The Earl’s Dangerous Passion (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  “He thought that your father killed your mother? He didn’t honestly believe that, did he?”

  “He did,” Derby said grimly. “Mother died of a hemorrhage. She was a petite woman, and the labor had been very difficult. But your father believed it was something else, something more nefarious, all because my parents had argued the night before Mother went into labor. Father never forgave him for that.”

  Now Amy understood why their visits to the Derby estate had stopped. She had been looking forward to seeing the new baby — she adored babies — but the news instead was that the baby had died, along with the mother, and they were never going back there again. Amy had been distraught, wanting to see her friends and be there for them. But she was forbidden from seeing them. That changed as Amy grew up and began to see Sarah and Derby at social gatherings, but Amy had always wondered.

  “And now Father’s putting you in the same pot as your father?”

  “Pretty much,” Derby grunted. “Like father, like son.”

  “But you didn’t kill your mother. Neither did your father. My father is just a fool.” Amy cupped his jaw and made him look at her. “The old Earl was an absolute saint, as are you.”

  Derby’s expression softened. Amy was shocked to see the sadness in his eyes. He nuzzled her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm.

  “You are good for my ego, Amy. But, trust me,” He looked down at her, sadness turning into a salacious glint, “My thoughts right now are certainly not saint-like.”

  Amy momentarily forgot how to breathe. Arousal started to uncoil in her belly, curling up her spine and down to her core. She swayed toward him.

  “Daniel…”

  “God, Amy, I love hearing you say my name.” Derby kissed her hand again. “But we’d better get back. If we don’t leave soon, I’m going to follow through on those unsaintly thoughts, and I don’t want to embarrass your chaperone. She’s coming now.”

  He was right. Amy could see Victoria walking towards them, looking a little more composed than before. The moment was lost, and Amy couldn’t help feeling sad about it. But she could still feel her body tingling from Derby’s touch, from his kisses. If she reacted to embraces like that, what about if she allowed him more?

  Amy found herself eager to find out.

  * * *

  The journey back to the house was a little more sedate, more for Victoria’s sake. But Amy was glad for the gentle stroll back. Every movement made by the saddle was rubbing against very sensitive parts, causing Amy to wriggle. She was going to fall off if she wasn’t careful.

  They were halfway back, just passing the orchard when Victoria cried out and clasped at the saddle with a white-knuckled grip. Derby turned back, slowing his horse to a stop.

  “Are you all right back there, Miss Fairley?”

  “I’m…” Victoria righted herself, stiffening her spine. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  Amy laughed.

  “I’ll take that as a no.”

  Victoria glared at her. Derby dismounted and led his horse towards the two women. Then he took Victoria’s reins, urging the horses into a gentle walk.

  “Just hold on. I’ll do the leading.”

  “There’s no need…” Victoria started to protest, but Derby shook his head.

  “I insist. It was unfair of Lord Hartley to send out someone who couldn’t ride.”

  Victoria flushed.

  “He was very insistent about it.”

  “He always is,” Amy grumbled. She grinned. “I’m sure the stable manager can give you a few lessons.”

  She remembered how Victoria looked when she had been choosing a horse with the help of the head stablehand. The man had to be nearer forty, but even Amy couldn’t take her eyes off him. Such a handsome figure, and from the way Victoria had been blushing and mumbling, quite unlike herself, she thought it as well. And the mere mention of him had Victoria blushing again.

  Derby laughed.

  “Definitely. I’ll make sure he knows to give you a few lessons.”

  “Oh, don’t!” Victoria protested. “Please…”

  But Derby ignored her protests as they made their way back to the house. They reached the stable courtyard, and Derby signaled for the nearest young lad to take his horse. Then he helped Victoria down, holding her until she stopped wobbling.

  “Have you found your feet?”

  “Yes.” Still blushing, Victoria bobbed a curtsy. “Thank you, my lord.”

  She hurried off, scurrying towards the door into the house. Derby was still smiling as he gave her horse to a second stable lad, and then he came over to Amy.

  “You don’t need to find your feet, do you?”

  “Not really.” Amy giggled, allowing Derby to help her down. “I just want an excuse to be close to you.”

  Derby sighed and wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

  “You don’t need an excuse to do that when we’re alone. My servants won’t say a word. Just be careful when others of our social standing could be close by. I don’t want you to have a scandal following you around.” He grinned. “Then I would have to marry you.”

  It was in jest, but Amy felt a thrill in her breast. She giggled and kissed him.

  “Doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

  Derby made a noise of agreement and captured her mouth with his. But no sooner had Amy sunk into the embrace than Derby was pulling away abruptly, turning towards the front of the house.

  “What’s going on out there?”

  Then Amy heard it as well. Horses hooves and the sound of carriage wheels on gravel. Another guest was arriving.

  “Perhaps it’s your sister and her husband,” she suggested. “They’re meant to be here, aren’t they?”

  “They’re already here. I don’t have any plans for more visitors today.” Derby strode towards the gate. “Something’s not right.”

  Amy hurried after him, almost slamming into Derby’s back when he stopped abruptly. She looked around him, and her heart stopped. From the carriage before them alighted the Earl of Leicester, looking tall and full of grandeur. Then he turned and leaned into the carriage, reappearing a moment later as he helped Rebecca Colburn out.

  Amy could feel her heart sinking. This wasn’t planned at all. What was Derby planning? She knew he wouldn’t allow either of them to be within throwing distance of his ancestral home, considering how much he despised both of them. How could he have asked them here?

  Then Derby let out a low noise that sounded like a snarl. Amy looked up and saw the angry expression, the tightened jaw, and the furious look in his eyes. He was clearly not expecting them, either.

  “Leicester,” he barked. “What are you doing here?”

  “Good day to you, too, Derby,” Leicester said lazily. “Glad to know your manners haven’t changed.” He turned to Amy and bowed. “Miss Hartley.”

  “Lord Leicester.” Amy couldn’t bring herself to return his greeting properly. “What are you doing here?”

  “What do you think? Miss Colburn and I were invited here.” Leicester urged Rebecca forward. “We were invited to stay for a few weeks. Very hospitable of you, Derby.”

  “Certainly.” Rebecca giggled. She dropped into a low curtsy at Derby. “My lord. It’s good to see you again.”

  Derby scowled. Amy saw his hands were clenched at his sides.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he snapped. “I never invited either of you.”

  “Did you not?” Rebecca looked up as she rose. She was still giggling. “Lord Hartley said that I would be most welcome.”

  “Lord Hartley invited you?”

  “Of course, he did,” Leicester responded smoothly. “And as I’m currently Miss Hartley’s suitor, it’s only reasonable that I be here as well.”

  Hartley had planned this all. Amy had thought Derby was going to get her father to see sense and make him change his mind. But instead, he was abusing Derby’s hospitality.

  She stepped around Derby, holding a
hand up as Derby growled. She would handle this.

  “I didn’t realize we were courting, officially or otherwise,” Amy said coolly as she looked up at the big Earl.

  Leicester sniggered.

  “You don’t exactly listen to what your father’s saying, do you?”

  “I didn’t invite you here, Leicester,” Derby growled. “And Lord Hartley had no right to do so.”

  “Oh?” Leicester turned his dark eyes onto Derby. Amy could see the challenge blazing there. “So, you’re going to turn me and Miss Colburn away? That’s not very hospitable of you, Lord Derby. Besides, if we go, so does Lord Hartley. He won’t be here without us. And Miss Hartley certainly won’t be here without her father.”

  Amy gasped. This was blackmail. Hartley had pulled a dirty trick to have things his own way, even breaking the rules to get what he wanted. And he would leave if Leicester and Rebecca were turned away. Derby wouldn’t be able to stop it if Hartley changed his mind.

  She didn’t want to leave. Not now.

  Derby bared his teeth, but his shoulders slumped, his hands still clenched tightly.

  “Fine. You two can stay. But both of you must keep out of my way.”

  Leicester smirked.

  “Good. I’m glad you could see it properly, Derby.” He turned to Rebecca. “Miss Colburn? Once your aunt has recovered from the journey, I’ll show you where you and your aunt will be staying.”

  “Rooms won’t be ready for them.” Derby snapped.

  “I’m sure we can arrange something.”

  “Oh?” Rebecca glanced at Derby with a coquettish look. “I was hoping that Lord Derby would escort me?”

  Derby snorted.

  “Lord Leicester is offering to escort you into my house. My advice would be that you take it.”

  He turned away, effectively giving his back to the two as he stormed away. Amy watched him go and then saw Leicester leering at her. He held out a hand.

  “Come, Miss Hartley. I think your father will be beginning to wonder where you are.”

  Amy stared at his hand. Then she backed away, turning and hurrying after Derby. She didn’t care what it looked like; anything was better than having to touch the odious Earl.

  Derby was halfway across the courtyard when Amy caught up with him.

  “Derby?” Amy slipped on the cobbles, catching herself in time as Derby turned to her. “Daniel?”

  “I’ll be fine. Just give me a moment.”

  Derby paced, running his hands through his hair. He looked furious. His hands were shaking. Amy stood back and waited for him to get a hold on himself. She was angry, too, but her outburst wasn’t going to help. Someone needed to have a level head, or as close as they could get right now.

  “Father planned all of this,” she said. “He was planning on humiliating you. And I had no idea what he was doing, I promise you.”

  “I know that. You wouldn’t have agreed to anything involving Leicester.” Derby stopped pacing, hands on his hips as he breathed heavily. He was still clearly angry. “Hartley won’t win. I’m not going to let him.”

  “Just be careful. This is a fight you won’t win. Father likes to play dirty.”

  “So, do I,” Derby said darkly. He locked gazes with her. “And I’m not giving up on you because he’s a stubborn old man. He wants to play dirty, so will I.”

  Amy didn’t like this. But she had nothing to say to that.

  Chapter Twelve

  Derby couldn’t believe the gall of the Viscount. He had no authority at all to invite somebody to his home without Derby’s permission. Hartley knew that Derby would outright refuse before he had finished the question so, he had gone behind Derby’s back.

  Hartley wanted him to know that he was in charge and that nothing was going to change his mind. The older man saw through Sarah’s offer to join her at Derby’s home, and he was making sure that Debry knew his place. Amy was soon to be Leicester’s property, not his.

  Derby hated the thought of giving Amy up. The image of her being Leicester’s wife didn’t sit well with him. The woman he loved was being used as a pawn by her father, and it was causing her distress. Amy hid it well, but Derby could tell she was struggling. All through the afternoon until everyone dispersed for dinner, Leicester had dogged Amy’s footsteps, almost following her around like a puppy. Amy had gone from politely telling him to leave her be to outright rudely doing so, about which she was sharply reprimanded by her father and stepmother. Sarah and Merseyside interjected by separating the two, but Derby hated the fact he’d had to involve his own family.

  This wasn’t how it was meant to be. Derby had wanted a few weeks, or even a couple of months, to persuade Hartley that there was a better choice for his daughter. Someone who genuinely cared for her and didn’t care about the dowry. But Hartley had his mind set on Leicester, and he wasn’t about to change it.

  This whole plan felt like a failure before it had even started.

  And it didn’t help that Rebecca kept following him around. She talked to him with that high-pitched voice of hers, laughing whenever Derby told her to leave him be. The girl was either very stupid or very stubborn. Derby had a feeling she was both. That had been Hartley’s plan as well, to keep Derby distracted so he could keep him and Amy apart.

  Derby wanted to throttle the man.

  Dinner was somewhat awkward, but the friends Derby had invited managed to keep the conversation going, keeping the tone light. At least he didn’t have to deal with that part; he was more concerned about Amy. She sat to his right with Sarah across from her, her head bent as she had her starter and then the main course. On her other side was Leicester.

  Derby was furious about that. He had intended to have Baron Maudlin sat beside her, a man he could trust to keep Amy entertained. But Maudlin had been kept behind by his wife as she scolded him over something, and Leicester got there first. Amy was clearly uncomfortable as Leicester attempted to talk to her, but she kept quiet. She even flinched as Leicester leaned towards her and touched her hand.

  Witnessing this was painful. Derby hadn’t meant for this to happen. This was meant to be a quiet evening where he would attempt to have Lord and Lady Hartley realize that he was worthy to be their son-in-law. As a Viscount and Viscountess, they should have been delighted an earl was showing interest in their daughter, someone with a better reputation than the man they had in mind. But they sat at the far end of the table, eating in silence. Rebecca sat beside them, looking like a sulky little girl. Her aunt sat across from her, and Derby could see she was attempting to cheer her niece up, but she was fighting a losing battle.

  This was turning out to be an awful evening, but Derby wasn’t about to make more of a scene and embarrass Amy. He would have to have a private word with Leicester and tell him to leave. He would be able to get Amy to stay with a chaperone, not necessarily her father. But Derby would not have the odious Earl in his home.

  Dinner finished fairly quickly, and the women dispersed, led by Sarah, to go into the library for their after-dinner drinks. Maudlin and Merseyside led the men out back towards the lounge, Derby trailing at the back. He was beginning to wish he wasn’t the host now. Trying to make sure everyone was there, and things were going smoothly was incredibly tough.

  This was why he preferred the solitude. It was too much hassle. Derby just wanted to spend his time with a select few. Much as he loved his friends who had come up on short notice to help him out, Derby wanted to spend time with just a small party. Mostly just Amy.

  He had barely had the chance to spend any time with her since Leicester and Rebecca arrived, and Derby was getting antsy. After their intimate moment by the lake, he wanted more. A lot more.

  From the way she had responded in his arms, Amy felt the same. It was simply knowing she wanted to be with him that kept Derby going.

  “Derby.”

  Derby turned. He had almost forgotten about Leicester, who had still been finishing his dessert. Now the man was sauntering towards him with
a satisfied smirk. Derby wished he could walk away, but he stood his ground.

  “What do you want, Leicester?”

  “I wanted to ask your advice if you can believe it.”

  That had Derby bursting out in laughter.

  “You want to ask for my advice? Who’s hit you over the head?”

  “I know it’s shocking.” Leicester gestured down the hall. “Do you mind if we speak in private?”

  Derby didn’t want the man in his study. That was his private space. But he nodded and led the way. He allowed Leicester inside first and followed him in, shutting the door behind him. Then he folded his arms and glared at Leicester as the man went to his drink cabinet, picking up a decanter.