Earl of Exile

by Tammy Andresen

  She burrowed in deeper to him. “We do.” Then she let out a sigh. “But even if this was just tonight. It was perfect, Callum. Thank you.”

  He didn’t respond as he looked over at her. Did that mean something? Surely, she was just saying thanks. But he wrapped her tighter in his arms. Somehow, he had that unsettled feeling that something was about to go wrong.

  Diana woke the next morning in bed alone. She sat up, pulling the covers about her, as she nibbled her lip. Where was Callum? Searching about, she noticed a slip of paper on her pillow.

  * * *

  Diana,

  * * *

  I’ll see you at half past three. I’ve sent a formal invitation to your parents. Don’t be late, my love.

  * * *

  Callum

  * * *

  She read the note again. Why did he leave? Why didn’t he tell her why he’d left? Then she remembered. She was at the duke’s home. He likely hadn’t wanted to get caught. But then why not wake her?

  She climbed from the bed and slipped her chemise back on, ringing for a bath. She tried not to let her thoughts run away with her.

  She’d only expected one night. Granted, he had proposed, but she was not going to start doing that girly thing where she second-guessed every decision she’d made.

  Still, as she soaked in the tub, doubts plagued her.

  What if he’d changed his mind about the marriage? What if he’d lied about his intentions all together? Charles had.

  But then she forced herself to stop.

  Whatever else she knew, Callum had real feelings for her. He’d saved her from a bullet, for pity’s sake.

  She drew in a deep breath. It was time to stop hiding. That wasn’t who she was. Funny, she’d never realized that she used her own strength as a shield.

  Climbing from the bath, she dressed and made her way downstairs to breakfast.

  Minnie sat at the table alone. “What are you doing here?” she asked, sliding into the seat next to her cousin. “Married women dine in bed.”

  “Not today they don’t.” Minnie looked out the window, her eyes puffy. “I couldn’t be in my room any longer.”

  “Minnie.” She reached for her cousin’s hand.

  Minnie clasped Diana’s fingers. “I know Harry isn’t his and if he were, I’d take the boy in. It’s the secret that hurts.”

  Diana nodded. “I understand. But try to see it from his perspective. If he was fairly certain that Harry wasn’t his, why upset you?”

  “Is that how we’re viewing it?” Emily asked as she walked in and sat next to her sister. Then she dropped her head in her hands. “I’ve made a terrible mistake marrying Jack, haven’t I?”

  Diana drew in a breath. “I don’t think so.”

  Emily lifted her head. “Truly? You’ve witnessed the last month, haven’t you?”

  Diana reached her other hand out to Emily. “He loves you and you love him.”

  Emily shook her head. “I was so wanton. Allowing him liberties. That caused our elopement, aided this mess with Lady Abernath. Exposed secrets and lies…”

  Diana’s mouth twisted. What if she had just made the same mistake by letting her desire for Exile cloud her judgment? “We are all weak sometimes.”

  “Not you,” Minnie shook her head. “Diana, you are our rock.”

  Her insides quaked. “I shouldn’t be. I’ve been wanton too. And not with a man who intended to marry me.”

  Emily sucked in her breath. “Exile?”

  Diana shook her head, her chin tucking into her chest as her hands shook. “No. Before that.”

  “Wait,” Minnie asked. “Before what?”

  A flush of heat rose up Diana’s face. “Never mind.” She wasn’t sure she could bear the shame.

  Emily began rhythmically patting her hand. “What happened, Diana?”

  She swallowed down the lump that had clogged her throat. “I gave my maidenhood to Charles.”

  “Oh, Diana,” Minnie moaned softly. “You poor thing.”

  Emily wrapped her arms about her. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell us? You must have been so frightened.”

  A silly tear threatened to run down her cheek. “You had your own worries and I…I was ashamed. I thought it made me less of a person.”

  “It doesn’t,” Emily insisted. “Don’t ever think that.”

  Diana nodded. “Can I just say that Jack and Tag’s mistakes don’t make them less either.”

  Emily let go of her neck while Minnie squeezed her fingers all the harder. “I know you’re right. But I’m still angry.”

  Emily dipped her chin. “I’m not certain in my case you are correct. I’ve caught Jack in a few lies now and—”

  Diana held up her hand. “All the lies begin with his relationship with Lady Abernath and it’s because he’s ashamed. Trust me. It’s something I understand.”

  “What about the club? He lied about that?” Emily sat straighter.

  Diana patted her sister’s hand. “Because Lady Abernath left him with a monstrous debt that he was trying to repay to marry you.”

  Emily chewed her lip. “Even if you’re right, he should spend some time thinking about what he’s done.”

  Diana looked at Minnie, who was smiling softly too. “Make sure he grovels when you do forgive him.”

  “Same to you,” Emily whispered as Daring appeared in the door. His face was ashen and his hair a mess.

  Minnie stood. “I’m still angry.”

  “I know.” His eyes travelled to Diana. “But I am hoping we can make amends before half past three today?”

  Minnie crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s being rather specific.”

  Diana’s heart jumped in her chest. “He invited you.”

  “What?” Emily asked. “What did he invite whom to?”

  Daring lifted a piece of paper he was holding in his hand. “Exile is proposing to Diana today and we’re all invited.”

  He hadn’t been lying after all. Her eyes drifted closed. Half past three could not arrive soon enough.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Exile looked at the clock for the fourth time in the past two minutes. It was still half past three. Why hadn’t they arrived yet?

  Then he shook his head. Because they’d arrive fashionably late and not on time.

  He stood then, intent upon doing something to pass the time when the butler appeared in the doorway. “My lord, a lady is here to see you.”

  Diana. “Send her in,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back. He’d left in the wee hours of the morning, not wanting to be caught. But he’d missed her all day.

  The door creaked as it opened wider and Exile spun about. Diana did not stand in the door and for a moment, his brow crinkled in confusion. A red-haired woman stood in front of him, her brown eyes wide and her lip trembled as she stared back. “Lord Exmouth?”

  “Yes?” he answered, not sure what to do.

  “Pleased to meet ye,” she gave a quick curtsey.

  He bowed. “And ye as well. May I ask who ye are, precisely.”

  She worked her fingers along the edge of her satchel. “I’ve waited a verra long time to meet ye, ye see, and now that I am here, I am not quite sure what to say.”

  His insides began to twist into knots as dread made his limbs heavy. “Yer name?”

  She shook her head. “I’m three and twenty now. All my friends have married.”

  The butler appeared behind her. “My lord, I’ve shown your other guests to the sitting room just down the hall.”

  “Other guests?” the woman asked. “Are ye having a party?”

  “Not precisely,” he said, then his chest squeezed tight. Diana appeared just behind the butler.

  She caught Exile’s eye. “I know I’m supposed to wait with the others, but I wanted to see you before…oh!” She caught sight of the lady, “I’m interrupting. My apologies.” Diana gave a large smile. “Is this a relation of yours?”

  His tongue tied in his
mouth and he could say not a word as the other woman turned to Diana.

  “I’m Fiona MacFarland. His fiancée.”

  Diana’s face went pale as a sheet as her eyes flew to his. Her mouth opened and then closed again. “I…I see.”

  Fiona turned back to him. “I came here to tell ye in person that yer aunt has passed away. She had a disease of the lung over the winter from which she never recovered.”

  Callum shook his head. His aunt is gone? “I didnae ken.”

  “My fault,” Fiona said. “I couldn’t tell ye in a letter.”

  Diana stared at them both, visibly shaking. He wanted to go to her but he wasn’t sure he should. Fiona stole his attention again.

  “I didnae ken how to write to the man who hadn’t bothered to meet me in the three years we’d been promised to one another that his relation had passed,” she said.

  “Never met,” Diana whispered. He wouldn’t have heard her at all but he could see her lips moving.

  “I’m sorry. Fiona.” Then he looked at Diana. “Diana, ye dinnae look well. Come here.”

  “I don’t think so,” she answered, spinning around and leaving the room.

  He started after her, but as he reached the doorway, Fiona grabbed his arm. “I never wanted to marry ye.”

  He stopped. “I didnae want to marry ye either.”

  She nodded. “That does make this easier.”

  “What’s that?” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he tried to keep up.

  She notched her chin. “I wanted to tell ye about yer aunt in person and say to ye that I’ve married another. With your aunt gone, I no longer feel responsible for fulfilling the match she set forth.”

  He blinked. “Wait. I thought I was marrying ye for yer benefit. She said…”

  Fiona started then snapped her chin. “I don’t need a man who loves England more than his home country.”

  Part of him wanted to laugh. This had all been a mistake. But another part looked down the hall to where Diana had disappeared. Would she ever forgive him?

  Diana had found a door to the courtyard where she’d tossed herself on the ground and, for the first time in months, allowed herself to cry. They were tears that she’d held in for such a long time. Her worry over Charles, Emily’s disappearance, her own fears from the last several days. But as she wept out all her worries, strong hands lifted her and silently settled her into his lap.

  When she’d been wrung dry, she lifted her face, likely red and puffy beyond all recognition and said, “You’re marrying her, aren’t you?”

  Callum looked softly down at her. “No, lass. If ye’ll still have me, I’m marrying ye.”

  She shook her head. “But she’s your fiancée.”

  “So are ye,” he answered, raising his brows.

  “How many can a man have?” she asked, but her point was ruined as she let out a loud hiccup.

  “Just the one,” he answered, smoothing back loose wisps of her hair. “Fiona and I have mutually agreed that a marriage between us was never a good idea.”

  “Is that why you didn’t want to marry me before? Because of her?”

  “Yes,” he answered. “She was promised to Ewan when he died and my aunt felt I should honor the contract. I didnae even know her, Diana, and I certainly had no feelings for her beyond obligation. But my guilt over Ewan’s death made it difficult for me to consider another option.”

  Diana gasped. “Oh. I see. I understand completely. You wanted to fill all his obligations and so you took up his bride as your own.”

  “Well,” he grimaced. “I was dragging my feet. In five years, we never even met.”

  Diana reached for his face, holding his cheeks in her gloved hands. “I did catch that part, though no woman wants to meet her man’s other woman.” She gave him a long look.

  “Diana,” he answered, staring back. “Ye’re all the woman I will ever be able to handle.”

  “Good,” she answered, swiping at her face. “Because Bad was correct. You do not want to make me angry.”

  Callum laughed then, lifting her off the bench and into his arms. “Funny thing about ye, Diana. Ye may have the softest heart of all the Chases.”

  She shook her head. “You know. I just might.”

  “Now, let’s get ye cleaned up. We’ve got an engagement to make public.”

  Diana shook her head. “My mother somehow knows already. Apparently, she was skeptical about allowing me to stay at Minnie’s the past few days, but now she’s convinced that Ada and Grace should also attend a dinner party thrown by Daring and Minnie. Thinks they’ll leave with husbands.”

  Callum stopped, staring down at her. “Ye know. That isnae a bad plan.”

  Diana shook her head. “It’s a dreadful plan. The worst.”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “As long as ye’re my wife, and yer family is all safe, I dinnae care how we go about it.”

  She gave him a large smile. “I agree. Except that Vice and Bad need to keep their hands to themselves. I’ve spent time with the two of them. They’re the worst of the lot.”

  “That they are,” he answered.

  The door to the courtyard opened and Daring stepped out. “What the blazes is going on?” Daring yelled. “You’ve disappeared with an earl’s daughter. Have you lost your mind?”

  “No. We’re coming,” Callum called. “But we might need you to stall for a few more minutes.”

  “What has my life become?” Daring grouched as he turned back inside.

  Callum leaned over. “Will you be at yer parents’ tonight?”

  She looked up at him. “I will.”

  “Is your window climbable?”

  A little giggle escaped, her heart bursting with joy. “I’m on the second floor with a lovely trellis and balcony.”

  He leaned down. “Leave yer balcony door open tonight.”

  She caught her breath. “With pleasure.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Diana stood by her open balcony door wearing nothing but a night rail. She’d shooed away her cousin and sister an hour prior, then had undone her hair. She wasn’t certain if Callum still wanted to wait to be completely intimate until the wedding, but she knew that she did not want to wait another moment.

  In fact, she might burst if he didn’t arrive soon. Stepping out onto the balcony for the fourth time in as many minutes, she nearly screamed when a hand appeared on the railing.

  Slapping her palms over her mouth, she stared as Callum’s head appeared. “Ye were right. The trellis is exceptional.”

  She dropped her hands and stepped toward him as he pushed his upper body above the rail and then swung a leg over the side. “You came.”

  He stepped toward her, pulling her against his chest. “Of course I did. I cannae stay away from ye now that I ken we’re to be married. The real problem is how we’re no’ going to get caught.”

  She slid her arms around his neck. “I’ve convinced my mother to have the ceremony in a fortnight. Perhaps one of my sisters will have a nice, long, proper engagement, but my father is so thrilled not to have to fund my season that I suspect they’ll agree.”

  He grinned, capturing her lips. “Ye’re not disappointed are ye? To be missing a large affair?”

  “Goodness no,” she answered, kissing him again. “The last emotion I feel is disappointment.”

  He slid his hands down over her back and then her behind, cupping the cheeks as he lifted her to press their hips together. Tingling sensations spread through her as his hard shaft pushed into her softness, making her weak with want.

  Hoisting her up off the ground, he carried her back inside. “Diana,” he said, his voice rough and low. “I want to wait but…”

  “It’s only a few weeks,” she answered, as he sat on the bed with her in his lap, her legs on either side of his hips.

  Callum grabbed her derriere again and pressing her closer, they started to move together, even with their clothes still on, Diana thought she might die from need. A
warm sensation coursed through her.

  She fumbled with his shirt until she managed to pull it off his torso, then her hands were everywhere. She touched the hard strength of his shoulders, the muscled chest, flat stomach, and hard back, raking her fingers along the skin.

  In answer, he lay back and began undoing the falls of his breeches. Then he had to sit up again, to wrestle them over his hips.

  Diana lifted up to let him work and, in one quick movement, her night rail went sailing over her head.

  He only managed to get his pants down to his knees before she pushed him back onto the bed and lowered herself onto his hard shaft.

  Her eyes rolled back as he filled her insides in a way that was incredibly satisfying. Both because he felt so wonderful and because being with him like this made her feel worthy of love. “Oh, Callum,” she breathed out, just holding him inside her.

  He ran his hands over her front, touching every swell and angle. “Diana, my love,” he murmured then he pulled her lower and as he slid out of her, took her lips in another heated kiss. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

  “No,” she answered. “It doesn’t.” Then she slid back down him, drawing him into her body again.

  The pace was slow but their caresses, their kisses, grew increasingly heated until the pace quickened, taking on a breathless quality that made Diana hot and hungry for more.

  She held him tight as her body rode the sensation, drawing to the final climax where she screamed out his name.

  She was still spasming inside when he rolled her over and thrust inside her two, three, four times before his own guttural cry joined with hers. She felt his warm seed inside her even as he held her close.

  Diana stroked his hair, his warm weight on top of her as they lay still joined together. “I’ll stay until just before dawn,” he whispered.

  “Wake me before you go,” she answered, kissing him again.

  “Soon enough, I won’t have to go anywhere.”

  She smiled as he lifted her again and pulled back the covers. “I can’t believe we’re getting married.”