How to Train Your Earl

by Amelia Grey

  “I was glad to hear you’d come by to see me. I had good intentions of getting in touch earlier.”

  Harry shrugged. “I knew you would eventually. You’ve had quite a lot happen recently—wagers and titles. Tell me, how does it feel being an earl?”

  “Different, and the same. I still put on my clothing the same way every morning but learning to accept people I’ve known all my life or for years, like you, bowing and calling me ‘my lord.’” He shook his head. “That, I’m still adjusting to.”

  Harry snorted a good-natured laugh. “I bet that has caused you some consternation. I’m surprised you still want to be seen with me. It was quite clear your uncles didn’t want me hanging around when I went to your house.”

  “My uncles mean well—but live by old rules and traditions they aren’t likely to give up.”

  “I would assume they didn’t appreciate your terrorizing the Town with your out-of-control curricle a couple of days ago.”

  “Out of control? You bloody—” Zane caught himself and smiled. “Englishman.”

  Harry chuckled. “That’s the nicest name you’ve ever called me.”

  “I promise not to make a habit of it. And you know, I am always in control of the horses. My uncles didn’t mind the speeding carriage so much. They were livid I had Mrs. Feld with me.”

  His friend chuckled again, clearly embracing the fact he had riled Zane. “Was she frightened?”

  “Not at all.” Thoughts of Brina always distracted him. He took a moment to remember the exhilaration in her eyes and eagerness in her kiss. No matter what he was doing or who he was talking to, he always felt as if she were with him. “She loved every minute of it.”

  His friend eyed him skeptically. “That’s surprising considering—”

  Harry stopped midsentence but Zane knew what he was going to say. Her enjoying the fast ride was surprising because of Brina’s reputation as the perfect widowed lady, the example every lady who had lost her husband should follow. He didn’t mind people thinking of her that way. He had too. Now, he knew there was another side to her as well.

  Deciding to ignore Harry’s unspoken comment, Zane said, “I wanted to meet with you tonight because I need your help.”

  Harry leaned forward, and in a low voice asked, “Does it have anything to do with the man who walked in shortly after you did and hasn’t taken his eyes off your back since you sat down?”

  “No.” Zane felt a twist between his shoulder blades and his gut tightened. He looked around the room. “Every time I leave the house, someone follows me. I assume hoping to catch me take a drink, gamble, or visit a mistress. I’m sure they are being paid by whomever has wagered the most money. If I stopped one spy, another would simply appear in his place, so I don’t bother to confront them. Besides, I have nothing to hide.”

  “There are probably many men following you and watching the clubs. Every pair of eyes in here lit up when you entered the room. The amounts being entered in books all over Town is astounding everyone.”

  “Blast it—I never dreamed one little wager would turn into such madness.”

  “Maybe because it wasn’t little.”

  “Seemed so at the time,” he mumbled. “I only wanted to get her attention. Not notice from every gamester in England.”

  “But that has happened now, and you are being watched. What do you need me to do?”

  “I was hoping you’d say that. I may have mentioned my cousin Robert to you before.”

  Harry shook his head and leaned farther back into his chair as he moved his wineglass closer. “You have too many cousins for me to remember the names of any of them.”

  It was true, so Zane nodded. “He’s a young man thinking he wants to be skilled at cards, but still a greenhorn, impulsive and easily led. Apparently, now all the affection he used to have for women has turned to gaming.”

  Harry shrugged amiably and took a drink from his glass before saying, “He’ll come back around to where he realizes he can handle both.”

  Zane blew out a derisive laugh. “The problem is, he doesn’t want to take the time, as you and I did at his age, to study, learn, and get good at the games.”

  “Young men today have no patience or discipline for the finer details of card playing.”

  “Right,” Zane agreed. “I have reason to suspect he may be getting into debt with someone or a card club. Maybe more than one.”

  “You think it’s possible that some of the men are duping him and using him to plump their pockets?”

  “Precisely,” Zane said, and looked around the room again. “He’s a good fellow but maybe with more swagger than he can back up. As you well know, there are a few men who make their living off a younger man’s pockets. Until Robert learns to control his gaming limits, he’s at risk. He’s come to me twice for money since he’s been home. That causes me worry.”

  “Is he giving you any details?”

  “No, and I try to be careful. I appreciate his need for privacy. He wouldn’t like it if he knew I was checking on him. I hope you can make some discreet inquiries for me.”

  “An easy enough request. Do you have names?”

  “Not that I can confirm. Only suspicions right now.”

  “Your instincts are always good.”

  Zane hoped they didn’t fail him this time. “Robert’s spending a lot of time with a man his age who seems to have enough money to stay in the games, Harper Tabor. I haven’t been around him often. He seems innocent enough, but I feel something isn’t right. He doesn’t have the attitude or style of an accomplished gamester.”

  “You think he might be a decoy to lure Robert into debt?”

  For Brina’s sake, he hoped that wasn’t the case, but to Harry, he said, “Very possible.”

  “I’ve not heard Tabor’s name mentioned in any of the clubs, nor a word about your cousin.”

  “Tabor could be one of the greenhorns being duped himself. He’s young too. I don’t want Robert getting in deeper than he should. I need to know if he’s borrowing money to gamble from anyone else and who he might owe.”

  “The amount can’t be huge. You know word like that gets around fast.”

  “That’s why I’m asking now. If there are debts, I want to settle them before they get out of hand.”

  “Do you have any other details?”

  “Robert mentioned a man named Remick who was having a series of games, and he didn’t have the blunt to get in.”

  Harry shook his head. “Never heard his name, but games and clubs come and go so frequently.”

  Zane nodded. “I could be wrong, and both Tabor and Remick are square with Robert, and they are all having friendly games to improve his skills. I want to make sure before I leave him to stand on his own.”

  “I’ll ask around and be in touch when there’s something to report.”

  “The favor will be returned whenever you ask.”

  Harry straightened in his chair and picked up his glass and sipped. “You can grant me that favor right now.”

  “Tell me what you want.”

  “I want to hear about the widow who convinced you to give up wine, cards, and women.”

  Chapter 17

  Passion was a peculiar thing, Brina decided, placing a large basket on the dining room table. She was certain she’d had as much of it for her husband as she now had for the earl. The problem was, she didn’t remember it. The past couple of nights she’d lain awake in her bed trying to recall the memories of Stewart’s touch.

  She’d failed.

  Once they were so vivid. Now, she couldn’t bring them to mind.

  Perhaps it wasn’t so odd she couldn’t summon them to comfort her anymore. It was so long ago. She was still practically a child when she married him. She’d been so eager to be his wife. At one time, recollections of her husband had overwhelmed her to the point she thought she’d never recover from the loss. The sad truth that she hated to admit even to herself was that feelings and memories of Stewart had st
arted to fade before Zane came into her life and disrupted it with his wager, his kisses, and his very presence.

  Now it was Blacknight who took up too much space in her thoughts. If she wasn’t thinking about him, she would see, hear, or touch something that would bring him to mind.

  Especially when she was alone.

  She hardly had room for other and more important things to ponder such as getting on with the preparations to give the girls painting lessons. The spring weather had been lovely so it was the perfect time to set up the easels outside. She believed it would be helpful to the girls in their sewing classes if they knew how to sketch a dress and then paint it in lovely colors.

  Yet, time after time, she put those thoughts aside because she greatly enjoyed thinking about Zane and remembering his touch and kisses. How divinely delicious it was to feel desired again. For some reason, she’d always thought it would be a betrayal to Stewart to have wanton feelings of any kind for another man, but now that she actually had them for Zane, she didn’t sense any disloyalty to Stewart’s memory.

  She only felt hard, fast, flowing passion.

  And that was troublesome. She hadn’t expected to be so enamored with Zane. He was supposed to be a rake. Why hadn’t she heard that he was drinking and gambling—or, at the very least, swearing? That is what she needed the earl to do. And soon. Not give her kisses that made her feel as if she were melting into a pool of sensuous fantasy. Not proving he could change. That he could be a gentleman and refuse her invitation for more than kisses thrice.

  Thrice!

  She had no doubt he wanted her. The evidence had been clear, strong, and tempting. She desperately wanted him—to be with him, but she hadn’t changed her mind about marriage. It was too hard. Too heartbreaking, and she’d never live through that again for any man.

  A knock on the front door made Brina jump. Her first thought was that it was Zane. Anticipation gripped her. And that aggravated her. Why did he have to be the first person to come to mind?

  “It could be anyone, you ninny,” she whispered, and shook her head at how easily she could get caught up into thinking about the unforgettable earl. The man was a constant drain on her thoughts.

  Maybe Adeline had walked over with her rambunctious little boy. Chatwyn loved to throw the ball to her while she and Adeline chatted. Perhaps Julia had stopped by for a visit or maybe even Mr. Inwood had sent more flowers. The young bachelor had already sent two baskets. All of them pink. He was handsome, nice, and gentlemanly. A note asking if he might call on her always accompanied the bouquets. Brina had absolutely no desire to have him court her. She had all she could handle wrapped up in a man named Blacknight.

  Heaven help her! The only time he should cross her mind was when she was envisioning him going to his club and drowning himself in brandy and gambling all night long. That was the only thing that was going to save her from a marriage she couldn’t possibly accept.

  Time was running out, and so far, he hadn’t cooperated.

  “I’m only home for Adeline or Julia,” Brina called to Mrs. Lawton as she passed the dining room doorway heading to the front of the house.

  “I understand, Mrs. Feld,” the housekeeper assured her without breaking her stride.

  Determined to rid herself of purely selfish thoughts, Brina pulled a large, round tin out of her basket and placed it on the table. Next, she grabbed the stack of thin cotton fabric she had cut into small squares, and then the lengths of string she’d carefully measured and snipped yesterday afternoon. She lined up everything perfectly on the table in the order she’d use them. This system made her project go faster.

  After opening the tin, she shook most of the contents into the bowl and placed a teaspoon in the middle of it. That’s when she heard a man’s voice. A familiar voice. The earl’s voice.

  Anticipation filled her again. Followed by more annoyance with herself. It would be so much easier if she felt nothing but mere curiosity when he came to her door. Why did he refuse the usual manner of sending a note asking to call on her at an appointed time? Why did she want to see him? He’d been nothing but trouble since the first time she met him. She would have saved herself a lot of distress if she’d left him tied to the chair.

  Mrs. Lawton quietly appeared. “I know you didn’t want to be disturbed, Mrs. Feld, but it’s Lord Blacknight. He says he’s hoping you’ll make an exception and see him. He has something important he needs to discuss with you.”

  “Important?” That got her interest. “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Lawton. Ask him to join me in here.”

  Any resolve she’d had not to be affected by him melted away the moment he appeared in the doorway of the dining room. Her heart and chest felt as if it expanded. His tall lean body looked exceptionally powerful. The color and texture of his thick black hair and the way he combed it away from his face gave a strong, handsomely fierce appearance that drew her. Now, she knew she would never grow tired of looking at him or being moved by the sight of him.

  His dark blue eyes brushed softly over her face. She didn’t know how, but she felt his deep desire for her.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Feld.”

  Trying to tamp down all she was experiencing and her simple delight at seeing him, she said, “My lord, don’t you think it would have been nice to let me know you wanted to come over this afternoon?”

  “I thought you liked surprises.”

  His innocent comment made her smile. “Perhaps, but I’m not certain I always appreciate surprises from you.”

  “You seemed to have a good time when I brought horses for you to ride. And the fast curricle.”

  “Yes. I suppose I enjoyed both those things, but then there was the matter of the wager.”

  He winced and stepped farther into the dining room. “Not my finest hour.”

  “No, but we won’t dwell on that. Mrs. Lawton said you had something important to discuss with me. Naturally that made me curious.”

  “I like it when you are curious.”

  So did she. “Never mind about that,” she said with a quirk of her head.

  He regarded her with barely concealed amusement. “I wanted to know if you’ve seen or heard from Harper in the past couple of days?”

  “I’ve seen him recently. He came over and had tea with me. We had a lovely visit both times except for—”

  He walked toward her slowly, determined, until he stood inches away. “For what?”

  “He was very concerned about the curricle ride with you—as most everyone seemed to be.”

  Zane’s features relaxed, and he nodded. “I received my share of lectures about how irresponsible I was to be so uncontrolled when you were in my care.”

  Brina huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “I really can’t fathom the stir it has caused. I thought Harper might really be on the verge of calling you out for endangering my life.”

  “Maybe he should have. I’ve heard several comments maligning my lack of restraint.”

  “Nonsense. Your handling of the horses saved us from crashing more than once.”

  He smiled and accepted her praise without comment.

  “I had to tell him I’m the one who encouraged you because I didn’t like being spied upon. The way everyone is acting, you’d think I was the first lady to ride in a carriage that was speeding along so fast.”

  He lifted one dark brow. “Maybe you were. We were almost flying.” His voice lowered to almost a whisper as he continued, “More than that, I think everyone sees you as an angel, and I am the devil who is corrupt and leading you astray.”

  Brina tensed and turned away from him. She didn’t like that characterization used for her. If people only knew what she’d done, they’d never call her that again. She wasn’t an angel. Far from it.

  She looked over to the table. Realizing she hadn’t replaced the lid on the tin, she asked, “What was the particular reason you wanted to see me about Harper?”

  He followed her over to the table and leaned a hip against i
t. “I wondered if he might have mentioned Robert during your visits. Uncle Hector said he hasn’t been home in a couple of days, which is unusual, so he’s worrying.”

  “Does Robert have a place of his own?”

  “No. Since he and Harper have been spending time together in the evenings, I was hoping he might have mentioned Robert was staying with him.”

  “I suppose he could be, though it would be unlikely he’d stay with him for long. I’ve not actually been there, but my father has said that Harper’s room is quite small. If you’re concerned, I could send a note and ask him to come see me about this.”

  The earl shook his head. “I’d rather you didn’t. Young men don’t usually want their fathers or uncles asking questions. Robert’s impulsive. He could be staying at someone’s house for a card party or other things.”

  She could imagine what the other things might be for a man of twenty-two years. “That’s quite possible. Harper mentioned he’d gotten more involved in playing cards and hoped to be invited to join a club soon. He was quite excited about it.”

  Zane straightened. “Did he happen to give the name of the person who invited him?”

  “Not that I recall.”

  “Can you think of anything else he might have said that was out of the ordinary conversation?”

  “No but he was acting quite agitated. Harper is mild and usually hard to upset,” Brina offered, but didn’t want to say too much. She couldn’t come out and accuse Zane’s cousin of influencing Harper with his gambling. Not at this point anyway. Though there might come a time she’d have to say something. “It wouldn’t have been proper for me to quiz him about it. Men love their gaming. As we’ve mentioned, Lyon certainly enjoys his private club.”

  “But it’s very exclusive, Brina.”

  She returned the tin to the table after securing the lid, resisting the impulse to go further into this matter and say too much about what she really felt. “All men think their clubs are exclusive, do they not? Where or who Harper plays cards with is not any of my business. For now. Perhaps Robert’s shouldn’t be any of yours or his father’s.”