How the Earl Fell for His Countess (Matchmaking Madness Book 2)
Page 20
Reese smiled. “Yes. If you will also recall, it was you who I focused my attention on. I may have called you Charlotte, but I only played a part for the prize I would receive in the end.”
“Then why did you hold on to your anger after we wed? Why did you push me away?”
Reese rolled them over. He tucked a strand of Evelyn’s hair behind her ear. “I was furious for myself because I let my emotions come between gaining support for my family. I always promised myself that I would not allow a woman to hold any power over me. Love was not allowed. I watched how it affected my mother my entire life and I did not want that for myself.”
“And how is that any different now?”
“Because I cannot live a day without you by my side. I realized that I can no longer deny the depth of love I hold for you. You make my heart complete. I am a mere shell of a man without your love.”
“Then explain why you declared your revenge in front of our families?”
“Jealousy.”
“I do not understand.” Evelyn looked at Reese with confusion.
“I wanted you for myself. When your family arrived and Charlotte taunted us with her gift, I wanted to strike out. Instead, I lashed out at you, destroying the bond we had created. A moment I will regret until my dying day. I thought I could keep you separate the way my father did with my mother, but each day I only craved a lifetime of special moments with you. I hope that one day you will, too.”
“There is no need for you to hold out any longer.” Evelyn’s eyes drifted away.
Reese’s hope plummeted before he noticed the smile tugging on Evelyn’s lips. When she turned her gaze back, the sparks shot forth, hypnotizing him.
Evelyn placed on her hand on Reese’s cheek in a loving gesture. “I have never given up hope since that night a scoundrel seduced me with his scandalous kisses. When he first whispered of his secretive desires and awakened my soul from the shell I hid in.”
“My love,” Reese whispered before taking Evelyn’s lips in the sweetest kiss ever.
When Reese pulled away, Evelyn whispered, “I am sorry, too.”
“Whatever for?”
“For deceiving you at the house party. Nothing else. I have not regretted a moment since we left my uncle’s estate. But I regret playing you false. I never intended to trap you. I only wanted you to take notice of me.”
Reese settled Evelyn in his arms. “Ah, love. I should never have left you to doubt your hold over me. I should have been honest from the start, and then we would not have this clouding over our marriage.”
“I feared my defiance pushed you too far.”
“Never. However, it took me by surprise. My quiet, sweet, innocent wife refused my orders, provoking an urge to see if she would respond with her threats. In which I can happily say I am more than thrilled with her initiative.”
“So it was not what you expected from a dull debutante, Lord Worthington?” Evelyn arched a brow.
Reese laughed. “You are a complete surprise from one moment to the next, Lady Worthington.”
“Thank you, Reese.”
“For what?”
“For bringing me to life after so many years of feeling dead inside. When I lost my parents, I spent the past few years living in fear, afraid anyone else I loved would die. When you kissed me, it awakened my soul, giving me a reason to live each day to the fullest. Your kisses make me feel alive.”
“Then I shall fill every one of your days with kisses.” Reese followed his promise with many kisses.
“Only with kisses?” Evelyn whispered.
Reese leaned over and whispered his desires in her ear, promising her a lifetime of seduction. His seductive promises filled her with a desire to make him come undone.
Evelyn pulled back with a wicked smile. “Do you promise to make me whisper, moan, and scream?”
Reese growled, rolling on top of Evelyn and pulling her underneath him. “Louder than you ever have before.”
Reese spent the entire day showing Evelyn how much he yearned for her. Desired her. Loved her. Each delectable minute was filled with whispers, moans, and screams, the most pleasurable sounds Reese had ever heard. In return, Evelyn delivered her own revenge, demanding the same. The whispers of their love mingled in between each caress and kiss.
Epilogue
A couple of weeks later, Evelyn and Reese joined their families for a dinner celebrating their Gretna Green nuptials. With a little persuasion, Uncle Theo convinced Reese to accept the marriage settlement he had torn apart. Uncle Theo explained to Reese that the settlement wasn’t a result of his dowry for Evelyn, but from the dowry Evelyn’s father had written for his daughters before he died. The offering was the last gift from Evelyn’s parents and one Reese wouldn’t deny. Reese agreed on the stipulation that once their finances were stable, he would return the money to a trust for their future children.
Reese’s mother and sisters arrived the day before. They agreed Eden and Noel would have a season. After much grumbling from Maggie, they promised her visits to Tattersalls to overcome her complaints on wearing dresses every day. Reese’s sisters soon found themselves swept into Evelyn’s family, making quick friends with her sisters, cousin, and Abigail. Her mother-in-law and Aunt Susanna chatted like old friends, making plans for the girls’ debuts.
Evelyn watched in amusement as Gemma flirted outrageously with Graham, who did his own fair amount of flirting in return. She looked over to her husband, who was talking with Uncle Theo, and nodded her head to them. He frowned, drawing her uncle’s attention. When her uncle showed his displeasure, Reese spoke something to appease him. It would appear Uncle Theo didn’t hold the same opinion as Evelyn that Gemma and Graham made an amazing couple. They had the same hair coloring, and Gemma kept hitting Graham on the shoulder with a friendly gesture. Not to mention the dreamy expression in Gemma’s eyes when she gazed at Graham. They were perfect.
“Whatever you are plotting, you must stop now. Your uncle does not approve, nor do I,” said Reese.
“I do not plot.” Evelyn scoffed.
Reese laughed. “I know better. How else do you explain the reason for our marriage?”
Before Evelyn could answer, Reese snuck them out of the drawing room and into a dark alcove. He dipped his head to steal a kiss. However, one kiss led to another, and Evelyn didn’t realize Reese had distracted her.
“The very same marriage you provoked my uncle into demanding?” Evelyn slapped Reese on the chest.
“I plead in my defense the devastating effect of a siren casting a spell on me.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Are you implying that you became smitten by my very presence?”
“Smitten. Aroused. Loved. Take your pick.” Reese stole a kiss.
Evelyn slid her hand inside his suitcoat. “Mmm. I think I may need to hear more of your defense before I state my own.”
“Perhaps we should return home before the others to clear any misconception.”
“Reese, we cannot leave early. Tonight is in our honor.”
“No one will notice.” Reese trailed a path of kisses along Evelyn’s neck.
“Since this is a celebration of our marriage, I do have a special negligee to wear this evening.”
Reese’s gaze smoldered at the mention of Evelyn’s wedding nightgown. He remembered how she’d rewarded him for fixing the gown he destroyed. Their need to leave became urgent.
“And you do need more practice on your riding lesson.”
When Evelyn told Reese how she’d asked Charlotte to give her riding lessons to win his love, Reese demanded that he would be the one to teach Evelyn. Her desire to overcome her fear for him humbled him. He didn’t know what he did to deserve this amazing lady, but not a single day went by without worshipping the ground she walked on. Reese had fallen hard for Evelyn.
Reese trailed kisses along Evelyn’s neck. His thumbs brushed against her nipples, turning them into tight buds. His hunger for raspberries and vanilla increased his need to se
duce Evelyn. Reese’s lips hovered near her breasts, his tongue licking the crest between them. He knew it wouldn’t be long before she succumbed to his temptation. Reese could be relentless until he won.
“You are shameless, Lord Worthington.” Evelyn sighed.
“Only for you, Lady Worthington,” Reese whispered.
Evelyn hungered for Reese to appease the ache consuming her body. Her husband had made very valid points on why they should return home. His seduction only emphasized the need for their discussion to continue in the comfort of their bed. No one would miss them. Or else she hoped nobody took notice of their departure.
Evelyn’s body warmed from the blush overtaking her senses. She yanked on her husband’s hand, and they swiftly made their way to the door. When she looked over her shoulder, Reese was smiling smugly, and she shook her head. Her husband was most sinful. A trait she greatly admired. Evelyn returned his smile with one filled with all her love.
How else was a countess to feel when her earl fell for her?
The End
Look for Gemma’s story in May 2021!
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Author Laura A. Barnes
International selling author Laura A. Barnes fell in love with writing in the second grade. After her first creative writing assignment, she knew what she wanted to become. Many years went by with Laura filling her head full of story ideas and some funny fish songs she wrote while fishing with her family. Thirty-seven years later, she made her dreams a reality. With her debut novel Rescued By the Captain, she has set out on the path she always dreamed about.
When not writing, Laura can be found devouring her favorite romance books. Laura is married to her own Prince Charming (who for some reason or another thinks the heroes in her books are about him) and they have three wonderful children and two sweet grandbabies. Besides her love of reading and writing, Laura loves to travel. With her passport stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland; she hopes to add more countries to her list soon.
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Desire other books to read by Laura A. Barnes
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Matchmaking Madness Series:
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How the Earl Fell for His Countess
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Whom Shall I Kiss... An Earl, A Marquess, or A Duke?
Whom Shall I Marry... An Earl or A Duke?
I Shall Love the Earl
The Scoundrel’s Wager
The Forgiven Scoundrel
Tricking the Scoundrels Collection Box Set
ROMANCING THE SPIES Series:
Rescued By the Captain
Rescued By the Spy
Rescued By the Scot
Romancing the Spies Collection Box Set