to lately.”

The earl leaned in nearer to her. She sensed his strength, and she felt the heat of his body as pleasing warmth flooded her, though he never touched her.

“Perhaps your luck is about to change for the better.”

“It would be welcomed,” she managed to say without sounding as breathless as she felt.

“There is another reason it will be good for Mrs. Constance Pepperfield to come to Valleydale and accompany you to London should she accept my invitation.”

“What is that, my lord?”

His face moved a little closer to hers. Her gaze met his and held. The fresh-washed scent of shaving soap stirred the air and teased her nose.

“She can guide you as to who in London might be seeking employment as a companion.”

“I can see the value in that.”

“She can make introductions, will know addresses, and if necessary, can help you write letters to the appropriate people.”

With him so close, Arianna didn’t know how she was managing to continue the conversation. Her legs suddenly seemed weak, and she knew the feeling didn’t come from her recent illness but from her body’s unusual reaction to the earl’s nearness.

“That would, indeed, be most helpful.”

“Good.”

“Though I’m not sure how I can ever repay you.”

“Perhaps you can by simply accepting my hospitality graciously.”

Teasing sensations skittered across her breasts, down her stomach, and settled low. She sensed a quickening between her legs. She stared into his eyes again and suddenly felt hot, breathless, and eager for something, but she didn’t know what. She didn’t understand why the earl caused her to have all these delicious and wonderful feelings when she wasn’t even sure she liked him.

She was barely breathing but managed to say, “That I can do. Thank you, my lord.”

“See, that wasn’t so difficult, was it?”

Arianna shook her head.

Lord Morgandale bent his head to the crook of her neck and breathed in deeply. She stood perfectly still and was certain she felt his lips, or maybe it was the tip of his nose, that lightly touched her skin as he whispered in a husky voice, “What is that exotic scent that I smell?”

Suddenly, the same glorious sensations she’d felt earlier rushed through her once again.

He kept his face hovering so close to her neck that she tingled all over. “It’s a blend of oils from various plants in India. My father made it into perfumed water for me. If it bothers you, I can refrain from using it while I’m here.”

“It bothers me,” he said softly, “but don’t stop using it.”

He lifted his head slowly. She felt his breath fanning her heated skin as it skimmed over her jawline, up her cheek, past her eye, until he looked down at her again.

A small puff of air was all that escaped her lips. She knew she should step away, but she had no desire to do so. She stood there, barely breathing, and allowed him to mesmerize her with his assault on her senses.

Morgan swallowed hard, and his chest heaved. His lips were so close to hers he could almost feel them. He wanted to feel them beneath his own. He had been attracted to her when she first arrived at his door and, if possible, he was even more attracted to her now. Propriety and the devil be damned, he wanted to kiss her. He bent his head closer to hers, but just a second before his lips touched hers, Morgan heard his butler’s familiar footsteps coming down the corridor.

Perfect timing.

Morgan stepped away from Miss Sweet and turned toward the doorway as the servant stepped into view. “Yes, Post.”

“Excuse me, my lord,” the servant said from the doorway. “May I have a private word with you?”

“Certainly.”

Thanking his lucky stars, Morgan walked over to where the butler stood. Kissing Miss Sweet was the last thing he needed to do.

“Miss Francine Goodbody has arrived,” Post whispered, “and would like to speak to you.”

Morgan swore softly. “This is not good news, Post.”

“I didn’t think so, my lord.”

Damnation, she was two days late. In truth, he had forgotten all about the woman. He had assumed she had found something better to do than keep her appointment with him. He hadn’t even heard a carriage drive up the lane, but that might have been because he was so busy engaging Miss Sweet in mindless conversation and trying his best to keep his hands and his lips off her.

What an uncomfortable position to be in. He found no humor in the current situation fate had sprung on him, but he had the urge to laugh at the improbability of it.

Instead, Morgan quickly considered his few options and said, “Show her into the drawing room, and tell her I will join her shortly.”

“Yes, my lord,” Post said and turned away.

Morgan took his time walking back to Miss Sweet. With luck he could get Miss Goodbody out of the house without Miss Sweet ever knowing the courtesan was there.

“Something has come up that needs my attention, Miss Sweet. But since you are in my book room, why don’t you take your time and browse through the titles and pick out several books to read? Assuming Mrs. Pepperfield is available to come to Valleydale, it will be a few days before she will arrive. I think you should spend most of that time in your bedchamber, resting. Reading will help you pass the time.”

“Thank you, my lord. I would love the opportunity to look over your books. I’m sure there are many here that I haven’t read.”

Morgan nodded and said, “Good. And remember, take your time. There’s no hurry.”

She smiled at him, and his stomach clenched. Damnation, what was wrong with him? He was feeling like a schoolboy with his first romantic crush.

“I will.”

“Good evening, Miss Sweet.”

Morgan derided himself as he walked down the corridor to the drawing room.

What a hell of a mess he’d gotten himself into! Two nights ago he’d convinced himself that Miss Goodbody had decided not to come. But now that she had, there was no way he could allow her to stay overnight with Miss Sweet in the house. Not that anyone would ever know except him, but still he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Fate had a wickedly odd sense of humor.

This situation had almost become laughable. How could it be that the one time he had invited a woman of the evening into his home, a lady of quality arrived, as well?

Morgan strode confidently into the drawing room, and Miss Goodbody rose from the settee and curtseyed graciously.

Morgan swallowed hard. It would be sheer hell sending her away. She was as beautiful, as enticing, and as voluptuous as his solicitor had promised. Golden blonde hair was piled high on top of her head, with a few wispy curls framing her delicate face. Her dark brown eyes were full of expression, and her smile was alluring. Her pale pink dress was cut temptingly low, showing the full swell of her lovely breasts.

It had been weeks since he had been with a woman, and looking at her, he couldn’t help but question if he really wanted to send her away.

Morgan took a deep, steadying breath and said, “Good-evening, Miss Goodbody. I’m afraid I had given up on your arrival.”

She took a step toward him, smiling seductively, leaving him no doubt that she would be all that his solicitor had promised. But of course, Morgan had no choice but to send Miss Goodbody back to London without so much as a taste of her alluring body.

Suddenly he had two desirable women in his house, and he couldn’t touch either one of them. Society would be unforgiving if anyone ever found out that he had a woman of Miss Goodbody’s ilk in his home at the same time he had a lady like Miss Sweet as his guest. No, he couldn’t take the chance, no matter that his body clawed at him to do otherwise.

And if he should ever find out that his cousins were somehow behind this maddening situation that he found himself in at present, he would throttle them both until they begged for mercy, and then he would throttle them some more.

“My lord, I beg your forgiveness. I’m sorry I have been delayed by more than a day. There were problems with rain making traveling slow on the first day, and then there was a problem with one of the wheels of the coach the next. We were forced to stay at an inn and wait until the coach could be repaired. I tried to hire another coach, but all were already in use.”

“I understand that those kinds of things can happen, and we have had nasty weather.”

She smiled sweetly at him. “I do hope you will forgive my tardiness and welcome me. I promise that I will make up for lost time by staying longer than originally anticipated, if that would please you.”

He was loathe to say it, but he must. “I’m afraid my plans have changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“I must pass on your visit and send you back to London without so much as a rest.”

Her eyes widened, her lips parted, and she took a step toward him. “But I don’t understand. Because I was late, you no longer want me here?”

“No, no, this has nothing to do with your tardiness. That was obviously not your fault. It’s just that—”

Morgan stopped. Did he really have to explain himself to a woman he was paying?

No.

That was why he preferred women he paid. No strings and no explanations needed.

“I know it has put an undue burden on you to make this trip for naught, and now to have to immediately turn around and leave. Naturally I will make arrangements for you to receive a handsome bonus for your trouble.”

With an understanding smile on her face, Miss Goodbody walked up to him and laid her hand on the lapel of his coat. “If I must go, I must, but why be so hasty? We don’t have to be in that big of a hurry, do we, my lord?”

Her hand slipped from his lapel down to the hardness beneath his riding breeches and she cupped him. He was instantly aroused. His body stiffened, and his breath caught in his throat.

She stood on her toes and lifted her face to his. Her lips were full and inviting; her breasts touched just enough of his chest to tease him. He inhaled, and the womanly scent of lavender filled him. He couldn’t help but contrast the familiar perfume to the exotic scent of Miss Sweet. No, he had never encountered a woman who had the enchanting scent of Miss Sweet.

“I would never pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do, but I assure you I will do anything you want. I’m well trained in what gentlemen want and need. And judging from what I feel in my hand, I do believe you need me.”

Oh yes!