An Earl In Want Of A Wife

He scanned the ballroom for someone who met Fletcher’s description of Miss Eastway with little success. There were no plain-looking women surrounded by fortune hunters that he could see. He felt a stab of panic as he wondered whether she had already been claimed and let his eyes wander to the open doors leading to the terrace. Surely even a naïve young woman new to London society wouldn’t allow herself to be led outside by an unscrupulous suitor.

Telling himself he was just being a gentleman, checking on a lady’s safety, he strode across the ballroom, resolutely not looking at anyone in his path. In truth, he felt a bubble of irritation. If the innocent Miss Eastway had gone and got herself compromised, it would ruin all his plans.

He stopped short as a young woman stepped into his path.

‘Lord Burwell,’ she purred, dipping into a curtsy and looking up at him with a coquettish smile.

‘Mrs Winter.’ Daniel took her hand and brought it to his lips.

‘It has been far too long,’ the widow said.

Daniel couldn’t help but smile. He and the charming Mrs Winter had been bumping into each other for six months now. Each time they shared a drink and a few words and then moved on, but there was a certain spark in her eyes that told Daniel he wouldn’t need to do much more than smile and she would come to him willingly.

‘I’ve missed our scintillating chats,’ Mrs Winter said, her hand curling around Daniel’s upper arm possessively.

They walked a few steps together, Daniel always keeping one eye on the door to the terrace in case someone matching Amelia Eastway’s description came through the opening.

‘I heard the most scandalous rumour about you,’ she said, dropping her voice to a loud whisper.

‘I’m sure it’s not true.’

‘It was involving you and a pretty little actress called Victoria.’

Daniel felt a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. Victoria was a sweet little thing who just seemed to enjoy Daniel’s company and demanded nothing more.

‘And my dear friend Mrs Highton has been dropping the most obvious of hints. I do hope you don’t favour her over me.’

Daniel grimaced. This was why nothing had happened between him and Mrs Winter; he got the impression that she could become rather possessive. Daniel had never wanted a long-term mistress, instead preferring short liaisons with women who did not make a fuss if he called things off.

‘How could I prefer anyone to you?’ Daniel asked, turning towards the young widow with his most dazzling smile.

That seemed to placate her a little and Daniel took the opportunity to escape. He wasn’t in the mood for flirtation tonight. His decision to marry was sitting heavily on him and he wanted to find his possible future wife, introduce himself and return home before he could talk himself out of it.

He reached the terrace doors in less than a minute and slipped out into the cool summer’s night. The outdoor space was illuminated by candles dotted along the stone balustrade, but there were plenty of dark corners a young woman with little experience could find herself lured to by a man with less than noble intentions. Daniel wondered what to do next—he’d expected to come outside to find someone who fitted Miss Eastway’s description and had planned to whisk her gallantly away from danger. Now he was here even he knew that plan was foolish. Firstly, the people who slipped outside normally didn’t want to be disturbed, and secondly, he couldn’t very well rescue a damsel in distress if he couldn’t see her.

Daniel almost gave up and returned to the ballroom, but compared to the cramped, stifling atmosphere inside, the summer’s evening was lovely and cool. He thought he might sit for a moment or two before returning to find the woman he was going to marry.

Quietly he slipped down the stone stairs into the garden proper and seated himself on a little bench looking out into the garden. Not for the first time he wished he was back on his estate in Cambridgeshire, strolling about his own garden with a glass of whisky in his hand. Or even at his club in London, sitting quietly with a newspaper or discussing the day’s events with his friends. Balls and ballrooms didn’t suit him. He wondered not for the first time if there shouldn’t be an easier, more pleasurable way of finding oneself a spouse, but knew in today’s society things were unlikely to change any time soon.

Daniel was just about to get up from his bench when he heard the doors to the ballroom open on the terrace above him. For a few seconds the music swelled and pulsed, then it was quiet as whoever had slipped outside closed the door. Daniel waited for the whispers of two illicit lovers and wondered if he should clear his throat to let them know they were not alone.

No whispers came, just the unmistakable swish of silk as someone started to descend the stairs towards him.

Daniel didn’t want to startle the woman, but equally he didn’t want to be caught in a deserted garden with some empty-headed young thing. He stood, coughed quietly, then approached the steps.

In the darkness Daniel heard a cry of surprise before he saw something moving towards him at great speed. He tried to jump backwards, out of the way of the careening object, but his reflexes weren’t quite quick enough. Something warm and soft crashed into him and knocked the breath from his lungs. Unable to keep his balance Daniel toppled backwards, taking whatever it was with him. They landed together with a quiet groan.

For a few seconds Daniel was too stunned to move. It was obvious now the object that had come hurtling down the stairs towards him was a woman. A rather stunned young woman if her silence was anything to go by.

Slowly he became aware of her body pressed up against his. One of her legs was nestled between his thighs and her chest was pressed closely to his. Her face must have been cradled into his neck as he could feel her soft breath tickling his skin. She was trembling, he realised, and too shocked to move.

Gently he rolled her over and sat up, being careful not to move suddenly.

‘Are you hurt?’ he asked, thinking himself rather foolish. After all, who could fall down quite so many steps and not be hurt?

‘Erm...yes...no. I don’t know.’

Daniel found himself smiling. She was conscious at least and sounded rather charmingly befuddled.

‘Let me check you over,’ he said, in a voice that invited no argument.

It was dark outside, too dark to make out much of the young woman’s features, but Daniel’s eyes had become accustomed to the blackness and he could at least see her outline. Gently he reached over and took one hand in his.

He heard a sharp intake of breath as he traced the lines of her arms with his fingers, checking for any broken bones. He did the same with her legs, but when he was just reaching her knees it seemed she had regained at least some of her wits and pulled sharply away. Daniel sighed—he was just starting to enjoy himself.

‘I’m sure I’m fine,’ the young woman said in a voice that wasn’t in the least bit convincing. ‘What about you?’

‘Me?’ Daniel asked. ‘Oh, I’m used to cushioning the falls of fair maidens,’ he said with a grin. ‘But that was certainly the most pleasant introduction I’ve had all evening.’ Daniel pictured the young woman’s cheeks turning pink and silently reprimanded himself; sometimes he couldn’t help his flirtatious side. ‘There’s a bench just over here. Let’s see if you can make it over.’

Daniel thought he saw her nod her head in the darkness and stood, leaning down to assist her up. He felt her totter a little and slipped an arm around her waist to steady her. She was slender, but Daniel could feel the flare of her hips beneath her dress and felt the first stirrings of desire. Reluctantly he pushed them away. This was most likely a well-bred young lady who he couldn’t dally with. And, he reminded himself sternly, he was here for one purpose only: to find a wealthy wife, no matter how much the idea galled him.

Together they hobbled over to the bench and sat down.

‘What happened?’ he asked gently, not letting go of the woman’s hand.

She sighed. ‘You’ll think me foolish.’ There was a modicum of humour in her voice and Daniel found himself smiling. The whole situation was farcical really, and most young women would be in hysterics, but this one was taking it all in her stride.

‘I wanted to escape...’ She paused, then corrected herself. ‘No, I needed to escape. If I spent one more second in that ballroom, I would have screamed.’

‘Surely it wasn’t so bad that you had to throw yourself down the steps?’

Although he couldn’t see her expression Daniel rather thought she’d smiled.

‘Almost.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sure I’ve ruined your...’ Instead of finishing the sentence she waved a hand in his general direction. ‘Whatever it is men wear to these balls.’

Daniel found himself leaning in a little closer, trying to make out what his mystery woman looked like. He knew she was tall, with a slender waist and delightfully curvy hips, but he wished he could catch a glimpse of her facial features.

‘I just wanted some peace and quiet, just for a few minutes. When you coughed you startled me and I tripped.’

‘I wanted you to know you weren’t alone.’

Daniel felt himself drawn to this woman and started to gently trace his thumb backwards and forwards across her hand. He knew it was wrong and he knew he should send her back inside immediately. If they were found in this position, outside and alone together, there would be a terrible scandal, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to send her on her way just yet.

‘Why did you want to escape the ball so much?’ Daniel asked. ‘A lovely young woman like you must be the centre of attention.’

He could tell she grimaced even in the darkness. ‘I feel like an antique up for auction.’

Daniel laughed, he couldn’t help himself.

‘Not that I think I’m any kind of prize, quite the opposite,’ she rushed to reassure him. ‘It’s just when you know people are only interested because of money...’ She let her sentence trail off.

Daniel suddenly felt a little guilty. All evening he hadn’t thought of anything but securing himself a wealthy wife. He hadn’t considered what his potential spouse’s feelings would be on the matter, hadn’t even thought of her as a real person. That must be what this young lady felt like, an object up for auction. Daniel pushed his qualms aside. He would treat his wife well, give her anything she asked for, and all he needed in return was for her to save him financially. It wasn’t even as though he’d squander all her money gambling like most husbands; her fortune would be going to a good cause.

‘We should get you back inside before you’re missed,’ Daniel said reluctantly. He didn’t know why he was so loath to let her go, he was certainly enjoying himself more than he’d expected to at a ball, but he knew she had to return to the ballroom before someone noticed she was gone.

‘I am sorry I fell on you,’ the woman repeated.

Daniel stood and offered her his arm. She stood up rather too abruptly and he found himself face-to-face with her. Even in the darkness Daniel could make out the curve of her lips and suddenly he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.

Without thinking of the consequences Daniel lowered his lips to hers, feeling the sharp intake of breath as she realised what he was about to do. He half expected her to push him away and storm off, but for a few seconds she stood frozen, as if too stunned to react. Then he felt her body melt into his.

It was the first time she’d been kissed, Daniel was sure of it, but her lips were full and inviting and Daniel knew he wouldn’t be able to pull away. He breathed in her scent and pulled her closer to him, revelling in the small moan that escaped from her lips as they kissed.

Suddenly she stiffened and Daniel knew the moment was over. Even though he’d met this woman only a few minutes previously he knew she wouldn’t become hysterical, just that she’d come to her senses. Slowly he pulled away, keeping one hand resting gently on her waist.

‘That... I mean... Well.’

Normally Daniel would have prided himself at rendering a woman speechless, but already he was beginning to feel like a churl. He’d just seduced an innocent young woman he had no intention of marrying. It went against everything he believed in, every code of honour he lived his life by.

‘That was unforgivable of me,’ he said softly. ‘I just couldn’t help myself. I wouldn’t have been able to resist kissing you even if there was a sword to my heart.’

‘I should go,’ she said, pulling away. Almost immediately she stumbled and Daniel sprang forward, steadying her so she didn’t lose her feet.

‘Can I at least know your name?’ he asked quietly.

It seemed like an eternity before she answered and Daniel had the absurd feeling that she might give him a false name.

‘Amelia,’ she said eventually. ‘Amelia Eastway.’

Daniel felt the bottom drop out of his world as Amelia slipped from his grasp and started to ascend the steps back to the terrace.

‘May I call on you tomorrow?’ he called after her.

He wasn’t entirely sure, but he thought he saw her nod her head before she disappeared into the darkness completely.

Chapter Three

Lizzie was a bundle of nerves. It didn’t help that she hadn’t slept much at all. Every time she’d closed her eyes she’d been back in the Prestons’ garden being seduced by a mystery man. She didn’t even know his name. Even now she could feel the faint tingle of desire as she remembered his hands on her waist and his lips brushing her own.

She wondered if he would call on her, as he’d said he would. She didn’t know if she even wanted him to. She was torn. Half of her wanted to meet this man who had kissed her so passionately the night before, but the other half wanted to hold on to the dream. If he saw her in the light of day, Lizzie knew he’d realise he’d made a mistake. Perhaps it would be better if their dalliance was kept as something magical, something Lizzie could hold on to for the rest of her life. It wasn’t as though he would desire her once he actually met her properly and maybe it would be better if she didn’t actually see the disappointment in his face as he looked at her in the daylight.

‘Look, Amelia,’ Aunt Mathilda said as she entered the room, ‘these have just arrived for you.’

She was carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers, tied with a red ribbon. Lizzie found herself smiling, wondering if they were from her mystery gentleman the night before. She hadn’t even found out his name, she realised.

She took the card from Aunt Mathilda and felt her smile falter slightly as she read it. No, these certainly weren’t from her mystery gentleman. The card was signed Mr Anthony Green and Lizzie found it hard not to shudder as she remembered their encounter the night before. She’d been introduced to many eligible gentlemen, both young and old. Most had been pleasant, although she suspected had been more interested in putting a face to the dowry than actually making her acquaintance. Mr Anthony Green had been repulsive. Not in looks—in fact, he was quite a handsome man in his early thirties—but in manner. He’d lingered over her hand just a little too long and gone out of his way to touch her upper arm at any opportunity. That in itself, of course, didn’t make him repulsive, but she’d found that he had spent more time ogling the fine jewels that hung around her neck than actually looking at her. And he’d spoken of her fortune and her dowry to her face. It might have been Lizzie’s first night out in society, but even she knew dowries were something that were whispered about behind closed doors. Mr Green had made it perfectly clear that all he was interested in was her money, and that he didn’t even think it was worth trying to disguise the fact.

Aunt Mathilda arranged the flowers on the windowsill and looked at them approvingly.

‘I’m sure you’ll be receiving many more bouquets, my dear, and hopefully a few gentlemen callers this afternoon.’

Lizzie saw Harriet’s eyes narrow at the idea of her receiving a call from an eligible gentleman, but Lizzie tried to ignore it. She wasn’t sure why Harriet disliked her so much on first sight, but she wasn’t going to provoke the situation.

‘I’m sure you’re glad you were sufficiently recovered from your illness to make your début now,’ Harriet said snidely.

Lizzie had tried to feign an illness to delay her coming out, hoping that Aunt Mathilda might let her stay hidden in her house until Amelia returned. She’d complained of a headache, fever and light-headedness, and had even gone as far as to hold the teapot to her cheeks before Aunt Mathilda came to check on her, but the older woman had sat down beside her, taken her hand and told her not to worry. She had seen through Lizzie’s ruse and put it down to Lizzie feeling nervous about making her début, so Lizzie had found herself hustled into her beautiful dress and into the carriage before she could even begin to think of another excuse to delay.

The door to the drawing room opened quietly and the butler, an elderly man with an unflappable demeanour, stepped inside.

‘The Earl of Burwell to see Miss Amelia Eastway,’ Tippings announced.

Immediately all three women stiffened. Certainly they had been expecting calls from gentlemen of the ton, but an earl was in quite another league.

Aunt Mathilda quickly crossed the room to Lizzie’s side.

‘You know the Earl of Burwell?’ she asked, her face drained of colour.

Even Harriet looked a little impressed.

Lizzie couldn’t answer. Had she met the Earl of Burwell? If so, he hadn’t stuck in her mind and she rather thought an earl should do.

Unless, of course, he was her mystery gentleman. Lizzie suddenly felt sick. Had she been kissed by an earl in the Prestons’ garden? Surely not. Surely that was something a girl would know. He’d seemed so nice, so normal, not earl-like at all. She felt her face flush at the idea of him seeing her in the light of day and wondered if she had time to escape. Maybe feign a swoon.

The door opened once again and a man stepped inside. Out of habit Lizzie found herself standing and dropping into a little bob of a curtsy as a greeting. Only then did she have the courage to raise up her eyes and look at the man she might or might not have kissed the night before.

Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened. Whomever she had expected to be standing in front of her it wasn’t this man.

‘You,’ she said before she could stop her mouth forming the words.

Lizzie could see this man was equally as surprised.

A thousand thoughts ran through Lizzie’s mind at once, not a single one coherent or helpful. Aunt Mathilda looked between Lizzie and the earl, but ever the polite hostess she invited him to sit without any further enquiry.

‘It is delightful to see you again, Miss Eastway,’ the earl said, sounding rather too composed for Lizzie’s liking.

The pieces started to fall into place and Lizzie wondered how she had not recognised his voice the night before. The Earl of Burwell was certainly her mystery gentleman, but it was not the first time they’d met. He was also the gentleman who had saved Lizzie from nearly being trampled to death by his horse, the man who had dismissed her with a single glance.

Lizzie wanted to curl up and disappear. She wondered how disappointed he was when he saw her, when he realised last night was not the first time they’d set eyes on each other.

‘It’s a beautiful afternoon,’ Aunt Mathilda said, trying to break some of the tension in the room.

‘It is indeed,’ the earl said.

‘How did you and Miss Eastway meet?’ Harriet asked and Lizzie remembered the smirk on her cousin’s face as she had witnessed Lizzie’s humiliation on her arrival to London.

The Earl of Burwell turned to face Harriet and looked at her appraisingly. His gaze was superior and a little haughty, and Lizzie was surprised Harriet didn’t squirm under the intensity of it.

‘We were formally introduced last night,’ he said eventually. ‘And I enjoyed our conversation so much I decided I wanted to see Miss Eastway again today.’

Although Lizzie knew that wasn’t quite the whole truth she was glad he’d silenced Harriet’s mocking before it had started.

‘How absolutely delightful,’ Aunt Mathilda said. ‘Now, Harriet, why don’t I show you that thing I was talking about earlier?’

Harriet looked blank but allowed her mother to usher her out of the room. Aunt Mathilda pulled the door behind her but left a chink between the wood and the frame for propriety’s sake.

Lizzie knew she would have to turn and face the earl, but she was finding it hard to summon the courage. She didn’t want to see the disappointment on his face, she didn’t want to hear him utter some made-up excuse to escape as soon as possible. For she knew he would be disappointed. Last night he hadn’t known who she was, she was sure of that. He hadn’t realised she was the woman who had caused so much havoc in the street just a week before. That woman he had dismissed without a second look, but last night he had treated her as though she were the most desirable woman on earth.

Lizzie’s heart started to sink. Maybe it had all been engineered, maybe her perfect fairy-tale moment had actually been nothing more than a fortune hunter making a naïve young girl feel attractive. She glanced briefly at the earl. He didn’t look like a fortune hunter, but she knew they came in all shapes and sizes.

‘I should apologise for last night,’ he said as he caught Lizzie’s eye.

She waited for him to actually apologise, but he was not forthcoming.

‘But I find myself unable to regret my actions.’

‘Why?’ The word was out before Lizzie could stop it. She berated herself immediately. She needed to get control of her tongue.

‘Why?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

‘Why did you kiss me?’ she whispered.

He regarded her silently for a minute, then looked away. She wondered if he were concocting a lie, trying to find something flattering to say.

‘It was rather magical last night, wasn’t it?’ he said eventually. ‘The warm summer’s evening, the faint echo of the music from the ballroom. Then a charming young woman comes and crashes into me and I just couldn’t resist.’

Lizzie found herself nodding. It had been rather magical. Not the part where she’d fallen down the stairs, or winded him so badly he hadn’t been able to breathe for a few moments, but afterwards. The caring way he’d helped her up, the feel of his touch on her skin and the moments they’d spent sitting on the bench side by side.

Then they’d stood up and Lizzie had felt him move towards her and she’d known she was about to be kissed.

‘It was not gentlemanly,’ he said seriously, but then broke out into a smile. ‘But I don’t regret it.’

She tried to believe him, tried to believe that sitting here he was not regretting the moment from the night before, but she wasn’t sure she could. Self-consciously Lizzie brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Ordinary brown hair, framing an ordinary face with just a few too many freckles.

With a glance at the door the earl stood and moved towards Lizzie. She found herself staring up at him, trying to control her breathing.

‘I really did enjoy our time together last night,’ he said, sitting himself down beside her.

Lizzie found herself nodding again. She’d enjoyed it, too.

‘And I really would like to get to know you a little more.’ His voice was low and a little seductive and Lizzie knew hundreds of women had fallen prey to him before.

She wanted to ask him why, wanted him to confess he was only interested in her for her supposed dowry, but she found her words had deserted her. His body was just that little bit too close, his thigh pressing against hers, and Lizzie knew she wouldn’t be able to construct a coherent sentence.

‘I think last night might have been the start of something special,’ he said.