Lady Nora was walking the path with Lady Denhallow. Kim hadn’t looked down on Nora once for becoming a member of the working class and Lucy was grateful for that.
Anna giggled. “Aren’t you glad I allowed the earl to sleep with you on the couch all those weeks ago?”
Lucy was but wouldn’t admit it to Anna. “I’ve clearly forgiven you, since I invited you to this outing.” The men had wanted to meet Kent’s wife properly and all had avoided speaking of their past to her great relief. She turned from the men and looked at Anna. “But it was a scandalous thing you did. What if George had walked in on us?”
Anna waved her away. “I kept George well occupied with food. He couldn’t seem to get enough. He’s growing to be a fine boy. I’m glad I finally have a chance to know him and that we no longer have to hide our friendship from Lord Maltsby. Jessica would approve of everything you’ve done for him.”
The two held hands for a moment.
“Thank you for being my friend.” Lucy said.
“You’re a good friend, Lucy.” Anna said. “Your status never mattered.”
“If there is ever a way I can repay you—”
“Well, now that you mention it. You could find a way to introduce me to Coalwater again.” Anna eyes tracked the silent viscount, as he stood with the others.
The setting sun and his hat hid most of his face from sight, but Lucy knew what he looked like. A masculine jaw, thick dark brows over piercing blue eyes.
Lucy had cared for him for four years, and it didn’t matter that she was only two years older than him, she felt quite protective of Coalwater.
She looked over and saw the libidinous expression on Anna’s face and scoffed. “He’s but a boy.”
Anna scoffed back. “That man is no boy. I’ve heard the rumors. He lives in that brothel in Covent Garden, and let me tell you, those women do not call him a boy.”
Lucy didn’t wish to see Coalwater that way, though she’d heard the stories as well. He was like a sultan in his harem at the brothel. She supposed every man had found their own vice after leaving Mr. Goody’s home. “Coalwater doesn’t do...conversation.”
“Wonderful! It is not conversation I truly wish from him anyway.”
“Anna!” Lucy laughed and then looked back over at the men. Kent’s body was turned. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she knew he was watching her.
Fawley picked up George, who screamed with glee as he was swung over Fawley’s shoulder and carried away like a sack of potatoes.
Then Kent straightened and started toward her. At the edge of her blanket, he crouched down, and she saw his eyes. Amative heat lit their depths.
Then he turned to Anna. “Mind if I steal my wife for a moment?”
“Not at all.” Anna stood. “I actually wanted to see what George was up to. You can take my spot.” Anna left and Lucy knew the woman was not heading to George but to the viscount.
Kent settled at Lucy’s side. Their arms brushed and just that simple contact sparked want in her blood.
“Are you having a wonderful time with your friends?” Lucy asked.
“Yes. George as well. The boy is intelligent and catches onto things very quickly.” He watched her carefully. “Astlen and Denhallow both went to Eton at different times. They said they enjoyed it there.”
“Kent.” Lucy straightened and glared. Her good mood had vanished. “George cannot go to Eton. Why are you so intent on sending him away?”
Kent looked stricken. “Is that what you think? That I want to send George away? Truly?”
Her heart pounded as she held his eyes. “I don’t know. Is this…about the revenge?” They hadn’t spoken about it in some time.
Kent shook his head. “No. This is about George being the very best man he can be.”
“He’ll become a good man here, underneath a good tutor and your guidance.”
Kent looked away, but Lucy caught the pain in his gaze before it vanished.
“What is it?” She moved closer to him. “Please, explain this to me so that I understand.”
“A tutor is good,” Kent said “but I’m sure he’d thrive better with men less…”
“Less what?” she asked as she stared at the side of his face. He no longer gave her his eyes.
He shook his head. “Less angry. I don’t want him to be me or grow to hate me.”
The words were an insult to himself, yet somehow, they’d managed to offend Lucy. “You are far less angry than before.”
“But it’s still there. I just…” He looked at her. “I don’t want to mess him up.”
Lucy’s heart expanded. “Oh, Kent. You won’t.” She touched his back. “You won’t. You can’t. George needs you. He needs to know someone cares for him. After everything his father did to him, he might need you more than me.”
“No, that will never be true.” He turned his body toward her and leaned in. “You are his foundation, one that has been forged with sacrifice and love. His world would change without you in it.”
She smiled. “Kent, we all have our faults. Don’t let yours separate you from the people who care about you.”
Another expression passed over his eyes. Surprise. “You’re…right. I believe I do that very thing. I did it with Colby. With you. I just…”
“It’s easier to push someone away than to lose them?” Lucy asked. “But such actions lead to loneliness.”
“Which is another thing.” Kent said. “George needs to be around more children.”
“We’ll make friends who have children.” she reasoned.
His fulsome smile set off a wild pulsing in her core. “I’d rather we make something else.”
“What?” she asked.
He reached out and his hand pressed firmly against her belly.
Lucy’s eyes widened. They’d never discussed children, but of course, every time they coupled it became a strong possibility that she was carrying.
Their moment alone was interrupted with the sound of barking from the path. A gentleman was strolling down the path with what looked to be a fleet of pugs. The young ones tumbled and tripped after their parents, yipping as they went.
Kent recognized the man and struck up a conversation just as the dogs moved close. Kent rubbed the heads of the parent dogs and commented on the animals’ fine breeding.
One of the puppies came to investigate Lucy. She stuck out her fingers and allowed the creature to sniff at her.
Then George was suddenly there, winded and flushed. He reached for a puppy, but Kent grabbed his hand and forced him to meet the younglings’ mother and father first. Then he allowed George to grab one puppy closest to Lucy.
Lucy saw the look in George’s eyes and recognized it as instant love. She knew what was coming next.
George beat her to speaking. “Uncle Kent, can I have one?”
Lucy tried to rush to speak.
“Of course.” Kent said, grinning at George.
Lucy gasped and looked between the two. Then Kent finally met her eyes and his expression asked her what was wrong.
Lucy turned to George. “Puppies are not easy to care for.”
George was hardly paying attention. He stretched out and had the puppy on his chest.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” Miriam had come over and was now petting the animal as she crawled over George.
The owner said, “That one is a girl.” Then to Kent, he said, “We can discuss the sale privately.”
Kent nodded.
Lucy tried again. “Puppies can make quite a mess and be very loud.”
Kent placed a hand on her arm and began to rub it. “Every good gentleman needs a dog.”.
“He can keep it?” Miriam asked Kent. She didn’t even bother looking at Lucy at all.
“Yes,” Kent said “if your mother allows it, you can help him care for it.”
“Hurrah!” the kids shouted.
“Well.” Lucy crossed her arms. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be with the women.” She started to mo
ve.
Kent chuckled and tugged her back down on the blanket. Then he leaned into her ear. “You’re needed. You’re always need.”
The skin on her neck went hot. “I’m not sure I am.”
He lowered his voice. “Don’t make me put you on my lap.”
She stiffened at the wanton statement and gasped.
His lips brushed her cheek before he turned to the owner of the dog. “Let’s discuss the sale. My wife can likely come up with a fair price.”
Lucy grinned.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 0
* * *
With an arm propped up and his head resting on his fist, Kent stared down at Lucy’s face as she slept and tried to figure out what he was doing.
There were many things he could be doing at the moment. There were accounts to go over and inquires to make where Lord Maltsby was concerned. Yet, he didn’t feel like doing any of those things.
All he wanted to do was lay here and wait for the first brushes of morning sun to crawl across her pale skin, the warm orange and blue notes making her glow. He watched her chest rise and trailed his eyes along the small wisp of hair at her temple then to the rest of the soft locks spread out over his bed.
His gaze caught her ear and he smiled, recalling how easily her body would flush whenever he gave her a certain lustful look or said something abundantly shameless.
Like a true lady, she often slept late, which he didn’t mind. When he’d commented on it weeks ago, she’d said it was likely her body trying to catch up on all the years of sleep she missed while working for both Mr. Goody and Lord Maltsby.
His plan for revenge was little more than a joke now.
Her visage was relaxed, which was not uncommon for her even during the hours she was awake. He didn’t understand that. How had she managed to find a constant flow of peace when there was so much wrong with the world?
Kent could barely go an hour without getting even slightly frustrated. Wars were always at a constant flow within him, even when he tried to appear otherwise.
And for her and George, Kent was taking measures to do so. It became a little easier every day, but there were times that even George tested his patience as a boy should.
What if he said something to George one day that he couldn’t take back? Would George hate him? Would Lucy hate him?
An ache began in his chest. The other day, he’d spoken of just how much George needed her when in reality it was Kent who needed her. And she could never know how much.
Such power in anyone’s hands would leave him too vulnerable. It was fine that she knew he craved her body and her company. What man wouldn’t become spellbound by her smile?
But their relationship needed to remain physical. Kent was gleefully floating on a lake of complacency, but he knew better than to go deep, take them farther below the safety of the surface.
The shallow shores would have to be fine, because what rested down below would surely send Lucy running for the nearest hackney and away from him forever. Because, if he ever gave her the power to hurt him, he’d be a different man. A possessive man, caging her in at every turn until she suffocated under his need for her.
This all meant he should get up and get his mind on other things. Surely, there was something in the house that fascinated him more than Lucy.
He looked up at the window as light broke through. How long had he been staring at her and contemplating his life? The light finally managed to creep onto her face, and she moved toward him and away from the light, burrowing herself in the darkness his shadow offered.
How appropriate a metaphor, for if she continued to do such things, that is exactly what would be the case.
Her face brushed his bare chest and instead of moving away, she curled closer. Only her night rail rest between them as her hand touched his stomach and chest. She sighed. The sound could be nothing but a confirmation of the equanimity of her thoughts.
And Kent closed his eyes as a pressing thought brushed through his mind. Just as it had been doing for days, likely weeks even. He loved her. There was no getting around the fact. It was true. He’d fallen and likely done so a long time ago.
Which angered him and proved just how weak a man he was that he’d placed himself in such a position.
The other evening at the park confirmed what he’d been suspicious about since the beginning. His hunt for Lucy these last few years had not been about revenge, but about completion. For until Lucy, Kent had not been a whole man. Even George had a place in his heart, a portion of his soul that would forever be his.
Since he’d been old enough to understand anything, there had been two things Kent had been certain of. His parents hated him, and he was the heir to Ganden, a name that had already grown to mean wealth even before Lord Maltsby’s money schemes made him even more powerful.
He’d depended on those facts as he’d made every decision he had in life.
But now, he had two more factors—Lucy and George. Their existence shifted everything else to the side while they took the forefront. No longer could he simply care about himself. He had people depending on him.
And Lucy…He could trust himself with her…though he’d never tell her.
She cared for him and so long as she continued to do so, he would suffer through his love for her and not complain.
The hand on his chest moved up and cupped the back of his neck, brushing his nape before moving toward his jaw. Then up higher, trailing his face until she touched his furrowed brows.
Her nose wrinkled. “What are you thinking about?” Her voice was soft but heavy with sleep.
“I was thinking about you.” He wrapped his arm around her.
She frowned. “Why are thoughts of me troubling you?”
“Because, I’ve been waiting for you to wake and growing impatient.” His body had woke when she’d curled into him. Leaning forward, he brushed his cheek against hers.
She smiled against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. The combination of her softness and her voice was lethal. “You could wake me, you know.”
His body roared with urgent demand, but he managed to pull away so he could catch her eyes. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her eyes flickered wider with amazement and glee. Had he never told her so before? What kind of a beast had he been to her? What sort of a man had she allowed to touch her body? “Have I never told you that before?”
She shook her head.
He glared. “Have I never said anything kind to you?”
She smiled. “Of course, you have.” She was rubbing his chest again. “And you’ve shown me what you’ve not said aloud. It is often that way with you. You may have never told me I was beautiful, but your eyes say it. You look at me the way no man before you ever has.”
“Or will again,” he murmured with threat “not unless he wishes to lose his eyes.”
She looked up at him and laughed. “You complimented my intellect when you trusted me to choose George’s new tutor and governess. You move in ways that protect me, which means you care for me.” Her eyes searched his for confirmation.
“You know I do.” he whispered, rubbing his hand on her hip. “You know I care for you.”
Her eyes became coy. “Because you want me in your bed?”
He stiffened and opened his mouth. But then thought. He should allow her to think this was only about sex and keep their relationship on the surface. Any other confirmation would drag them underwater.
But the reluctance in her eyes was not something he could stand. “I want you everywhere and in every part of my life. You…make life enjoyable.”
Her expression was surreal. His wife was happy with his answer.
He already knew she was, but he asked anyway. “Are you happy? Here? Are you happy here with me?” Did the question make him too vulnerable?
She caressed his cheeks. “Extremely so. I’m surprised you’ve not tossed George and I out by now. I know he drives you mad.”
So, she had noticed.
As if on cue, the sound of yapping and what sounded like a herd of footsteps rushed by their door. “Come, Eris,” George called, his voice muffled by the wall that separated them. “Come on, girl. Come, come.”
“Come, Eris!” Miriam shouted merrily. “Come, girl!” She was becoming George’s shadow more and more every day.
“George, Miriam,” Lady Nora called after them “slow down and do lower your voices.” Yet her rushed footsteps followed a moment later.
Then the yapping returned, as did the children’s footsteps. Eris was clearly running them all in
circles. The name they’d gifted her was appropriate, Eris being the Greek goddess of discord.
Kent
stared down at his wife and watched her face brighten. Her lips were pressed closed as she tried to
suppress a laugh. Her eyes glittered. So beautiful.
“Eris, no! Not on the carpet,” George said.
“I’ll get her,” Miriam said.
“Children, please lower your voices.” Lady Nora said. “You’ll wake Lord and Lady Ganden.”
The noise ceased suddenly. Even Eris lowered herself to nothing more than heavy breathing.
“Do you think we woke them?” Miriam asked in a loud whisper.
“No.” George said, equally as loud. “Aunt Lucy can sleep through anything. One time, the ceiling next door to our flat fell in. There was a loud crash. She didn’t wake then.”
Kent grinned, and Lucy covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook. Her eyes watered.
Lady Nora sighed with gratitude. “Now, let us go to the garden.”
The footsteps faded into nothing as they continued down the hall.
Kent pulled her hand away from her mouth and kissed her as he rolled on top of her. He could not wait any longer. “Let’s see if you can sleep through this.”
She laughed and continued to do so as they made love.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 1
* * *
Lucy smiled as Kent walked into the breakfast room a few mornings later. “Morning.”
Dread of The Earl (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 19
