What the Earl Needs Now (The Earls Next Door Book 2)

by Michelle Willingham

  Lily knelt down beside the animal. “There now,” she murmured, stroking his ears. She tucked the blanket around him “Sleep until morning.” To Matthew, she asked, “Should we unwrap the muzzle?”

  “Not just yet,” he said. “We do not know the dog, and pain is often worse the second day. If he awakens and is hurting, he may try to bite those trying to help him. When you feed him, we can take it off.”

  Lily suspected he was right. She reached out to pet the dog, stroking his damp fur. He laid his head down and closed his eyes as she soothed him.

  “You have a gentle touch, Lily,” Matthew said. “And I believe the dog will live.”

  She smiled, feeling at ease for the first time in a while. “It feels good to have a sense of purpose. Even if it is only a dog.”

  “I am certain he appreciates it, though he can only growl or bark.” Matthew joined her on the floor, reaching out to stroke the dog’s fur. The animal gave a low snore, and Lily started to draw her hand back. Matthew rested his palm atop hers, covering her hand. For a moment, she let him touch her, feeling the heat of his hand on hers.

  Her brother cleared his throat, reminding them both of his presence. “Shouldn’t you be going now, Arnsbury?”

  Lily gave a sheepish smile, for she had forgotten all about James standing near the fire. “In a moment, he will. Matthew, thank you for your help tonight. And especially with Mother when she ran away.”

  Her brother’s gaze narrowed, for she had neglected to tell him of Iris’s attempt to escape. “What happened?”

  Lily gave him a short version of the story and said, “I think she gets lonely, and it causes her bad spells to worsen. I was glad Matthew was there to stop her from fleeing.”

  Her brother appeared uneasy by it. “Thank you for your help, Arnsbury. Calvert will see you to the door.”

  But Matthew kept his hand atop hers, his expression turning amused. “I can stay longer, if you like.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Her brother sent him a pointed look, and Lily understood the silent message.

  “Unfortunately, I think James is right,” she said. “It is rather late.”

  “Someone should stay with the dog,” Matthew suggested. “It’s a strange house, and he might awaken in pain.”

  “I was planning to keep the door to the study closed,” Lily said. “I believe he will be fine.” But she was quite conscious of Matthew’s touch. Instead of petting the dog, his thumb was stroking her hand.

  “Good night, Arnsbury,” James said, opening the door. “I’m certain you can see yourself out.” It was a not-so-subtle reminder of the time. But instead, Matthew grinned at her brother as if James were the one leaving. “Goodnight, Penford. Sleep well. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

  James tipped his head to the side and regarded him. For a moment, there was a silent battle between them, but Lily could not tell why. Then her brother surprised her by saying, “Do you know I’ve a mind to let you stay with the dog. It would serve you right to sleep on the floor with a hairy creature who smells terrible.”

  “It’s not that far from the truth,” Matthew remarked. “I do spend my nights with a hairy creature, though I cannot say that I sleep very much.”

  Lily hid her smile, turning away at his mention of the kitten, Beast. “He can stay if he wants to, James. I see no harm in it.”

  “Have you lost your mind, Lily? People will talk. And why on earth would I allow him to stay?”

  “Because I am worried about the dog. And because he offered to watch over him for the night.” She made no mention of her own desire for Matthew to stay. “You can lock him in the study if you are worried about my virtue.”

  James’s face darkened, and his gaze fixed upon Matthew before it turned back to her. “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it, Lily?”

  A flush slid over her cheeks, for he already knew of her lost innocence. She had made that mistake years ago, and there was no undoing it.

  “I intend to go and see about our mother,” she said, ignoring his remark. To Matthew, she added, “Go or stay. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  But as she left them behind, she rather hoped he would remain.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Matthew sat on the floor beside the sleeping dog. The coals burned low in the hearth, but it provided a pleasant warmth for both of them. It was a miracle that the animal had not been crushed by the carriage wheels, but somehow, he had survived.

  A low whining sound came from the dog’s throat, and he twitched in his sleep. Matthew eased himself to lie down beside the animal and rested his hand upon the black and white fur, stroking gently. The dog seemed to relax, taking comfort from his presence. The glow from the hearth seemed to cast a peaceful spell over them, and as foolish as it was, Matthew rather enjoyed resting beside the dog.

  He knew what it was to be alone and suffering, yearning for someone to take away the pain. And somehow, the dog’s presence seemed to fill up the emptiness that burdened him even now. For this moment, there was only the two of them and the warmth of the fire. He kept one arm over the animal, until its breathing grew deep and even. It was strange to feel the same weariness passing over him. He stared into the fire, and he relaxed against the furry presence.

  Sleep had eluded him for so long, but he closed his eyes and let his mind drift back to more pleasant memories. Lily’s beauty had struck him speechless, and he hadn’t known what to say or do.

  She had arrived with her sister, Rose, as well as her parents and her brother, James. Although it was her sister’s debut, Matthew had been caught up in the soft dreaminess of Lily’s face. She hung back from the others, drinking in the sight of the ballroom as if she had never imagined to be there. Although he’d seen her on occasion while visiting James, Matthew had never imagined Lady Lily would transform into such a breathtaking woman.

  His mother had all but shoved him toward the Thornton girls, but he held himself back. Instead, he found a way to discreetly stare at Lily. Her brown hair was caught up in a soft updo with hothouse gardenias tucked amid the strands. In the light, there were tints of red and gold, and he was transfixed by her presence.

  “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” His cousin, Juliette Fraser, moved behind him and touched his shoulder. “I suppose you have not seen Lady Lily in several years, since she only just returned from school.”

  He didn’t quite know what to say, but it was easier to nod.

  “Would you like to speak with her?” Juliette asked.

  “It’s not necessary,” he replied. “Her sister is making her debut, and I should not interfere with that.”

  His cousin’s eyes were kind, almost maternal as she smiled at him. He had always been close to Juliette and had even spent a summer in Scotland with her family.

  Her expression turned conspiratorial. “Leave everything to me, Matthew.” She crossed the ballroom and went to speak with Lily’s mother, Lady Penford.

  He didn’t know whether to stand his ground or seek an escape.

  His cousin disappeared behind one of the doors and returned a moment later, leaving the door slightly ajar. She approached Lady Penford and spoke to the woman quietly before leading the countess toward him, with Lady Rose and Lady Lily following behind. Matthew straightened and saw his cousin wink at him. What had Juliette done now? He suspected it had something to do with her hasty disappearance.

  “Lady Penford,” she began, “I know you remember my godson and cousin, Matthew Larkspur, the Earl of Arnsbury?”

  “Of course,” the matron responded, winking at him. “Matthew and James have been friends for years.” Then she nodded to her daughters. “You already know Rose and Lily, I’m certain.”

  “It has been a long time.” Matthew kissed Lady Rose’s hand, and when he took Lady Lily’s hand, he held it a moment longer than he should have. She flushed but ventured a faint smile.

  “Matthew, I—oh dear.” Juliette’s words broke off, and she sighed. “That cat. What am I to do with him?�
� He turned to see what she was speaking of and saw a brown- and black-striped cat walking across the refreshment table.

  Lady Lily’s face transformed into a delighted smile, and she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll get him for you.”

  She started toward the table, and her mother apologized, “Lily loves animals. I fear she may not give the cat back.”

  “Matthew, go and help her,” his cousin bade him. “I wouldn’t want Lady Lily to be scratched by Tom.”

  Understanding dawned upon him. So that was what she had done. The merriment in Juliette’s eyes suggested that she had known full well that the cat would begin exploring the ballroom. He had to admit, his cousin was indeed clever.

  He bowed to the women before he followed. Lady Lily was already reaching for the cat, but Tom stretched out on the table and batted at her gloved hands.

  “He thinks it’s a game,” Matthew told her. “Tom isn’t the most obedient of cats.”

  “And that is why I love them so,” Lily answered. “They are deliciously selfish. I have an older cat of my own whom I adore.”

  Matthew recalled that their family had owned a cat, but he’d never paid much attention to the animal. “What is his name?” He reached out and scooped the cat off the table, but he didn’t remove Tom from the room. He now had the perfect means of speaking to Lady Lily, and he intended to hold on to the feline.

  The young woman bit her lip. “His, ah, his name is rather ridiculous, I fear. I’ve had him since I was a young girl, and I named him when I was five years old.”

  He waited for her to continue, but Lady Lily said nothing at first. Instead, she reached out to pet Tom’s head, rubbing at his ears. The cat purred, and her gloved hand brushed against his chest as she continued to give the animal affection. At last, she confessed, “I called him Princess, for I wanted a girl cat.”

  “And you still deride his masculinity with the name?”

  She was trying to hold back laughter when the cat caught her glove with his claws. “His full name was Princess Caledonia. My father had more inappropriate names for him, since Princess insisted on scratching the furniture—but I shall not reveal those.”

  Lily was trying to extricate her glove from the cat’s claws, but every time she tried to free herself, the cat snagged another bit of fabric.

  “The inappropriate names are far more interesting.” Matthew tried to help her remove the claws, but instead, it resulted in him sliding her glove off her hand. The cat was delighted to have the glove and it squirmed in Matthew’s arms, trying to bite the delicate material. “Will you help me remove Tom from the ballroom?”

  “Of course.” Lily walked alongside him. She made no comment about the door being ajar but pushed it open further and followed him into the hallway. “Where should we bring him?”

  “Outside in the garden should do well enough. He can hunt until it’s time to return.” He nodded toward the doorway at the far end of the house. “Could you go and open that door for me?”

  She hesitated a moment. “We should have gone the other way, I think. My mother will be angry with me for being alone with you.”

  He remained standing where he was. “It was not my intent to frighten you, Lady Lily.”

  “No, I realize that your hands are filled with the cat. It’s unlikely that you intended to accost me or damage my reputation.”

  Matthew took a step closer to her and set the cat down. Without asking permission, he held out her glove and took her bare hand. Slowly, he slid it over her fingers, then kept her hand in his. The air between them seemed to grow warmer, and her hazel eyes flared with heat. He held her hand a moment, and the cat slid between them, rubbing his head against their legs.

  And when Lily smiled at him, the ground beneath his feet seemed to crumble.

  The next morning, Lily was startled to learn that Matthew had, in fact, stayed with the dog. She opened the study and found him sitting beside the animal, stroking his fur.

  “I didn’t expect you to stay,” she admitted. “I suppose there will be talk, won’t there?” For him to stay overnight at the house, even with her brother at home, was quite a scandal.

  “Only if you tell them,” he said. He rose and stretched by the fire, and she was caught by the outline of his body against the linen shirt. His skin still held a deep tan from the India sun, and she longed to touch it. Lily didn’t know what was the matter with her, but she could not deny her attraction to Matthew. It had not dissipated even a little over the years, despite all that had happened. She turned away to force back the unbidden feelings.

  “How is the dog?” she inquired. “Was he in a great deal of pain?”

  “I think he had enough laudanum to knock him senseless. I don’t recall him whimpering very much, once we both went to sleep.” Matthew went to stand before her, and she saw that the dog was breathing easier.

  “I’ve asked Dr. Fraser to come and look in on him,” she admitted. “I know it’s only a dog, but I want to be sure I set his leg properly.”

  Last night, for the first time in her life, she had felt such pride in taking care of the dog. She hadn’t thought about her inexperience or lack of knowledge, but had charged forward, wanting to help the animal.

  “He looks better,” Matthew answered. As if in response, the dog yawned and tried to get up from the hearth. He avoided putting much weight on the broken leg and slumped back on the blanket, his tail wagging.

  “He’ll need more laudanum,” Lily said. “I’ll put some in his breakfast. But only a little.” She decided to start him with a meat broth, not knowing how much food he could handle, if any.

  The dog attempted to stand once again, but swayed on his feet. He sniffed at the rug, in spite of the muzzle, as if searching for food. Lily rang for a servant. “He may be hungry, but I don’t want him to eat too quickly.”

  The door swung open, and James joined them. “I see you disregarded my wishes, Arnsbury.”

  Lily couldn’t quite read her brother’s mood, but she stepped toward him. “James, there was no harm done. He slept with the dog, and that was all.”

  A hint of amusement crossed her brother’s face. “A fitting bedmate, I should think.”

  Matthew stared back at James. “I could say something, but we are in the presence of your sister, and it would not be appropriate. For now, I’ll say only that you should cease the derisive remarks.” Though his tone was stern, she saw the twinkle in his eyes that mirrored her brother’s humor.

  The footman arrived, and Lily ordered the meat broth for the dog, along with warm water, towels, and soap. To the men, she added, “You can both have breakfast in the dining room. I want to stay with the dog and clean his wounds again.”

  “I’ll remain here,” Matthew responded. “You couldn’t lift that dog if you wanted to.”

  He was right about that. Even though the animal was thin and starved, he was still about seven or eight stone in weight. “Very well. You may stay.”

  “If he stays, then I intend to stay,” James intervened. He ordered the footman to bring breakfast into the study. “We may as well dine here together.”

  The dog limped unsteadily closer to Matthew, still sniffing the floor. Lily was about to ask him to lift the dog back to the desk, when the animal cocked his leg and relieved himself on Matthew’s ankle.

  “What on earth?” He rolled his eyes in disgust. “After the night we spent together, you would do this?”

  James howled with laughter. “Oh God, that’s the best dog I’ve ever seen. Lily, you have my approval if you wish to keep him.”

  She glared at her brother. “Go and fetch Matthew a pair of trousers to replace these.” To Matthew, she added, “I’m so sorry. We should have taken him out, and. . .I suppose he couldn’t hold it.”

  After James left, the dog limped under the desk and lay down, as if ashamed of himself. Matthew sighed and leaned against the desk. “I liked that dog until now.”

  “He didn’t mean anything,” Lily insisted. “You must
know it was only an accident.”

  Matthew raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head. “Accident or not, I suppose my clothes are ruined, and it hardly matters what happens now.” He crossed the room and lifted the dog into his arms. The animal squirmed, and when Matthew set him down on the desk, the dog whined.

  “Thank you,” Lily said. “I want to check his wounds again to be certain I didn’t miss anything. And he may likely need a bath.”

  “So could I,” Matthew remarked, wincing as he eyed his trousers. But he helped her by holding the dog gently and stroking his head. Soulful brown eyes stared into his, and the dog jolted when Lily touched a sensitive place.

  The footman returned with their breakfast while a second footman brought the meat broth, the towels, and a basin. Lily dipped the linen cloth into the warm water and wrung it out over the wound. The dog tried to scramble away, but Matthew held him in place.

  “There, lad. You’ll be all right.” He leaned in close and whispered, “You’re a good dog, even if you did piss on me.”

  She cleansed the raw skin again, wrapping fresh linen bandages around the animal. But the dog’s flesh was bruised and swollen, and she didn’t doubt that he was feeling the pain. It let out a mournful groan, and she gentled her touch. “You’ll be well soon enough,” she told the dog. “I suppose I ought to give you a name for now.” She thought a moment and then decided, “I will call you Sebastian.” The dog perked up slightly at the name, his tail thumping. She rubbed his ears, and he leaned back, trying to roll to his back.

  “What will you do with him?”

  She hadn’t truly thought about that. “I cannot simply throw him back into the streets. It wouldn’t be right.” And yet, she wasn’t quite certain what to do with the dog. He was sniffing at her fingertips, struggling to get up. At first, she tried to hold him down, and then it occurred to her what he wanted. “Matthew, will you help me remove the muzzle? I want to give him some more laudanum in the meat broth.”