The Earl's Secret Bargain Read online

  “I’m not sure this is a good place to do this,” she murmured, though she didn’t sound as if she wanted him to stop.

  “I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” he assured her and pulled her closer.

  This time, he brought his mouth to hers. She responded to him, parting her lips as he wished, and he interlaced his tongue with hers. She moaned and leaned into him, just as intent on exploring him as he was in exploring her.

  Clasping her hips, he pulled her to him, his arousal pressing nicely against her. She didn’t shy away from him but instead seemed to encourage him by snuggling even closer. A low groan escaped his throat as he ran his hands along her body. Even with the layers of clothes she had on, there was no denying how delightful she was.

  His lips left hers, and he proceeded to kiss her chin, her cheek, and the skin just below her ear. Her grip tightened on his arms, notifying him that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He brought his hands to her breasts and caressed them. He loved how they felt. Soft and full in his hands. She let out another moan. How he loved her. All of her. Her wit, her inner fire, her passion. She was everything a gentleman could want and more. And it was so much better now that she’d completely opened herself to him.

  She giggled. “Did you want to go back inside?”

  “No,” he whispered, out of breath. “I want to show you how much fun it can be to dip your bare feet in cool water on a hot day.”

  “Seems to me like you’d rather be dipping something else in another place.” She wiggled her abdomen against his erection, and he groaned.

  “Don’t worry. I fully intend to have my way with you later. But,” keeping his arm around her waist, he led her down the stream, “right now, I want you to experience the freedom of being out here where there’s only you and nature.”

  “And you.”

  “Well, yes. That’s true.” Noting the way she examined her surroundings, he asked, “Didn’t you ever do something like this when you were a child?”

  “No. My mother would never have approved.”

  “Hmm.” He guided her further down the stream. “I would have thought you were the rebellious sort. You aren’t fond of rules, and yet, you seem to follow them.”

  “As a child, I would have thought this kind of thing unnecessary. Dipping my feet in water outdoors makes no sense when I could do it at home.”

  “Not everything has to make sense. Sometimes it’s all right to do something for the sake of having fun.”

  “I bet kissing a lady while out here barefoot is more fun than running out here when you were a child.”

  “That’s true. This is a lot more enjoyable. And who knows? Maybe it’ll be a romantic place for us,” he suggested with a smile.

  Returning his smile, she turned her attention to the path in front of them. They stayed there for a good half hour, sometimes stopping to kiss, before they decided to go back to the manor, but only because it was time to change and get ready for dinner.

  When they got to the stables, he was surprised to see that Orlando’s carriage was nearby.

  “Who is it?” she asked him as he helped her down the horse.

  “My friend, Orlando,” he replied. “He said he’d be by to visit, but I didn’t think it’d be so soon. I thought he’d want to stay in London until September.”

  “Maybe he missed you. I know I would if you were gone.”

  Pleased, he kissed her despite the fact that the stable boy was right there unsaddling the horses. “I’m glad you’d miss me.”

  “And what about you?” she asked, her eyes twinkling. “Would you miss me?”

  “Terribly.”

  Her smile widened, and he took her by the arm and led her to the manor. As they neared the front door, he saw Orlando wave through the window of the drawing room. With a grin, he returned the gesture and told her, “There he is.”

  She glanced at the window. “I don’t think I said much more to him than a couple words in the past.”

  “Good. He happens to be a likable fellow. I’d hate for you to have fallen in love with him instead of me.”

  She giggled as they walked up the steps.

  As soon as the footman opened the door, Orlando entered the entryway. “I was beginning to think you fell into that stream you like to go to.”

  Toby caught the way Regina raised her eyebrow and said, “He used to go down there with me when we were children.”

  “Yes, and here I thought being a married gentleman would make you put away childish things,” Orlando joked.

  “I don’t recall there being a rule that says gentlemen can’t take off their boots and enjoy a relaxing walk in the stream.” Since Regina’s cheeks grew pink, he decided to change the conversation. Most likely, she didn’t want anyone to know she’d joined him in that walk because she didn’t want them to know she’d taken off her stockings outdoors. “Regina, I believe you remember Orlando from our wedding.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, my lord,” she said with a curtsy.

  “And it’s a pleasure to see you again as well, my lady,” Orlando said with a bow.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I change for dinner,” she said, glancing at Toby.

  “Go on ahead. I’ll change in a little while.”

  With a nod, she told Orlando she’d talk to him later and headed for the stairs.

  Toby turned to Orlando and gestured to the drawing room. “How long have you been here?”

  “About forty-five minutes.”

  Toby saw the butler had already brought him tea and scones. “I’m sorry you waited for such a long time. Had I any idea you were coming so soon, I would have been here.” He sat down and poured himself and Orlando a cup of tea.

  “To be fair, I didn’t give you any warning. I hadn’t intended to stop by so soon, but since I was on my way to my estate, I thought I’d come by and see how things are going. You know, with you and Regina.”

  “I didn’t realize you worried about us.”

  “I wouldn’t say ‘worried’. It was more of a concern.” He sat in the other chair and accepted the cup of tea. “You’re my friend. Of course, I wondered how you were doing. I thought I’d offer my assistance if needed. You know, assure her that things weren’t the way Pennella was trying to make them seem. But from what I saw, you two have already worked through everything.”

  “Yes, we have. She’s a very forgiving lady.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Toby drank his tea and glanced at his friend. “How long will you stay?”

  “I won’t be more than two days. I don’t want to intrude on a couple in love.”

  Toby grinned. “I had no idea love could feel so wonderful.”

  “I can tell. You never smiled that way around me. I must say I’m hurt. I thought our friendship meant something.”

  Laughing, Toby put his cup down and motioned for him to stand up. “I’ll show you to your room. You’ll be happy to see everything has finally been dusted.”

  “What a relief. I don’t want to wake up covered in cobwebs again.”

  “No, you don’t,” Toby replied, playing along. “Last time you were here, it took me a whole three days before I found you. At first, I thought you were a great big caterpillar trapped in a cocoon.”

  “Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about that this time.”

  With another chuckle, Toby showed him to his room.

  ***

  When Regina finished getting ready for dinner, she went to the drawing room and was surprised to see Orlando sitting alone with a book. “Good evening, Orlando,” she said as he glanced up at her. “I thought Toby would be down here already.”

  “I’m afraid not. They say ladies take forever to get ready, but honestly, I’d say he’s worse.”

  She chuckled at his joke and sat on the settee. Since Orlando was Toby’s friend, she thought it was only fair to spend time with him and get to know him. Toby spoke so highly of him that she figured he was the k
ind of person who’d make a good friend. “I hope you had a pleasant trip out here.”

  “I did.” He set the book aside and added, “I only plan to be here for two days. I’m on my way to my estate. It’s about half a day from here.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to leave on my account. You and Toby have been friends for a long time. You should play chess or talk or do whatever else it is gentlemen do.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I think he’d rather spend his time with you.”

  Her face warmed with pleasure at his words. And to think when she left London, she had been afraid of what being alone here with Toby would mean. But now she found she’d be very happy if they never went to London again. Well, except perhaps to see her parents. That was the only thing that could lure her back.

  She cleared her throat and smiled at him. “Toby said that you two have known each other since childhood.”

  “Our parents were friends who’d get together from time to time. I believe we were actually babies when we first met.”

  “That long ago?”

  “To be fair, I don’t remember the actual event, but I remember my mother saying I could stink up a room. No need to fear, my lady. I have since learned to avoid such embarrassing mishaps.”

  She laughed. “I can see why Toby likes you. You have a marvelous sense of humor.”

  “I try to see the best in things.”

  “I’d say you succeed very well.”

  After a moment of silence passed between them, he asked, “So is everything all right between you and my friend?”

  She didn’t catch his meaning right away, but when she did, she nodded. “Yes. It’s not like it was when we married.”

  “Good. One of the reasons I came by was to assure you that despite that wager my friend made with Pennella, he really did love you.”

  “Did he?” She had hoped that was the case, but it was nice to hear.

  “He did. Not that he planned to when he picked you. His original plan was to protect you from Pennella and quietly let you out of the engagement. But before long, he realized he wanted to marry you. I just wanted you to know it wasn’t as heartless as it seemed.”

  “Thank you, Orlando.” Even if she had overcome most of her doubts about the wager, this helped to resolve all of them once and for all. “Toby’s fortunate to have such a good friend.”

  “You know, I tell him that all the time, and he doesn’t believe me.”

  She laughed at his joke then noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. She glanced at the doorway and saw Toby.

  “I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” Toby said.

  “Don’t be.” She waved him over to sit by her. “It gave me a chance to get to know your friend under better conditions.”

  Toby settled next to her and clasped his hand around hers. “I hope he didn’t tell you nonsense like waking up covered in cobwebs last time he stayed here.”

  Her eyes wide, she looked at Orlando. “Did that really happen?”

  Orlando laughed. “No, but I was afraid it would happen. Fortunately, this place is in much better shape than it used to be.”

  “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be when he warned me about it,” she told Orlando.

  The butler came into the room and announced that dinner was ready. Accepting Toby’s arm, she rose to her feet and joined the gentlemen as they left the room.

  Chapter TwentyThree

  The next afternoon, Toby glanced up from the book he was reading in the drawing room while Orlando taught Regina how to play chess. Though he played the game from time to time, he had no interest in playing it enough to teach it to her. But since she had expressed the desire to learn it, he couldn’t say no when Orlando offered to show her what to do. And that had been all fine and good until Toby realized she was laughing at all the amusing stories Orlando insisted on telling her. If Toby had known his friend was going to be so charming, he would have taught her the boring thing himself.

  “I don’t believe that at all,” she said, laughing while she moved her pawn forward.

  “I might have exaggerated just a little,” Orlando consented. “Toby did scream and run into the drawing room. But in all fairness, he did think the snake was a common adder.”

  Toby grimaced. “Must you tell her that story?”

  “She’s already seen your birthmark,” Orlando replied and shrugged.

  “Yes, and thanks to you for slipping a snake into my tub, everyone else who happened to be here that day knows about it, too.”

  “You were only eight. No one can fault you for rushing out of your room without covering up first. Now,” Orlando moved his bishop diagonally on the board, “if you were to do that today, it’d be something to really talk about.”

  She chuckled then glanced at Toby and cleared her throat. “You must not tell such stories, Orlando. It’s not nice. Toby hasn’t told me your most embarrassing moments, so it’s not fair you do that to him.”

  “He should tell you. There are some good ones.” Orlando winked at Toby. “Do you want to tell her about the time I greeted Lady Westfell by the wrong title?”

  Her eyebrows rose in interest, but Toby shook his head. “Not really.” He turned his attention back to the book. “You do it.”

  “What title did you call her?” she asked Orlando.

  “Lady Wasteful. It was an error. I was nervous.”

  “Well, she was wasteful,” Toby added. “She never wore the same clothes twice, would ask for a large plate of food and only eat a couple bites, and…” When he realized Orlando was telling Regina to move the knight over two squares instead of one, he stopped talking.

  “Now, move it up or down,” Orlando said once she moved it over another square.

  She moved the knight down and nodded. Then she looked over at Toby. “What were you saying about Lady Westfell?”

  “Nothing,” he finally said after a quick debate over whether or not he should make the effort to repeat himself. What did it matter? Between the two of them, Orlando always had a better way of telling a story.

  He turned his attention back to the book but read very little of it. As much as he tried not to let their constant chatter about everything but chess bother him, the longer the game went, the harder it was for him to sit still. He knew Orlando would never sleep with her, and he didn’t think she was the type who’d take a lover. But he couldn’t help but wonder if she secretly wished she had married Orlando instead of him. Orlando wasn’t deceitful like Pennella, but he was definitely charming.

  When they finally decided they’d had enough of chess, it was time to change for dinner, and he sighed with relief and escorted her to her bedchamber.

  ***

  During dinner, Regina kept glancing at Toby. What was wrong with him? He’d been relaxed the previous evening while they ate. He’d even been talkative that morning. But at some point in the afternoon, he’d become withdrawn, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. Surely, he’d be happy to have his friend here. But the longer into the day they got, the less he engaged in the conversation. She felt it was up to her to respond to Orlando just so he had someone to talk to.

  She finally realized what was bothering Toby when she laughed at one of the amusing stories Orlando told her. In her desire to get along with Toby’s friend, she must have unintentionally done or said something that made Toby worry she’d rather be married to Orlando than him.

  When dinner was over, she thanked both gentlemen for a lovely evening and feigned a headache so she could let them spend the rest of their evening without her. In light of everything, she sensed it was her best recourse. She retired to her bedchamber and let her lady’s maid get her ready for bed.

  But instead of going to sleep, she curled up on her settee by the window and read a book she’d been meaning to get to for a while. Just as she reached the fifth chapter, she heard a movement from Toby’s bedchamber and knew he had retired for the evening. She waited until she heard his valet leave befor
e she knocked on the door adjoining their rooms.

  He opened the door, his eyes wide. “I thought you’d be asleep.”

  “No, I just thought it best if I come up here early and read.” She motioned to his room. “Mind if I come in?”

  “Of course not.” He stepped aside to let her in. He shut the door and turned to her. “Do you feel better?”

  “I feel fine. I didn’t have a headache.”

  “Then why did you say you had one?”

  She clasped her hands in front of her and smiled at him. “Because I thought it best, given the circumstances.”

  “The circumstances?”

  “Toby, I want to apologize for spending so much time with Orlando.”

  He let out an uneasy chuckle and headed over to the table. “Orlando’s our guest. You were only being polite.”

  “Yes. But he’s also your friend, and I wanted to get to know him because of that. So in the future,” she continued as he lit the candles, “we’d both get to welcome him as our friend.”

  “That’s understandable.”

  “In my eagerness to get along with him, I might have overdone it.”

  He glanced at her. “Orlando’s always been good with people. He makes them feel comfortable. It’s only natural you liked him.”

  With a sigh, she watched as he went to the window and started pulling the drapes together. “I do like him, and I’m glad I like him because he’s your friend. But,” she went over to him and placed her hand on his arm, “I love you.”

  ***

  Her meaning took a moment to sink in, and when it did, Toby suddenly felt foolish for thinking she had wished she’d married Orlando instead of him. Because he could see she didn’t. She loved him. And only him.

  Relieved, he took her into his arms and kissed her. She slid her arms under his and leaned into him, her breasts pressing against his chest. Since she was wearing her nightclothes, it afforded a much better feel of her body. He ran his hands down her back and cupped her behind in his hands. She wiggled against him, her abdomen rubbing intimately against his erection. Having not made love to her earlier that day, the kiss made him that much more eager to be with her. Letting go of her, he removed their clothes so there would be nothing else separating them. He took a moment to gaze at her body in the candlelight, noting the way her breath quickened and her skin flushed at his perusal.