An Earl For Hire

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  "That your heart would become entangled as well?" Miri snuggled more deeply into his arms. "I did not anticipate this either, Will, and I am sorry. Truly."

  He pulled her closer. "I am not sorry, though. I cannot be. For without that night in the library, I might never have really spoken to you. I would have missed out on the magnificent woman that you are. And that would truly be a pity."

  "So what do we do?" she asked quietly, her emotions wrung raw. "My family, or at least Sarah, believes you are using me. She also suspects that, whatever we feel now between us aside, that we likely began this arrangement to stop them from hounding me about marriage and to prevent a scandal if anyone were to discover that I was the reason Lady Pearl and I were expelled from Mrs. Witherson's."

  "You?" Will was taken aback for a moment. "I thought Lady Pearl..."

  "That is the story we concocted for Society." Miri allowed Will to lead her to another, larger chair that she had not noticed before. It was tucked under a small roof and looked far more comfortable than the one she had been sitting in earlier. He settled himself in the chair and then pulled her into his lap, snuggling her close to him. Even though the day was warm and sunny, she eagerly burrowed into his body's welcoming heat. Miri needed this. She needed him.

  Once they were settled, Will nudged her shoulder with his chin. "Go on. I wish to know exactly what sort of hoyden I am getting involved with." Though he said those words with a smile and she knew he wasn't truly upset.

  "One night, the school hosted a dance to introduce those of us who were new at the school to the local gentry. Though we had dancing masters, Mrs. Witherson usually hosted country dances several times a year to train us how to "mingle" with young men. That included mingling with her son, Randall. He is distantly related to the peerage and always desired a way into the upper reaches."

  "And he thought you would be an easy mark because of your leg." It did not take much imagination on Will's part to discern that much.

  "He did," Miri agreed with a little bit of mirth in her voice now that she knew Will would not leave her. "And when he attempted to grope me and insisted that I lie with him, I hit him. Hard. I also told him that if he touched me again, I would separate him from his manhood. Pearl happened upon us not too long after, and she was afraid that I would be cast out of Society if anyone knew the truth of what I had done."

  Will nodded, doing his best not to laugh at what exactly Miri likely had in mind for the lecher. "Better her to be viewed as the culprit, with her already questionable reputation, and to be held responsible, I suppose."

  "Exactly," Miri replied. "And Randall was so embarrassed that he has kept his silence."

  "But he's sniffing around again?" If the wretch were, Will would gladly make certain he never bothered Miri or any other young woman again. Pistols at dawn ought to solve things nicely.

  Miri shuddered in Will's arms. "Not yet, but he likely will. Rumor has it that he has left Lower Puddington for London in search of a bride, most likely me. If he thinks he can use the past as leverage against me to further his goals, I have no doubt that he is evil enough to do so."

  Feeling suddenly extremely protective of the diminutive woman in his arms, Will pulled Miri closer. "I will not allow him to harm you, love."

  "I know." She rested her hand on his chest, thankful for the steady beat of his heart. "And that is just one more reason why I love you." She chuckled. "I was so afraid of saying just those words earlier and now? I have said them twice rather quickly."

  Will's head was still reeling a bit from the revelation that Miri loved him, but he was quick to reassure her that he felt the same. "So I will say it again, as well. I love you, Miri. And while your wealth shocks me to a degree, it changes nothing. I loved you when I thought you were using your dowry to pay me to bed you and I love you now." He nuzzled her hair. "And I do understand your reasons for not revealing the truth. Though I am glad you finally confessed." He kissed the shell of her ear. "I will also state that I wish I had something more of myself to reveal to you, but alas, I do not. You know all of my sins, Miri. There is no part of me that you do not know."

  At that, she reached between them to cup him through his breeches and suddenly, she seemed more like her old self once again. "But there is a part of you that I would like to know again, Will. As soon as possible, actually."

  "Here?" She was brazen, his Miri, but then that was what Will loved about her.

  "Yes. Here." Slowly, she uncoiled herself from his lap and then stretched like a cat before dropping to her knees.

  Will reached out to stop her. "Miri. No. You'll dirty your dress. Everyone will know what we have been up to."

  She grinned up at him as she settled herself at his feet and reached for the placket on his breeches. "My gowns are forever getting dirty when I am up here, Will. It is part of the reason why I began wearing breeches in the first place. The staff will think nothing of it."

  "Even though they know I am up here with you?" Somehow, Will found that rather difficult to believe but when Miri flicked open his buttons and his erect cock sprang free, he found that he was beginning to care quite a bit less about that than he had only a moment ago.

  "Like my brother, idiot that he is, the staff here does not think me capable of something so wicked. In their eyes, I am too pure, even though they have done precisely this same thing when they think we are not looking. Repeatedly. When you are lame, Will, everyone thinks you stupid as well."

  "You are far from stupid, Miri." He knew that well enough by now.

  Miri shrugged, unconcerned now, which surprised him. "Sarah might suspect what we are about, for she is a woman and I know for certain she was with Rayne long before they wed, though after our disagreement earlier, I doubt she will say anything to me just yet. She is too afraid that I will speak to my brother before she can."

  "So how do you propose that we convince your family to allow...oh, that is wonderful!" Will hissed as Miri's lips closed around his engorged cock. "Oh, yes."

  Miri pulled back for a moment. "Let me worry about my family. Rayne is still reasonable and will listen to me if I speak to him rationally. I realize that now," she all but purred. "But enough of that, for I woke up this morning full of need and you nowhere to be found. I refuse to allow Sarah to steal my joy in my discovery that I am truly a woman in love. Something that I never dreamed I would ever be." She licked her lips. "I would also add that simply being near you makes me want you again, proving that I have become a wanton because of you."

  Will eyed her hopefully. "I do not hear you objecting."

  "I'm not. In fact, I'm rather enjoying myself. I like this new version of myself quite well, actually." Miri smiled up at him and he could see the humor he loved so well dancing in her eyes once more. "Now, for the moment, please do what you demanded I do the other evening. Simply sit back and enjoy."

  Then her lips were on his erection again and Will found that he was not capable of rational thought. He had taught her how to suck his cock the other night, and he was certain she had enjoyed herself, though he had not expected her to be such a quick study. For now she was lapping at him as if she had been doing so all of her life. A part of him felt horrible for teaching her such naughty lessons, but the majority of him was enjoying himself far too much to really worry.

  Though Miri was far from the most skilled woman he had ever had in such a position, she was extremely enthusiastic about her task and within moments, Will knew he was close to spilling himself. He should do the right, if not most respectful, thing and allow himself to spill in her mouth. However that was something a whore would do and Miri was not the whore here. He was. His other option was to come inside of her, which risked pregnancy. Though if she was to be believed, getting her with child wasn't even possible. Decision made, Will reached down and yanked Miri to her feet, his cock still throbbing painfully.

  "Will what are you..." Miri began to protest as he hauled her to her feet before settling her firmly over his lap, her body poise
d over his erection. "Oh."

  "I need to fuck you, Miri," he ground out as he thrust up hard, impaling her on his shaft. She was probably still sore and he knew he should be a bit more gentle, but the sight of her delicate mouth wrapped around his member had nearly driven him mad with desire. "Now."

  Will thought Miri might protest but instead, she simply smiled at him and when he thrust again, she ground her hips down, creating the most powerful sensation he had ever experienced while buried deep inside a woman. "Move, Will," she whispered as she leaned forward to nip at his chin. "For I need this just as much as you do."

  That was not at all what he expected her to say, but her words fired his blood so much that he began thrusting wildly inside of her. It took an enormous amount of self-control for him to slow his pace and find one that they both enjoyed.

  With Miri straddling him, her legs splayed wide over his lap and her back arched forward as she offered him her ripe, delectable breasts, they must have made a deeply erotic picture but Will did not care. He needed this release. More than that, he needed her. He needed all of Miri that she was willing to give, for when he was with her, he felt as if he was worth something. In her eyes, he had value. He wasn't just an earl for hire but rather a man in love with a woman who loved him back. In her eyes, he was more than just his body.

  "Oh, yes, Will!" Miri cried as he increased his pace, her breasts bouncing so hard that they had come out of her gown. "More! Please!"

  "As you like!" he somehow managed to gasp out before he was moving so fast that he knew he would not last much longer. He had just enough time to seize her lips in a rough, tongue-tangling kiss before he felt her tighten around him with her release and he jumped off the cliff after her, once more spilling inside of her, heedless of any consequences.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Town Tattler

  It has been over a fortnight now since the bizarre courtship between Lady Miri Bexley and the Earl of Blackthorne began. I think I can safely reassure all that she is not paying him for favors because there is no amount of coin in all of England to keep such a mismatched pair together - unless it is the currency of true love. Believe what you like or what you see. I care not. All I can do is report upon what I see and what I see, at least from a distance, is a couple very much enamored of each other.

  As for the earl's sister, Lady Anna Davenport, well, she is still turning quite a few heads and, in addition to being named the recipient of this season's Letter, she has just been named an "Incomparable" by the Patronesses. Or if not by them precisely, then by those in the press they control. I, your humble scribe, am not one of those, but I do know which way the wind blows, and I can say for certain that there is more to the lovely Lady Anna than meets the eye. I also feel quite certain that she will not be available on the Marriage Mart next Season.

  As for the other jewels of the current Season? Well, much remains to be seen where they are concerned, I think. Some, like Lady Pearl, are truly enigmas and bear watching closely. Others, like Lady Charlotte Cleary need to simply grow a spine and get on about their business - no matter who their fathers might happen to be. Love waits for no man - or woman.

  -Lady A

  "Are you in love with her? Truly?" Will was seated at his desk, one of the few pieces of furniture that remained from his grandfather's era, going over the accounting ledgers when Anna appeared in the doorway.

  Removing his spectacles, he waved his sister inside. "Do not skulk. And yes, I love her."

  "I am not skulking. Ladies do not skulk." Sniffing, Anna swept into his study and Will was pleased to see that she was wearing one of the new day dresses she had commissioned that seemingly long-ago day at Madame LaVallier's when she had first received The Letter. This one, a pretty blue thing, made his sister all but glow and something in the vicinity of his heart loosened. Perhaps she would be well after all.

  "You appear to be skulking." It had been rather a long time since he had teased her. Perhaps too long. The lack of funds had affected every corner of their lives, it seemed.

  "Perhaps I am. Perhaps I have learned a thing or two from my big brother as of late. Including how to be happy." Anna stopped in front of her brother's desk and a smile softened her face. "And I am happy for you, Will. You don't know how much. She makes you smile and laugh and tease again. I have missed that about you." She traced imaginary circles on the desk with the tip of her finger, as if choosing her next words carefully. "Does she know, though? About what you were going to do at her brother's ball, I mean? If she does not, I think you should tell her. Secrets destroy if you allow them."

  Leaning back in his chair, Will regarded his sister wearily. She was so much older than she should be at her age - a product of her impoverished upbringing. The weariness and caution in her eyes made her appear as if she was in her fourth or fifth decade, no matter that her complexion was still dewy and fresh. There was also an air of tiredness that surrounded her, though, as of late, she did not seem quite as weary as she once had. He was glad of that. Then again, money solved a variety of ills.

  "She does," Will nodded, meeting his sister's worried gaze.

  "And she cares for you anyway?" Anna picked up a Malachite pyramid, a gift from his old friend Lord Beau McCandless, the Marquess of Kingsford, that Will used as a paperweight. Slowly she shifted the precious object back and forth in her hands.

  Will chuckled, not surprised that Anna questioned Miri's intentions. After all, brothers, in Anna's opinion anyway, were not supposed to fall in love. "Odd that, but she does, yes." He rubbed at his eyes. "She says that she loves me and I believe her. Just as much as I love her."

  Anna seemed to accept that easily enough. "Does she come with a dowry?" When Will raised his eyebrows in disbelief, she shrugged. "It is a fact of life, Will. A few weeks ago you were beside yourself over my lack of one if you'll recall."

  "Things have changed, and yes, I suspect that Miri has a dowry, though we are far from speaking of marriage yet." Well, maybe not all that far, at least not if Will had anything to say about the matter.

  Once more, his sister seemed to mull over his words before the humor returned to her eyes once more. "Very well. As I said, I am happy for you, Will. All I ever wanted was for you to find someone to love you. Someone who deserves you."

  "Given the way you are speaking, is there something I should know?" Will hated the idea of Anna doing the very same thing he had just been contemplating doing with Miri, but he wondered if she might be. Anna was up to something and from what Will knew, none of her legion of beaux was particularly serious as of yet. This morning alone there had been five flower deliveries, two gifts of chocolates that he had allowed her to accept and one diamond bracelet that he had forced her to send back.

  "I have suitors." Anna didn't seem quite as happy about that as he would have expected. "Many of them. More than I had anticipated, actually. I wasn't prepared for that many men to take an interest in me."

  "An excess of funds does that to a lady," Will replied, leaning back in his chair. Physically Anna looked much as she had only a week ago, but there was still something different about her. He prayed that she had not begun down the same path he and Miri had with one of her suitors.

  Anna humpfed and fluffed her skirts. "So do revealing gowns. I think that if it were up to Madame LaVallier, I would all but prance around naked!"

  "Surely it is not that bad?" He couldn't believe the respected modiste would go quite that far.

  "Bad enough," Anna sighed. "But I don't mind, really. I have Lady Isabelle for guidance. She is three and thirty and well-versed in these sorts of matters I am told."

  Suddenly, Will felt a little sick. Was there something Anna was not telling him? He needed to know - now. "I know I have not been all that attentive, leaving you in the care of the Gray Ladies, even though I know that is how these things are done with the recipient of The Letter. I apologize for that, but I also want you to know that if something is amiss, you can confide in me, Annie. I am the last one to
cast stones on any matter, though I hope and pray that you have made better choices than I. So is there something you need to tell me?"

  She shook her head. "There is nothing to tell. Not yet, anyway, though rest assured that I have been careful and circumspect in my actions. It's still too early to speak of anything more, I think. And there are...complications?"

  Will glowered at his sister. "You are not speaking of Winthrop again are you?"

  "That nasty old marquess?" Anna scoffed. "Absolutely not! No, I am merely taking my time in choosing what is the best course for me." She grinned as she replaced the paperweight on the desk. "That is the thing about having money or at least appearing to have it. It gives one a vast array of choices."

  "Is there one choice in particular that you are fond of as of late?" Will had seen his sister's name linked to the names of at least five members of the peerage. He could only hazard a guess as to which one she was the most infatuated with.

  Anna blew out a slow breath and looked at the ceiling. "There are two, and that is the problem. Each of them is wonderful in his own way and honestly? I am not certain which is the right choice."

  "The right man will wait," Will informed her. "You know this."

  "Yes, but can I?" Anna asked softly. "That letter is only good for one Season, Will. When it is gone, so are my options. I choose now or not at all."

  Will wanted to tell his sister that she wasn't out of options, that he knew why she had been chosen and that if she needed more funds, then Aunt Beanie's trust would likely provide them. But he didn't know that for certain. He didn't even know how much money Miri had - other than "a fortune" of course - or if she would share it with Anna if it became necessary. There was still so much he didn't know and couldn't share with his sister. However, he felt as if he needed to give her some reassurance.