Free Her Errant Earl by Scarlett Scott Page B

take our walk, shall we?
If we linger another minute, I fear I’ll take you here in the grass like a
common stable boy.”
    A mixture of disappointment and relief speared her. She took
his proffered arm and started off with him. Thankfully, she’d worn a pair of
serviceable boots. Otherwise, her shoes would have been ruined by the uneven,
damp ground. At least she could maintain her sanity when he wasn’t kissing her,
she reasoned.
    “It’s a lovely day,” she murmured, opting for a safer
subject. And it truly was. While she’d only grown accustomed to English weather
slowly, she was beginning to admire it for its dramatic, often mercurial
nature. Everything seemed so much more vibrant, greener, and more alive than
New York. She found, much to her surprise, that she preferred the country to
the city.
    “Fair weather today indeed,” he agreed, his tone light and
affable.
    One almost wouldn’t guess he had nearly been about to make
love to her in the weeds. But Victoria knew, and it still sent a raging fire
through her blood. She tried to focus on the scenery, the lush trees and
verdant fields. In the distance, sheep grazed in a pastoral setting. The result
was quite picturesque, even if she continued to catch herself stealing sidelong
glances at her husband’s handsome profile.
    “Where are you taking me?” she had to ask. He was guiding
her down a path that seemed to lead nowhere, but she followed because she
supposed he knew where he was going. Didn’t he?
    “To the river, my dear.” He patted the hand that rested in
the crook of his elbow. “You’ve appallingly little faith in your husband, have
you not?”
    She bit her lip as she mulled over how to answer that
particular question. The truth was that she had faith and yet she did not. Just
when she trusted, it seemed she ought not to do so. He was a conundrum indeed.
    “On second thought, leave whatever’s rattling about in your
pretty head unspoken.” He sighed. “I can tell from your expression that it
won’t be anything I’d prefer to hear.”
    She cocked her head, considering him as they continued to
tramp on. “I won’t say it then.”
    “Good.” His grip on her tightened. “Tell me something I
don’t already know.”
    Victoria laughed. “Have you anything in mind?”
    “My dear girl, how can I have ought in mind when I don’t
know it yet?”
    Another burst of laughter escaped her. He could be rather
entertaining when he chose, and his charm seemed effortless. “What interests
you? That is what I meant to say.”
    “Hmm.” He looked down at her, his eyes dancing with merry
blue light. “What of your family? How many siblings have you?”
    She pursed her lips. He ought to have known. “I told you
while we were courting. Don’t you remember?”
    His expression clouded. “Ah, yes. There are five of you,
aren’t there?”
    “Six,” she corrected, her tone tart. He hadn’t listened to a
word she’d ever said, had he?
    “Just so.” He cleared his throat. “Felicitations on your new
sibling.”
    “Libby is twelve years old,” she pointed out unkindly.
    “Christ,” he muttered, abruptly halting their walk to face
her and take both her hands in his. He was very serious as he gazed down upon
her, his face stark with masculine beauty. “I have a confession to make, my
dear. I wasn’t a good suitor to you. If you were speaking, chances are strong I
wasn’t listening. Pray don’t hate me for it, but there it is.”
    She had suspected as much by now, but his admission
nevertheless stung. “I don’t hate you,” she allowed, “but I must admit I’m not
terribly impressed. Am I so boring then?”
    “Not at all.” He squeezed her fingers, trapped as they were in
his large grasp. “It is merely that I was that much of an ass.”
    No point in saving him the shame, she decided. For the first
time in his life, it was time he paid what was due. “You were.”
    He brought her hands to his lips for a pair of kisses that
sent