Summer's Distant Heart (Seasons Book 3)

by Laura Landon

  “May I join you?”

  “Of course.” She pointed to the chair nearest the chaise.

  “I see he’s asleep,” he said, lowering his gaze to where little George lay peacefully tucked beside her.

  “Yes, I was just about to call Frannie to put him down for his nap when the little rascal nodded right off.”

  “Allow me.”

  Hunter Montclaire rose to tug at the bell pull, and moments later a footman appeared. “Send Frannie to us, if you would please,” he said.

  He turned to retrieve the infant’s rattle that had fallen to the floor and Lia could not help but reward him with a smile. Most men would have merely kicked it away. “Thank you, my lord,” she said.

  “Hunt,” he corrected, turning to her with his eyebrow cocked in a winsome way. “You promised to call me Hunt.”

  She blushed. It was true. She had promised. But each time her tongue sought to form the familiar name, such amorous feelings cascaded across her mind that she found herself blushing furiously.

  With great effort, Lia swallowed her hesitation. “Yes. Hunt. Thank you.” She found it quite exhilarating to speak his name, and her smile broadened further at the small joy.

  “Ah,” Frannie said as she scurried into the solarium. “You tuckered the lad out, my lady. I’ll see him to his cradle. Hopefully he’ll sleep for a long while.”

  “Yes, Frannie.”

  The nursemaid picked George up and carried him from the room.

  “How do you feel?” Hunter asked when they were alone.

  “I’m much better. Completely recovered, I must say.”

  “Are you?” he asked with a questioning voice and inquisitive look.

  “Yes. Truly, I am. And I daresay it’s none too soon, if you intend to keep up your witty midnight repartee.” She grinned when he flinched dramatically.

  “Alas, I fear it is I who cannot keep pace, my lady. You are far too quick-witted for me.”

  Their laughter echoed happily in the high-ceilinged room, a welcome sound that almost seemed to startle them both.

  The Earl of Atherton stretched his muscular legs out before him and relaxed against the back of his chair. “I’ve been wondering, my lady. That is…Lia. Was your sister’s coloring the same as yours?” he asked.

  Lia couldn’t stop the smile from lifting the corners of her mouth. “Goodness, no. She was as light as I am dark. The babe is a replica of his mother, with hair of gold and eyes as blue as the sea.”

  “Then she and my brother would have made quite a stunning pair. He also had hair of gold and eyes a startling blue.”

  Lia turned her head and her gaze locked with Hunter’s. Before she could respond, a strange emotion stole her breath. Without reason, she suddenly wanted him to see her. Amelia. Not Janice. Not the sister whose future had been cut short, but Amelia, who had a whole life ahead of her.

  “I would ask a favor,” Lia said in a breathless voice that quite surprised her.

  “Yes.”

  “You see, I am quite desperate to move about. Just for a bit.”

  “Well, then, let’s give it a try. But you must be sure to keep hold of my arm.” He rose and extended his hand.

  Lia smiled and nodded. “I shall appreciate your support.”

  She extended her hand which he clasped with his own, adding just enough of a pull to help her slip off the chaise with what almost felt like grace.

  “I can’t believe how weak I am,” she said once she had steadied herself. “I’m going to have to work to regain my strength.”

  “And how do you intend to do that, Jannie—” He stopped and turned an apologetic look in her direction. “Lia. Sorry. It’s going to take me a day or two to accustom myself to thinking of you by your real name.”

  Lia lowered her gaze, somewhat chagrined at the reminder of her earlier deception. “It’s understandable.”

  Hunter Montclaire turned toward the door that led to the garden. “Perhaps a few minutes in the sunshine?”

  She laughed. “You have no idea how positively wonderful that sounds!”

  Acknowledging her enthusiasm with a grin, he led her out onto the terrace that was set about with lush Grecian planters. With each step she felt stronger, more sure-footed, and without a thought, she urged him down the three steps to the garden path.

  “I refuse to allow you to overdo the first time you think you are strong enough to get out of bed. It’s growing late, and it won’t be long before it will start growing dark. We’ll make sure we’ve returned to the house before then.”

  Lia made a face and nodded as she secured her hand more snugly through his bent elbow. It felt natural to walk next to him. She felt safe when she was near him, as if she belonged next to him.

  “Have you seen Miles today? It’s quite unusual for him not to visit. I thought for sure I would see him.”

  “The truth is, I sent him to the village.”

  “For what reason?”

  “To see if he could discover anything concerning my father. I didn’t want those kinds of questions being associated with me. With Miles asking the questions, there’s no reason for folks to make a connection with Rainwood.”

  “You think your father might be searching for you?”

  “Not that he wants to have anything to do with me. Only that he wants to know where I am and keep watch on me. When I stopped taking his allowance several years ago he began making veiled inquiries around London. He was merely curious how I manage to exist without his help.” Hunter raked a hand through his hair. “Now, however, he has reason to think I know something about Evan’s marriage. I would imagine he will escalate his search soon if he hasn’t already.”

  “Forgive my, my lord, but how is it that you manage if, as you say, you hold yourself apart from your family estate?”

  He chuckled. “Not every man fritters his days in the gaming hells, I assure you. I for one have found industry to be the most satisfying way to occupy my time.”

  It was a vague answer, but as Lia took in the beautifully manicured grounds and sizeable, well-kept household, she could believe that he was indeed, as he said, a man of means. And the respect shown him by his staff was a most telling clue to the fact that he looked after them with as much care and concern as he exhibited for his estate.

  “I do not believe I like your father,” Lia said with a satirical grin.

  “Then you are very wise. He is not someone anyone would wish for a father.”

  “Why does he dislike you so?”

  “Because he is a man of deep cravings and he loved—or rather coveted—my mother more than anything in the world. Many men had vied for her hand, but he had won her. He took immense pride in her. And then she died giving birth to me.”

  Lia stopped in the middle of the path and lifted her gaze to look at him. “And he blames you for her death?”

  “Yes. That plus the fact that Evan had my father’s hair and eyes, and I inherited my mother’s.”

  “So, every time he looks at you, he is reminded of what he lost.”

  “Yes. You’re quite perceptive.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lia said.

  “Don’t be. I stopped seeking his love years ago. The price of groveling for it became too high.”

  They took a few more steps down the path, then Lia saw what she was looking for—a bench beneath a rose-laden arbor. “Would you mind if we sit for a moment?”

  “Of course not. Forgive me. I wasn’t thinking. You’re probably tired. Here.” He drew his arm around her shoulder to turn her toward the bench. As warm ribbons of comfort cascaded about her, Lia became aware that it was more than a bench she’d been hoping to find. Much more.

  She relished the feel of him close beside her as they sat.

  “I didn’t think I would tire so quickly. But it seems…”

  Quite without realizing it, Lia’s mind withdrew from her worries and focused on the soft, slow, rhythmic stroking of Hunter’s hand that had quite successfully robbed her of words
. She doubted he even knew he was doing it, but she prayed her shoulder would hold the memory of it for a long, long time.

  What was there about him that consumed her with this welling passion? She had no wish to feel this way. Once before, she’d fallen in love with a man who’d carried a title. And she’d been abandoned by him because she wasn’t a member of the ton. Her hopes had been dashed as thoroughly as her heart had shattered.

  But then, it had always been important to the nobility that they not marry beneath them. Montclaire’s brother and her own sister were rare exceptions in their determination to stand against the beau monde. And yet, in the end even her dear sister had hidden from Society’s scorn. As for herself, Lia did not want to put herself through that turmoil ever again.

  She shivered, and felt her heart shift in concert with the soothing fingers that gently stroked her arm.

  “Are you alright? Or would you rather go back into the house?”

  “No. I’m fine. Truly.” She turned and found him facing her. “I don’t want to go back…yet,” she said softly. Though she did not feel weak, she certainly was atremble, and the thought of walking seemed more than she could manage.

  It was quite another thought that invaded her conscious mind at the moment—the thought of what it might feel like to touch his lips with hers. He dropped his head, bringing his mouth tantalizingly near as he sought to look her in the eye.

  “Are you feeling faint?” His concerned gaze was locked with hers and his arm stretched more securely around her.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I mean, no. I mean…that is…”

  Keeping his arm around her shoulders, he lifted his other hand to cover her clasped hands. His touch caused her to take an involuntary gasping breath.

  He tucked his head lower, searching her eyes for a caution she knew she should issue, but could not.

  Instead, she kept her gaze locked with his as he brought his face closer. His gaze lowered to her mouth, to her lips. The very nearness betrayed his intent. He was going to kiss her. She knew it without a doubt and she wasn’t going to stop him. She should, she knew. But she wasn’t going to.

  He brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her. Softly. Sweetly. A tender touch that launched a most welcome flood of longing.

  He deepened his kiss as if he’d wished for it for some time but hadn’t found the opportunity. Lia reveled in the sweetness of it, and then his kiss turned more sensual. Yet it was not in the least intrusive or demanding.

  She turned and lifted her hands to his chest as she answered his kiss. She couldn’t deny him. She wanted him too badly. Far too badly.

  . . . .

  There was no way for Hunter to know how long the kissing lasted. All he knew was that he never wanted to let her go. The emotions that roiled within him were powerful and pleasant. Now that he knew she wasn’t his brother’s wife it was as if the doors had been thrown wide and he’d been given permission to unleash his ardor.

  He lifted his mouth from hers and drew her to him.

  She rested her head against his chest, pressed closely enough to hear his heart thunder beneath her ear.

  “I should apologize, Lia, but I cannot. I wanted to kiss you too desperately.”

  “As I wanted to kiss you,” she whispered. “But it cannot happen again.”

  “Why?”

  She pulled away from him. “Because it cannot. Your father would not allow it.”

  “Damn my father! I refuse to let him ruin my life like he did Evan’s.”

  “Only, this time I would ruin your life.”

  “How could you possibly ruin my life?”

  She scoffed. “You know well the brutal arm of the ton. The day will come when you will be expected to take your place in Society. If not for your own sake, then for George’s. How can you expect to be accepted if the woman you marry is a commoner? How can you expect George to be accepted when it becomes known that his very mother was a commoner as well as the woman his uncle married?”

  “Damn Society! I don’t care a whit what they think.”

  “Enough!”

  Hunter knew Lia’s demand was meant to stop the discussion they were having as well as to make him believe such talk was impossible.

  “We’re getting ahead of ourselves,” she continued, then lowered her gaze to her clenched fists in her lap. “I would like to return to the house, Hunt. I’m tired.”

  “Of course you are.”

  He rose and helped her to her feet. She stumbled and he pulled her against him and held her.

  She lifted her gaze and he lowered his head to kiss her once more. She met his kiss, but did not encourage him to continue.

  “Let me get you into the house.”

  He’d kept her out too long. He’d asked too much of her. Hunter vowed to see her right upstairs, but when they entered, Miles was walking through the solarium toward them.

  “Miles,” she said reaching for her brother.

  “Are you feeling better, Lia?”

  “Yes, much.”

  “You gave us quite a fright.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

  “Well, you look much better than you did the last time I saw you.”

  “I am. Have you had something to eat?”

  “Not lately.”

  Hunter greeted Miles. “I’ll have the staff prepare the table, then have Cook send in something to eat.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “I’ll be happy to relay the message on the way to my room,” Lia murmured. “You must excuse me, gentlemen. I feel the need to retire.”

  Hunter nodded and Lia left the room. He studied Lia’s brother, curious over the tension he saw in the man’s bearing. “What have you found out?”

  “There are several men staying at the Carbury Inn.” Miles drew a weary hand through his hair and took the seat Hunter offered.

  “That’s not twenty minutes from here. How many?”

  “At least three. Perhaps more. I believe they’ve been sent by your father. They’re asking questions concerning you and my younger sister.”

  “They know about Janice.”

  “Yes. Of course, nobody around here even knows the names. And from what they’re asking, I don’t think they know that Jannie died in childbirth. Or that Lia is here with you. But from their inquiries, I believe your father knows there is a child. They seem to be preparing to travel with an infant.”

  A gasp from the doorway caused the men to turn to see who had overheard their conversation.

  “Frannie?” Hunter said, rising to his feet. “Did you need something?”

  “I was looking for her ladyship.”

  “I think you will find her in the dining room.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Frannie bobbed a polite curtsy, then hurried away.

  “Should we worry?” Miles asked. “Should we tell Lia?”

  Hunter shook his head. “I don’t believe so. She’s going to know soon enough. And if we have to move the child, she will have to go with him.”

  Miles agreed just as Lia re-entered the solarium.

  “Did Frannie find you?” he asked.

  “Yes. It seems your nephew wants more to eat than Frannie can provide,” she said with a smile. “She asked if I thought it would be alright if she fed him a little porridge, or mashed vegetables. As if I’m an expert on raising babies.”

  “You’ve done an admirable job so far, Lia,” Miles said. “Don’t doubt yourself now.”

  “What did you find out, Miles?”

  Miles looked at Hunter for approval to tell Lia what he’d discovered. Hunter nodded. It would be impossible to keep her in the dark. What good would that accomplish?

  “Lord Trentridge has suspected you might be in the area and has sent several men to investigate.”

  The color left Lia’s face and she reached out to steady herself.

  “Lia?” Hunter watched abject fear drain the color from her face and an instant later raced across the floor to re
ach her before she collapsed.

  Chapter 10

  Lia opened her eyes to see Hunter and Miles standing over her.

  “Are you alright?” Hunter asked, kneeling beside the chaise where he’d placed her. He took her hand in his and held it.

  “Don’t worry, Lia. We won’t let him take George.”

  “How are we going to stop him?”

  “I can’t say at this moment,” Hunter answered, “but we’ll keep him at bay. We won’t let him find the babe. It’s hard telling to what lengths he’d go to rid the world of the next Trentridge heir. All I know is that he’d never accept a commoner’s son as his heir. I have no doubt he’ll do anything in his power to keep the Trentridge line pure, even if it means something as drastic as ridding the world of his legal heir.”

  “What of you?” Miles asked. “What if something were to happen to you? Who would your title go to?”

  “A cousin. Winston. Father has always favored him over me.”

  “Surely your father would not harm his only son,” Lia said in disbelief.

  The smile on Hunter’s face sent a chill down her spine.

  “If you think that, you obviously do not know my father. He will do everything in his power when it comes to the Trentridge line.”

  Lia moved restlessly on the chaise. “Help me up. I cannot stand to lie down any longer.”

  Hunter took her hands and helped her sit, then stand. “When is the last time you had anything to eat?”

  Lia shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

  “You may not be hungry, but you have to eat. You’ll become ill if you don’t and you’ll be no use to us or the babe.”

  “You’re right.” She moved with them into the dining room.

  As they ate, Miles tried to keep the conversation neutral. Hunter asked about the events he’d experienced during the war without referring to the more horrendous incidents. When they finished, Hunter’s staff served coffee in the drawing room. Or rather, Lia had coffee while Miles and Hunter had brandy. But nothing seemed able to dull the tension that filled the room, the anxiety lurking just below the surface.

  “I think I should go up to check on George. Frannie should be about to put him down for his afternoon nap.”