He crossed his arms, smiling. “Really? You’re going to be a woman of the cloth?” He laughed. “Perhaps I’ll stick around long enough to see that.”
“You think I would lie about my future situation? I would never do such a thing.” And as for explaining what her father looked like, she was loath to admit he’d described him perfectly, maybe even a little too perfectly. “You speak about my father as if you’ve seen a painting and are copying it from memory. Now we’ll just wait and see if he remembers you or if you, Lord Grandison, are the liar.”
May marched back toward the estate and left the earl-turned-sailor standing on the beach. The distance that opened up between them did little to relieve the blasted nerves assailing her every time she looked at him. Or the fact she could feel his gaze marking her back like a scorching flame. She fought her body’s ridiculous reactions to the man and turned her mind to how much he’d annoyed her. How dare he say she was inconsiderate? There was nothing wrong with her. She was one of the nicest people she knew. Even if she had to say so herself.
* * *
Will watched Viscount Levinstone’s daughter storm toward the manor house. It reminded him of a ruffled peacock, similar to the birds on his estate when, as children, he ran after them, teasing relentlessly.
She didn’t turn back and he followed the little minx. To become a nun as she’d stated she’d want to work on her manners. He doubted the good nuns who devoted themselves to God would take kindly to a fellow member of the church who looked down on strangers as unwanted and untrustworthy people without even knowing a thing about them. Not to mention failing to introduce herself.
Not that he was always so trustworthy. His family would state he was anything but. A chilling wind pierced his shirt and Will shivered. As the head of the family, he supposed they had little choice. Unfortunately his hasty departure following the announcement in his father’s will of his arranged betrothal to a woman he did not care for or love, did nothing to endear him to his mother or siblings.
He would be lucky if they ever spoke to him again. Will sighed. He’d not meant to embarrass his betrothed Mary, but they were ill-suited and their marriage would never have worked. That she felt the same as he, and had in fact since married the man she was in love with, didn’t sway his family’s disgust at his actions. They still refused to see sense and had merely lifted their already lofty noses in the air whenever he returned home. William had sought refuge in London, and had thrown himself into politics, which eventually led him into the position he now held. He’d always loved the ocean, and having accompanied one raid on a smuggling ring in Kent, his life finally had purpose.
Each time he stepped onto the wooden deck of a ship, smelt the salt in the air, and the taste of adventure to come, he’d never felt more at home, more at ease. The tide had turned in his favor, his course had been set and he hadn’t looked back.
Of course, he’d continued to look after his estates from afar, the guilt of disappointing his family irked, but he refused to fail his tenants and farmers. It wasn’t in his nature to be looked upon as untrustworthy and flippant. He was neither and hearing the little minx before him state as much sat ill in his gut. He would have to change her mind about what she thought of him…
The idea of such a challenge sent a thrill through his blood. The future nun would be an enjoyable distraction while he waited for his ship to return after undergoing repairs in London, and would also help pass the time until he was due to leave. He’d never met a woman so strong-willed, determined and fearless. And perhaps it was this independent will that made her more attractive to him than any other he’d ever met. May Stanford was certainly no demure, biddable miss who would bore him to death.
Will smiled. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a house more enjoyably situated. I would never wish to leave if I owned such a view. There is nothing better than the ocean, with its vastness and endless opportunities.”
She looked back at him, and he read the wistfulness that darkened her eyes to a color he’d only seen in the deepest oceans, a blue so dark it was almost green. “I would have loved to travel the seas. But alas, as an unmarried female it isn’t an option for me, no matter how much I may wish it.” She pushed a lock of dark hair that fluttered against her cheek away and his fingers flexed as if it was he who had placed it back behind her ear. “I will have to content myself with my imagination, I’m afraid.”
“There is nothing wrong with fantasizing.” He grinned as her cheeks reddened into a pretty rose color. “I could always tell you a few tales that will satisfy your lust for adventure and will keep you warm on the cold nights in your convent cell, or should I say bed.”
A disgusted huff released from between her quite full, delectable-looking lips—the one body part he’d noticed first after meeting her. They were supple and as red as the bloodiest rose. Will shook away the imagery that taunted him as to what she could do with such a pretty mouth.
That this future nun was beautiful, fiery and of his class could not go unnoticed or ignored. She may not like him very much now, but he could or would change that fact. He didn’t like people thinking ill of him unless of course they had good reason to.
“I’ll keep to my own imaginings if you don’t mind, my lord. I don’t need any fables from you.”
Will cleared his throat, fighting not to laugh at her disgusted, most definitely insulted tone. “Well, if you change your mind, you only need to ask.”
She shook her head and started for the house again. Will fought the grin on his lips and lost. They entered the Tudor-style manor through the double, weather-worn front doors, the grey timber aged by salt and coastal winds. The foyer was large with a sweeping staircase up to the first floor landing. Walls were decorated with tapestries; armory and old oak furniture complimented the medieval feel of the home.
“This way,” his lady companion said walking toward another front room Will thought may be the library. Instead, he entered a parlor that housed two settees and a large fireplace that dominated the quaint space. A small boy sat before the marble hearth playing knuckles and Viscount Levinstone sat watching, a proud, contented look across his face.
“Papa, we have a visitor.” She stated, her eyebrows raised and looking at him as if he were a liar. “Do you know this gentleman?”
“William!” Viscount Levinstone shouted, jumping up from his chair. “Welcome! I’m so pleased you’re able to join us. I know your pursuits on and off our great land keep you busy.”
Will bowed. “I was honored to receive your missive, Lord Levinstone. Father often spoke fondly of his time here as a young man.”
A chuckle ensued from his lordship reminding Will that his father and the gentleman before him had in fact been the typical Bond Street beaus with many a Banbury tale to share. The stories he’d heard put his days at Cambridge to shame.
“You know this man, Papa?” May asked, incredulous.
He grinned at his foe and reveled at the glare he received in return.
“Of course, my dear. This is Lord William, the Earl of Grandison.” His lordship smiled. “This is my daughter, May. I hope she has not been giving you a hard time of it.” His lordship looked out the window toward the front drive. “As I heard no carriage arrive I assume you came via the sea?”
Will nodded. “I did, my lord. I fear I may have frightened your daughter into believing I was a ruffian or pirate about to plunder her home, especially as I’m not dressed properly to be received. I do apologize for my dishevelment. My bags are stowed in the small raft on the beach.”
“Well, it would have certainly livened things up a bit had you been a pirate.” His lordship walked over to his daughter and took her hand. “I promise you, my dear, Lord William is quite respectful and a very honorable gentleman. You have nothing to fear from him.” His lordship turned his attention onto him. “I will send a servant down directly to pick up your things.”
Will’s gaze locked with May’s. Such a sweet name that seemed at odds with the woman’s tempe
rament. Her eyes narrowed and his amusement over her dislike of him only increased his interest.
He smiled. Something told him he was going to enjoy the next few weeks and Christmas at the Viscount Levinstone’s home. Enjoy it very much.
Chapter Two
For what felt like the hundredth time, May sat up and punched her pillow into something that resembled comfort. She flopped down on the cotton sheets that usually lulled her to sleep within moments, but tonight nothing seemed to be working.
“Blast it.” She pushed off the blankets, grabbed her robe that lay at the end of her bed and headed for the door. The corridor was dark with only the smallest amount of moonlight lighting her way along the passage. Having lived here her entire life at least made the walk to the library downstairs an easy feat.
She jumped down the last step and headed for her father’s sanctuary. Just inside the door a small lamp sat, its wick burning low, the servants not having yet completed their final check of the house before bed. May picked it up and strolled to the bookcase where her father kept her mother’s favorite poems. She studied the authors’ names for a moment, her mind at war with itself over what literature she was in the mood for. Love and romance, or misery and tempest…
“And so we meet again.”
She gasped, twisting about, her heart beating a million times faster than it ought. “What are you doing down here? It’s after midnight.”
As soon as the words left her lips, she cringed. After midnight was probably nothing to this earl-turned-pirate-turned-captain-turned-nuisance. Not that he was a pirate, but May had no doubts some of his business dealings were anything but above water. Figuratively speaking.
He lifted the book he held in his hand and waved it at her. “Reading. What do you think I was doing?”
What did she think he was doing? All kinds of thoughts bombarded her mind, and none of them appropriate for a lady. He was here alone, and by the looks of his empty glass, probably foxed as well. Men of his ilk always held assignation’s with women in darkened libraries, didn’t’ they? May pushed aside the thought that she was the only women in the house beside the servants.
His grin caught her full attention and she couldn’t seem to shift her gaze from his lips. Her heart beat accelerated to an absurd crescendo and she frowned. “That, I would prefer not to answer, my lord.” She looked back at the bookshelf and took a calming breath. With every word he spoke he seemed to be saying something other than what he meant. Vexing man.
She clasped a book she was neither interested in or knew much about. A creak sounded behind her followed by a thump. May swung about and immediately took a step back as Lord William stood before her, a towering lump of muscle and masculinity.
He reached for a book beside her head, his arm grazing against her shoulder and sending a delicious shivers to flutter in her stomach. May tried to ignore her reaction to him, and failed miserably. The scent of the sea mixed with soap emanated from him. William smelt clean, fresh and utterly forbidden to her. In only a few weeks, she would start her training as a nun. Her mind truly needed sanity right at this moment, certainly not impurity.
She swallowed, burying her reactions. She would be a simpleton indeed if she didn’t react to a man in such a way. Women were, after all, made to join with them, marry and have children with the opposite sex. Just from this moment on, she would have to cure herself of such an infliction. A life with the church was only a few weeks away, she reminded herself. “Oh, umm…” she stuttered at her own musings. This man had trouble written all over him.
He grinned down at her, his azure eyes sparkling with mirth, as if privy to her most inappropriate thoughts and reactions to him. “I think you’ll find these books most interesting, and although not what you’d normally look at, it may bore you enough that you’ll sleep well.”
May clasped the book without looking at the cover and pushed past the overbearing earl. She strode from the room without a backward glance and headed for her bedroom taking the stairs two at a time before making the sanctuary of her suite. After shutting the door, she snipped the lock and leaned against the wood. Her eyes widened as she gazed at the books she clasped tightly against her chest. What had he given her?
Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure and some book that housed erotic engravings. Her father would kill her if he knew she had these in her room. May threw them onto the floor and crossed herself with the sign of the lord. Lord Grandison was a villain and possibly out to ruin her future as a nun. For God help her, staring at the books that lay on her Aubusson rug, she’d dearly love to read through them. Her fingers itched to turn the pages, and see what she would forever be missing. Were the memoirs true? Was what was in the book possible between a man and woman?
She sighed and picked the books up with the notion she didn’t want the maid to find them in the morning. Jumping into bed, she settled herself under the covers and opened the book of engravings. Her breath hitched and she bit her lip as a shiver slid down her spine. “Oh my.” Never had she seen any drawings like these ones before. In fact, she hadn’t even known her father had such books in his library.
May crossed her legs as warmth spread through her core. She studied the engravings which encompassed a couple in various positions during what she assumed to be the act of love making. She flicked through the book. Page after page revealed legs entwined, discarded gowns, and pants that were askew. She swallowed, heat blooming on her face. She had never imagined such things were even possible between two people. And yet it was the ecstasy on their visages that caught her attention the most. They were thoroughly enjoying what they were doing together.
She shut the book with a snap and getting out of bed, grabbed the second book and stashed them at the bottom of one of her drawers under shifts and gloves. The last thing she needed was her maid to find these kind of books in her room. The thought of the gentleman brought a rush of annoyance at his presumption not to mention gumption at giving her such items to read. Right now, he was probably laughing at her in his room knowing very well what she was looking at.
Well, two could play at his game. She was anything but a woman to push over as his lordship the pirate captain would soon find out.
The next morning May sat at the breakfast table and nibbled on some toasted bread. An early riser, she ate alone, her father and brother still abed. Not that she expected to see them until luncheon, her father preferring to eat breakfast in his room since her mother’s passing five years ago.
The door opened and the pirate captain himself strolled in with an air of authority. May felt her eyes widen and cursed her foolery. He was just a man. Annoying and too smart for his own good. She raised her brow and gave him the most severe stare she could muster. His resounding chuckle only strengthened her resolve to teach this man, who seemed to take up all the air in the room, a lesson he’d not soon forget. “Up and about already, Lord Grandison. I thought gentlemen of your ilk sleep most of the day away, only to create a ruckus all night. You’ll confuse the servants if you keep up this regime.”
He stood at the sideboard and poured himself a mug of coffee. “I should imagine if they find the books I gave you last night in your room, you’ll cause a greater stir then any I ever could.” He turned and smiled before taking a sip. “Have you looked at them yet?”
She refused to blush and silently thanked God when she didn’t. “I did flick through the engravings.” She took a sip of tea and fortified herself to play just as well as he at this teasing game. “Some of the positions looked a little fanciful to me. Do you think they’re really possible?”
He sputtered and placed his coffee mug down with a clatter. May inwardly grinned. She met his gaze and held it. “All of them would be possible. Do not doubt it, my lady.”
“I give you leave to call me May since you know my family so well. And since you feel that such literature is appropriate for me to read, I’m assuming you wouldn’t mind if I called you William? Since we’re such close friends after just one day.” Ma
y stated, her voice as sweet and innocent as she could muster.
He coughed but nodded. “Of course.”
“There was one position I’m most interested in and would like your opinion of it, if you wouldn’t mind? Perhaps this morning you could explain it to me, if you have time.” William pulled at his cravat, his ratty attire of yesterday seemingly a thing of the past. Today he was dressed to the epitome of what a gentleman should look like. Pressed beige pantaloons and starched white shirt with accompanying cravat were finished to perfection with a dark blue claw-hammer coat.
A pang of disappointment assailed her over his abundant attire this morning. She’d enjoyed seeing him yesterday, or namely his ratty barely-there shirt that showed off his muscular frame. With any luck, her forwardness and determination to make him squirm after giving her such books would make the muscles beneath all that cotton and wool quiver and flex.
“I’m not sure if that would be appropriate. I should apologize for giving you such literature to read.” He buttered a heated roll but wouldn’t meet her gaze. “It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry.”
May inwardly laughed. “Well, well, well, aren’t we full of remorse today. How can you think such books would make me uncomfortable, especially knowing I’m going to be a nun very soon?” Sarcasm dripped from her every word and she was glad to see William shift uncomfortably on his chair.
He looked at her and pursed his lips. Her gaze locked on them yet again, and she noted the lovely shape as he licked a droplet of coffee from the corner of his mouth. Not too thin or puffy, but just nice and what all lips should look like if she was going to be a lip connoisseur. “May?”
“Pardon?” She shook herself from her musings. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“You may bring the book into the billiards room before luncheon. We’ll go through it then.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. Without his usually teasing grin, William stood and left the room. May followed his every step until the door shut quietly behind him. She stared at the door a moment. Had she just walked into a trap and one of her own making?
A Lady’s Christmas Rake Page 8
