The Earl's Dangerous Assignment (Unlikely Pairs Book 3)

by Ginny Hartman

  Levi's insides instantly turned to mush. He pulled his wife into a hidden cove and trapped her body against the wall with his own. “I might be persuaded to extend forgiveness on two conditions.”

  Lydia batted her lashes at him coquettishly. “Anything, Your Grace.”

  “First, you must try with all your might to stop defying me in public. It wounds my male pride if I must be honest.”

  Lydia stifled a giggle. “I can only promise to try.”

  “I daresay that would be an improvement over your current state.”

  Lydia stuck her tongue out at him as he continued, “Secondly, you must endeavor to convince me that you are truly contrite for your actions.”

  “But what if I'm not?”

  “Have you no remorse at all?” he asked with a hint of amusement.

  “My conscience does not allow me to feel regret when my actions are pure. I've only attempted to assist a friend in need. Should I feel sorry for that?”

  “What if your benevolent actions put yourself at risk?”

  For a moment, Lydia almost felt as if Levi knew about more than what he had been told. “She risked her life to save me,” she reminded him.

  The half-grin fell from Levi's face. “You still feel indebted to her?” he asked quietly.

  “Very much so,” Lydia confessed.

  “Perhaps it is I who should apologize to you, then, my love,” he said, taking her chin in his hand. “You have a noble and pure heart. I will try not to let my wounded pride get in the way again. If you wish to check in on Lady Sophia, I will not stop you.”

  Oh, how she loved her husband, but his words pricked at her heart. Her eyes slid from his face. How would he react when he learned she'd been lying to him, to everyone? Would he feel such kindness then?

  “You are too good to me,” she whispered softly into the darkness.

  Before she knew it, his hands reached out and caressed her sides, wandering over the soft swell of her hips before stopping. Heat pooled in her belly at his touch.

  “Let us forgo the morning ride with the others,” he suggested as his hands once more began wandering hungrily over her body. “I have other entertainment in mind for us.”

  “I can only guess as to what.”

  Cupping her bottom in his hands, he pulled her body flush against his. “I don't suppose it will come as much of a surprise if I confess I want you desperately.”

  Lydia clasped her hands around his bulging arms, loving the hard muscles she could feel rippling beneath her palms. “Would it surprise you overmuch if I too confessed I want you with the same desperation?”

  Instead of answering, Levi dipped his head towards her and caught her mouth in a hungry kiss that she couldn't resist. The intensity with which he loved her always left her breathless.

  “Perhaps we should go to our bedchamber,” she said weakly as his lips pressed ravenously into her neck, causing her head to thrust back, giving him greater access to the silky column.

  “Perhaps you should shut up and enjoy my lovemaking.”

  “Perhaps you're right,” she breathlessly agreed, too weak from his ministrations to protest any further. It was the only time he could successfully silence her into submission, and he knew it, too.

  Samuel's head throbbed by the time he made his way down to the breakfast room. He was in no mood to partake of food, though a cup of hot coffee sounded delightful.

  He grumbled his greetings as he entered the room, barely paying any attention to those in attendance. It wasn't until he sat at the table with his steaming cup of coffee that he bothered to look around and notice several people missing amongst the faces, most notably Sophia.

  “Where is everyone?”

  Without looking up from his plate of food, his father answered, “Lady Sophia has taken ill, and the Duke and Duchess of Ludington have—”

  Samuel cut him off. “Sophia is ill?” Somehow, he didn't believe it. Suspicion furled inside of him. Something didn't feel right.

  “Unfortunately so,” Alexandra added sympathetically.

  Without further comment, Samuel pushed himself from his chair and hastened to her bedchamber, trying to ignore the pounding in his head that kept perfect rhythm with the pounding of his heart.

  He wasted no time knocking on the door as soon as he arrived at her bedchamber. When he got no response, he tried the handle and cursed when he realized it was locked. “Open up at once,” he hissed angrily, hoping Sophia would do as he bid.

  When he got no response, Samuel turned on his heal and stalked below stairs in search of Mrs. Buttersworth, the head housekeeper.

  He found the plump woman in the kitchen, discussing the dinner menu with the cook. Both of them went silent when he appeared in the doorway, his large frame filling it up entirely.

  “Milord, can I be of assistance to you?” Mrs. Buttersworth asked, her eyes rounding in surprise at his unexpected appearance below stairs.

  He signaled her to come to him with his hand, which she did, then led her to the privacy of the hall. “I need the key to Lady Sophia's guest chamber.”

  Mrs. Buttersworth hand went to the large ring of keys hanging from her waist. “Is something amiss, milord?”

  “Don't ask questions, just give me the key.”

  Though her eyes were wary, she did as he bid, knowing it was unwise to question her betters.

  With the key in hand, Samuel mumbled a quick “thank you,” before turning and leaving. He jogged the entire way back to Sophia's bedchamber where he tried knocking one last time. When he still got no response, he deftly slid the key into the lock and turned the handle, giving him full access to her chambers.

  The room was dark, the fire in the hearth completely burned out and Samuel could detect the absence of life within the walls. He rushed to the canopied bed and threw back the coverpane to reveal nothing but a pile of pillows and rumpled sheets. A quick search of the room told him Sophia was nowhere inside. He knew at once what had happened; Sophia had run away, and he was certain he knew precisely where she was heading.

  Throwing the key on the bed, Samuel exited the room in a fury as he headed to his own bedchamber to gather a few of his belongings. Though he wasn't certain exactly when Sophia had left, he knew she had at least a few hours’ time on him. He'd have to ride hard if he wanted to catch up to her.

  He managed to pack some belongings and make it to the stables before anyone else. He knew the party had planned a morning ride, so he was grateful he could make his escape undetected. He hadn't the time or the desire to explain the situation to anyone. They'd learn of their disappearance soon enough, though he hoped to be able to return Sophia safely home before anyone could worry too much.

  Mounting his stallion, Samuel kicked the horse in the flank and took off in a gallop, all the while fantasizing about how he'd punish the impudent Sophia when he found her.

  Due to the nature of scheduled activities, it wasn't until later that afternoon that anyone realized Sophia and Samuel were both missing. The small party had enjoyed a ride on the lush estate of Tisdale Manor, along with a picnic luncheon before returning to the house to find a frantic Ellen waiting for them. The diminutive woman-child looked warily at them, her face ashen.

  Lady Whitworth rushed to her side. “Ellen, what is wrong? Has something happened to Sophia? Have you sent for the doctor?”

  “Sophia's gone.”

  “What?” Lord Whitworth roared in disbelief as he came to his wife's side.

  “I went to check on her, milord, and found her bedchamber empty with no sign of her. I searched the entire house but only discovered one thing.”

  Alexandra stepped forward and asked, “What did you discover, Ellen?”

  “That Lord Coldwell is missing as well.”

  A collective gasp went up among the party. Alexandra leveled a stern look at her husband. “Do you know anything about this?” she asked Aaron.

  Aaron held his hand's up defensively before his chest. “Not a thing. How would I?
You know as well as I do that Samuel is secretive about his affairs. He'd never confide in me.”

  Alexandra nodded her head solemnly when Lydia stepped forward and asked, “How can you be certain the two are together? Perhaps Sophia was simply feeling well enough for a walk while Lord Coldwell is occupied with some other pursuit.”

  “Yes,” Lady Whitworth quipped hopefully. “Perhaps we should have the grounds searched.”

  “Nay, milady,” Ellen added nervously. “'Tis already been done. Nearly the entire staff of servants disbanded while ye were out in an attempt to find either one. The only discovery that was made is that Lord Coldwell's horse is gone, as well as one of the others.”

  Lady Whitworth's hand went to her breast as she began groaning. Fearing she was about to swoon, Lord Whitworth took her into his arms and led her to the drawing room where he sat her down on the settee. The rest of the party followed.

  “I can't believe this,” Lord Whitworth hissed. “What could those children be up to?”

  Levi surprised them all by stepping forward and making a suggestion. “Perhaps they've run away together to elope.”

  “Elope!” the entire party exclaimed in unison.

  “What a preposterous idea,” Alexandra cried out. “There would be no reason for it.”

  “Oh, wouldn't there?” Levi asked knowingly.

  Alexandra marched over to her brother and glared at him menacingly. “Levi Worthington, if you're privy to information that the rest of us are not, you best divulge it now. This is a serious matter.”

  Levi took a deep breath as he looked at the several pairs of eager eyes that were all staring at him. “I do not have any knowledge about their whereabouts or motives, all I know is that Samuel is most definitely in love with Lady Sophia.”

  It was Lydia's turn to gasp. “Levi! How can you be sure?”

  “He more or less confessed it to me of recent. I do not claim that is why they have run away, but I believe it could be their motive.”

  Lady Whitworth started breathing heavily as she fanned herself with her hand.

  “Ellen, go fetch Lady Whitworth some water,” Alexandra instructed.

  “Calm yourself, dear. It won't help our cause in the least if you faint.” Lord Whitworth gently chastised.

  “Well, what else am I supposed to do? Our only daughter is causing another scandal to befall us. And what of Reverend Balfour? He'll never agree to wed her once he learns of her latest antics.”

  “We will deal with the consequences once we know precisely what it is we are facing.”

  “Good reasoning, Lord Whitworth,” Aaron said as he handed Lady Whitworth the glass of water Ellen had just procured. “In the meantime, we will dispatch a party to search for the pair. If indeed they're set to elope, hopefully, we can catch them in time and stop it from happening.”

  Lord Whitworth nodded his head solemnly. “I will go on the search.”

  “So will I,” Levi added.

  “Very well. Let us make haste to depart. With any luck, we shall return before nightfall tomorrow with the errant pair.” Before Aaron dismissed the men to leave, he turned to Lady Whitworth and said sincerely, “If indeed my son has committed this foolish act against your family honor, I will endeavor to set it right in whatever way I can.”

  “I'm not certain it will matter whether you do or not,” Lady Whitworth moaned. “There's not much honor left to reclaim.”

  “Regardless, I will do my best to restore what honor I can, I promise you that.”

  With as much gratitude as she could muster, Lady Whitworth thanked Aaron then the women in the room watched as the men departed in haste.

  Lydia hesitated only slightly before running after Levi and following him to their bedchamber where he went to grab a few necessities for the trip.

  “Levi, you know they didn't truly elope, don't you?”

  He paused and looked candidly into her face. “Of course, though part of me wishes it were so. I haven't forgotten that both Lady Sophia and Lord Coldwell are in service to The Crown. I assume their mysterious disappearance has something to do with their duties. If I can assist them while they assist our country, it will be an honor. I just hope when they return they have a plausible story to tell their families regarding their absence.”

  “But what if they don't return?” she couldn't help asking, thinking of Sophia's plan to hideaway in Cornwall indefinitely.

  Levi breathed deeply before replying, “Then we will deal with that when the time comes, my love. Right now, I must be off.”

  Lydia nodded her head in agreement and watched as Levi departed, a knot of dread forming in the pit of her stomach. What if Samuel found Sophia before she could escape to safety? What if he forced her to return home and wed the hideous Reverend Balfour?

  The thought of her dear friend spending the rest of her days in wedded misery made Lydia physically ill. Wasn't it every woman's right to love and be loved in return in the manner with which Lydia and Levi loved each other?

  A marriage without mutual affection, passion, and trust was no marriage at all. Lydia's thoughts instantly filled her with guilt. A marriage without trust? Remorse consumed her as she thought of the lies she'd been telling Levi, of the truth she'd kept from him this past se’nnight.

  Impulsively, but with purpose, Lydia fled from the room, feeling nothing but a compelling desire to tell Levi the truth, the consequences be damned. The velvet skirt of her riding habit billowed out behind her as she dashed from the house and ran towards the stables, but it was too late. In the growing distance, she could make out the fine cut of the three men sitting atop their horses, riding like the wind.

  Lydia collapsed in a pile of velvet as she struggled to catch her breath. Tears of guilt filled her eyes as she vowed she'd tell Levi everything just as soon as she got the chance.

  Cornwall, England

  To say Sophia was exhausted would be a vast understatement. She'd ridden hard the last eight days, barely stopping for food and to rest herself and her horse. She felt a compelling desire to get as far away from her parents as fast as she could, though the constant fear that someone was following ate at her relentlessly.

  It was mid-afternoon by the time she finally rode into Cornwall. She breathed heavily of the salty sea air, feeling a measure of hope. She'd go to her Aunt Caroline's cottage by the sea at once and there find the safety she so desired.

  Tucked away on the rocky edge of a cliff was her aunt's cottage. It was small and charming and felt more like home to Sophia than did her own family's residences. Perhaps it was because with her Aunt Caroline she was truly free to be herself. There were no secrets between the pair, only open, honest communication about their endeavors, hopes, and dreams.

  Sophia slid from her horse and quickly tied the reins to a post out front. Her legs felt wobbly and sore from all the riding she'd done, and she briefly allowed herself to fantasize about soaking in a warm tub before the fire, hoping that Aunt Caroline would be kind enough to oblige.

  Anticipation thrummed through her weary limbs as she knocked on the cottage door. She wasn't entirely certain how Aunt Caroline would manage to keep her whereabouts a secret from her family, but she was positive she could do it. Her aunt was resourceful and shrewd and had an air about her that warned people from questioning her too intensely.

  Most people found Caroline, the daughter of a Viscount who'd given up all society had to offer in exchange for becoming a recluse in Cornwall, quite strange, intimidating even, but Sophia had always admired her. Not many members of the Beau Monde dared to follow their passions when it meant taking them far from the comfortable redundancy of polite society.

  Sophia's excitement slowly turned to worry when her knocking elicited no response. She tried to squash the disappointment that Aunt Caroline was not in Cornwall from her breast before it could take root, knowing she could still find information about her whereabouts down at the docks.

  With reluctance, Sophia walked back to her horse and looked at t
he animal hesitantly. Her aching buttocks rebelled against the thought of saddling him again, but she knew it had to be done. Ignoring her body's protests, she hoisted herself into the saddle and took off in a gallop along the coast of Cornwall towards the docks.

  The loud cawing of seagulls increased as Sophia approached the docks, where several ships were in port. She groaned in pain as she dismounted and tied her horse up. Glancing at the various ships, she scanned each vessel until her eyes, with relief, settled on The Tempest. She knew it was quite the blessing to find the frigate in port, for she knew well that Captain Conrad Wallace was more often than not at sea.

  With a renewed skip in her step, she hurried along the docks, trying to ignore the pesky seagulls ahead as she had one purpose in mind. Thankfully, as she approached The Tempest, she found several seamen scurrying about, seeing to their duties.

  She drew close to one and asked, “Is Captain Wallace aboard?” in a low voice, hoping she'd easily pass as a boy.

  The seaman briefly stopped what he was doing to glance at her with a hint of annoyance. “We docked over an hour ago. He took his leave already.”

  Sophia's shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Do you know where he went?”

  “Am I my captain's keeper? Nay. What he does on shore leave is up to him. Ain't no business of mine.”

  Feeling frustrated by the seaman's lack of help, Sophia turned and began storming off down the dock, not caring whether she appeared rude or not. She had to find Captain Wallace and see if he knew about Aunt Caroline's whereabouts.

  She let her mind drift back to her time aboard The Tempest. It had been the most magical summer of her life, being rid of her mother's constant chaperoning and society's expectations to come to Cornwall and gallivant around the coastal town with her Aunt Caroline. She'd expected nothing more than a carefree summer spent with her favorite relation but had found herself delightfully surprised when Aunt Caroline had taken her into her confidences and confessed her work as a spy.