Enticing the Earl

by Christie Kelley

  Finally, an hour later, she heard voices emanating from the corridor. She’d been in the house long enough to know that Charlie’s room was in the opposite wing for his privacy. As the footsteps came closer, she cracked open the door and peered down the hall.

  “Simon,” she whispered.

  Simon turned around with a sensual grin. “Can I help you with something?”

  “I need to speak with you.”

  “Mia, I’m exhausted. Can’t it wait until morning?” He covered a yawn.

  “No.”

  “Very well.” He walked into her bedroom and smiled. “I doubt you can be finished with your monthlies already so why am I here?”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “This is far more important than sexual congress.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” He eyed her dressing gown.

  “Come over to the bed.”

  “You call me into your room at one in the morning and ask me to come to your bed but this isn’t about making love?”

  “No.” She pulled back the coverlet to expose the white cotton sheet. Then she grabbed the velvet pouch Selina had given her and dumped the coins onto the bed with a jangle. “Remember I told you about that emerald I had asked Selina to pawn?”

  “You received that much money for an emerald?”

  “According to Mr. Hertzog, a jeweler in London, that emerald was very rare. And very old. And he would be willing to look at anything else we might find buried near Mrs. Perkins’s cottage.”

  Simon fell on to the bed and counted the coins. “When you said you found a small emerald, I never expected a fortune for it. This will pay for many of the upcoming expenses.”

  Mia knelt on the bed next to him. “Simon, if we dig some more we might find a few more items. Mr. Hertzog believes it might have been a battle site or maybe a place where they camped. It was suggested that we check your family history to see when they were given the title and if there was a significant reason for the earldom.”

  “It’s quite possible. My father never really spoke of our history but I’m sure it’s there in some of the books.”

  “I found two that I was looking through when Charlie arrived. One was an ancient journal from the early thirteen hundreds and the other a family Bible that lists the lineage.”

  “We should be able to find the original patent of nobility around here somewhere.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Mia suddenly felt completely awake and ready to search the library. “Do you think it would be in the library?”

  “That’s the most likely spot,” he said with a yawn. He lay back down against the pillow. “We can search tomorrow.”

  “But tomorrow we need to start digging.”

  “Tomorrow the dressmaker is coming to size you. Then we shall figure out a plan.”

  “But we must dig. Davies already knows the spot and we don’t want him taking what is rightfully yours.”

  “Ours,” he said with his eyes closed. “I believe I should sleep here tonight. Your bed is more comfortable than mine.”

  Mia shook her head. “No, we haven’t announced to the servants that we are engaged.”

  “Trust me, they know everything.” He yawned again. “Good night.”

  “No, you can’t sleep here.” Mia scrambled off the bed and attempted to pull him up.

  “Take off my boots.”

  “Simon, you must leave.”

  “I will after you remove my boots. My feet hurt.”

  “You are incorrigible.” But she moved to his feet and yanked his boots off. “Now, they’re off so come along.” She attempted to pull him off the bed again but the stubborn mule wouldn’t move. “Simon!”

  “Now my jacket.”

  “No.” He was only making himself more comfortable and she would have no part of that. “Simon, get out of my bed now.”

  He chuckled deep and low into the pillow. “You are starting to sound like a wife already. Honestly, I just want to sleep.”

  Seeing his boyish face, she couldn’t resist him. She struggled to help him remove the rest of his clothing before snuggling into bed next to him. As he curled up next to her, he kissed her forehead before falling asleep. She was quite certain she could get used to feeling so protected and loved.

  When morning arrived far too soon for Mia, she found herself still wrapped in his arms. She hadn’t admitted to anyone that other than the last two nights, she hadn’t slept well. Every night she’d tossed and turned, afraid to fall asleep and have Davies find her in a weakened state. Last night, she’d given that worry to Simon. Judging by his still-closed eyes, he hadn’t worried overmuch about it.

  She stirred slowly to allow him to continue sleeping. As she eased away, a thickly muscled arm brought her back against his chest. She smiled and savored his warmth as he showered light kisses on her temple.

  “Valiant effort at getting away but it didn’t work,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I noticed.”

  “Where do you have to be on such a glorious morning?”

  Did she have to leave her bed and him? Perhaps not yet. “I don’t believe I have anywhere I must be. Maybe a few places I should be.”

  “Name one.” He pressed his hips against her bottom until she felt his rigid manhood between them.

  “The breakfast room. You have company and one of us should be down to greet your brother.”

  A low chuckle was his comment. “If you think Charlie is out of his bed yet, you are mad. The boy will be up far closer to noon than eight.”

  She reached behind her back and stroked the top of his cock. He gasped at the light touch. “I’m certain I have something else I must leave this bed for.”

  “Don’t you dare.”

  She turned and faced him with a sensual smile. “Are you sure?”

  “Very much so,” he said with a groan as she stroked the long length of him. “Dear God, if you stop, I will chase you down until you finish this.”

  “Then I believe I had better stay.” She watched as his molded lips came closer to hers and then shut her eyes to the passion of his kisses. If only she wasn’t having her monthlies. This would be a wonderful way to wake up. Once she married him, she could wake in this manner.

  “Mia, you are amazing,” he whispered and then lay back against the pillows.

  She couldn’t help but watch his face and stare as pleasure overtook his body. He reached down and covered her hand with his to stop the movement as he reached his pinnacle.

  “Mia,” he called out as he shook with pleasure.

  She continued to stare at his strong jaw and then moved her gaze to his muscled chest and arms. How did a gentleman develop muscles like his? Neither Davies nor Paul had been built like Simon.

  He blinked his eyes open and smiled at her. “You are never leaving my bed again.”

  Her heart warmed. She didn’t want to leave his bed or his side. The man she thought to marry just for the protection of his name was becoming far too important to her. It was becoming hard to imagine her life without him near.

  He took a handkerchief from the jacket she’d dropped on the floor last night and wiped her hand. Then he brought her close. She rested her head on his chest. His strong heartbeat pounded against her ear, comforting her with its steady beat.

  “Now what did we have to do today?” he asked.

  For a moment, she couldn’t think of a thing that had to be done. Then she remembered and lifted her head to look down at him. “We must dig at Mrs. Perkins’s cottage today. We have to get there before Davies finds something and alerts others. If that happens who knows what type of people would descend on your lands and take what belongs to you.”

  “All right. After the dressmaker is finished we will go investigate Mrs. Perkins’s garden. I am not convinced we will find anything, Mia. I believe you found those pieces strictly by chance.”

  “I don’t need a special dress and you don’t have the funds for it.”

  Simon chuckled. “I believe I
do.” He reached over to the table and grabbed the coins. He dropped them one by one into her hand. “Your gowns will not cost anywhere near this.”

  “Gowns?” she asked quietly. One dress would do for now until they found more items to sell to Mr. Hertzog.

  “You will be my countess. There are certain expectations to be met as such. One is the wearing of gowns suitable to your station. I will not have people gossip about you because of your clothing.”

  Mia nodded but couldn’t help adding, “I’m certain they will find other things about me to gossip about.”

  He kissed her forehead. “You are the dearest friend of a duchess. They will accept you because you have her ear.”

  “Thank you.” She couldn’t help but be apprehensive. On the estate, everyone would be kind to her but once she left and became part of his world, everything would be different. Selina had only been a duchess for a few weeks. Very few people had even met her yet. Perhaps they could weather the storm of a Season together.

  “You’ve become very quiet,” he said softly. “Are you worried?”

  “A little.”

  “The first year will be the toughest but we won’t be in town much.”

  “Why not?” She didn’t care whether they went to London, but she felt he was not attending the Season for a reason.

  “I don’t enjoy it. The main reason is to find a bride, but I have found one right here.”

  Something about that didn’t ring true for Mia. Perhaps it was the slight change in the tone of his voice. As he said, most people have a sign that they are lying. Maybe she had just discovered his.

  “I suppose at some point we should get out of this warm bed,” he said as if to change the subject.

  Mia didn’t care why he’d said it, but she knew there was far too much to do. “Yes. We must dress and eat. But you will check the library while I’m with the dressmaker.”

  He smiled and little lines crinkled by his eyes. “Yes, darling. I will.”

  “Excellent.” Mia tossed off the coverlet and jumped out of bed. “Come along. We both have much to do.”

  Simon groaned. “Yes, darling.”

  Simon stared down at the document creating the new earldom. It had been created in the late 1300s and one of his relatives was that earl. It took some time to read through the document written in Latin, but as he read it, he realized there was no specific reason given for the conferring of the title. He picked up the ancient family Bible and looked at the lineage but again there was no indication of any battle that took place on this land.

  “What are you doing in here on such a beautiful day?” Charlie asked as he walked into the library. “I assumed you would be outside planning more changes to your gardens or fixing something.”

  “I promised Mia I would help her with something.”

  “What is it?” Charlie ran his fingers across the spine of several books on the shelf. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “I’m looking for information on why the earldom was created and if there were any battles on this land.”

  Charlie nodded. “History. Hmm, what have you found so far?”

  “Nothing. I found the patent but there was no reason given for the peerage. I just pulled out the Bible but there is nothing in it except the births and deaths.”

  Charlie scanned the books. “There must be something here.”

  “Personal journals,” Simon said, walking to the shelves. “We need to find old personal journals from our relatives.”

  “Of course.”

  They examined all the books and then shook their heads. Both pulled a few books out and quickly shelved them again.

  “Here’s one,” Charlie said, handing an old leather book to him.

  “Keep looking, I’ll check this one.” Simon sat in the chair near the window and studied the book. “It’s from one of our great-great-grandmothers. The first date is fifteen hundred and forty-five.” He read a few entries and closed the book. “It’s nothing more than a daily description of her life.”

  “So why are you searching for something regarding battles on our lands?”

  “Just a passing curiosity.” Why did he lie to his own brother about the possibility of some old gold and jewels being on the land? It was as if he couldn’t trust anyone until Davies or Lambert was caught.

  “If you think I believe that, you’re mad.” Charlie sat down across from Simon and tilted his head. “What is the real reason?”

  Simon knew in his heart that his brother was not involved but Charlie had always been the reckless one of the family. “First tell me why you don’t need money. You always run short of your monthly allowance.”

  “I already told you about Miss Stone. I have put away my rakish ways, Simon. The money you give me is more than enough to support myself comfortably when I’m not gambling and whoring.”

  Simon smiled at his brother. “I must meet the woman who can make you change for the better.”

  “Come to Suffolk and you will.”

  “We will.”

  “You’re serious?” Charlie said excitedly.

  “Yes. You were right. It will be a good opportunity to introduce Mia.”

  Charlie sobered. “And what about you?”

  Simon inhaled deeply. “I shall manage for her.” As long as Charlie was being honest, he could too. “There is more. The real reason we are searching for information is Mia found something in old Mrs. Perkins’s garden.”

  “That old witch is still alive?”

  Simon laughed remembering how Mrs. Perkins had come after Charlie with a hoe for taking some of her strawberries. “Barely. I believe she is near ninety.”

  “So what did Mia find?”

  “A gold hilt, a gold coin, and an emerald. Colin and his wife took it to Hertzog. He said if we find more, he would be interested. He believes they are very old.”

  Charlie frowned as he stood and scanned the shelves again. “I don’t understand. I know you. If there was some type of old treasure you would want it to go to the British Museum, not Hertzog.” He sobered and frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t realize your finances were that bad off.”

  Simon didn’t answer.

  “How can I help you?” Charlie offered.

  “Want to go dig in the dirt?”

  Charlie smirked. “Behind Mrs. Perkins’s garden? Absolutely.”

  “I told Mia we would go after she finishes with the dressmaker. We need to take a few footmen with us in case Davies or Lambert is there.”

  “Aren’t they one in the same?” Charlie asked as he turned back toward the shelves. He pulled out one book and leafed through the pages.

  “We can’t be certain yet.”

  Charlie swung around with a grin. “I think I found something that might help us.”

  Simon took an old bound journal from his brother’s hand. “The Ancient History of the Earls of Hartsfield.” Simon flipped through a few pages and smiled. “The Earl of Hartsfield was bestowed upon Edward Simon Blakesworth in thirteen hundred and ninty-nine for...”

  “For what?” Charlie impatiently asked.

  “I’m trying to determine just that. The ink has faded in a few spots over the last four hundred years. I believe it says just duty to the king.”

  “Wait, is that duty to King Richard II or just duty to King Henry IV?”

  “Excellent question. The letter of patent says Henry IV.”

  Charlie waved him on. “Keep reading.”

  Simon deciphered the text in silence for a while. “Apparently, the king asked then Sir Edward to investigate a possible uprising in the Midlands in support of Richard. Edward discovered a baron, I can’t read his name, was devising a way of getting Richard out of Pontefract Castle.”

  “Ahh, so we supported the House of Lancaster.”

  “So it would appear.”

  “And if the baron lived here or near here, I suppose a small battle might have taken place between the baron with no name, his supporters, and Edward and his soldiers.”
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br />   Simon laughed. “If Mia hadn’t found that small cache of items, we never would have discovered this information.”

  “Yes, but enough history for me. I say we dig,” Charlie said.

  Chapter 17

  “If she sticks me with one more pin, I will scream,” Mia said to Selina after the eighth pin stuck her. She had no idea how ladies of quality enjoyed this.

  “Just stand still, Mia,” Selina said, shaking her head as she examined the rolls of material on the table.

  “Have you ever tried to stand still when someone is sticking pins in you?”

  “Yes.” Selina picked up a sapphire silk fabric and brought it over by Mia’s shoulder. “I think this will be perfect for the wedding.”

  “Sapphire is too dark for a wedding,” the dressmaker remarked. “I brought that for the ball.”

  Selina nodded. “You are correct. This will make a beautiful ball gown.” She walked back to the table and pulled a silvery fabric.

  “No,” Mia said. “That color will look dreadful on me.”

  “I doubt that.” Selina brought the color closer and laughed. “You win. That is not a good color on you.”

  How did they go from discussing herbs and medicinal treatments a few weeks ago to dress cuts and fabrics? Mia’s life had completely turned around in just over a fortnight and she was beginning to feel the strain of it all. “Just pick the pale green.”

  “No,” both Selina and Mrs. Wilson said.

  “The ivory silk,” Mrs. Wilson said, nodding toward the table.

  “That is far too extravagant,” Mia insisted.

  Selina turned with the ivory silk in her hand and nodded. “This is the perfect material for a woman marrying an earl.” She gave Mia a look that told her not to say another word on the subject.

  “Very well,” Mia admitted defeat.

  “We are all done for now,” Mrs. Wilson said as she packed up her things. “I shall have the gown for the wedding and the blue silk done by Tuesday. The rest of the things shall be sent down to Suffolk.”