The Heir

“You know you like kissing me, and I…”

“Yes?”

“I like kissing you, as well,” she admitted on a brittle smile.

“Give me some time, A

“You want me for a mistress,” she said, “but I will not take your coin.”

“I am asking,” he said with great patience, “the opportunity to gain a place in your affections, A

Was he asking for an affair? She should refuse him even that, but it was all too tempting.

“I will think about it, though I believe it best if I pursue another position. And no matter what, you mustn’t be seen to embarrass me with your attentions.”

“I will draft you a glowing character,” the earl said, his eyes hooded, “but you must agree to give me at least the summer to change your mind.”

“Write the character.” A

“I would not disrespect you, and I would never get a bastard on any woman, A

“Were you to get a bastard on me, we would be forced to wed. I ca

His expression changed, becoming thoughtful.

“So if I were to get you pregnant, you would marry me?”

A

He sat down beside her and took her hand, and she sensed his mind begi

He drew a pattern over her knuckles. “I am not your enemy, and I never will be.”

She nodded, not arguing. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side.

“You are not my enemy,” A

“I will be your very discreet suitor for the summer, and then we will see where we are. We are agreed on this.” He voice was purposeful, as if he’d finished exploring the challenge before him and was ready to vanquish it.

“We are agreed,” A

And in the alternative, she needed the time to grieve and to hoard up for herself the bittersweet procession of moments like this, when he held her and comforted her and reminded her of all she could not have.

They stayed like that, sitting side by side for a long time, the only sound the rain pelting against the windows. After a time, Westhaven got up and looked around the room.

“I will go check on Pericles. I am thinking I should also lay a fire in here, as the rain does not appear to be moving off.”

“Lay a fire? We have hours of light yet,” A

He pursed his lips, obviously unwilling to argue. A

They spent the next hour retrieving more blankets and the medical bag kept in the gig, then, as the rain had not let up, filling up the wood boxes in the library. The earl split logs from a supply on the back porch, and A

He returned to the library where A

“I should not be chilled,” he mused. “I’ve just hefted an ax for the first time in several years, but I find I am a trifle cold.”

Unusual, A

“I’ll light your fire,” A

“And I will forage for a piece of marzipan.”

“There should be plenty,” A

He found the marzipan, taking two pieces, and then the lemonade.

“So where should we sleep?” he asked, glancing around the room as he chomped on his candy.

“At home, I hope.”

The earl gave her a quelling look. “I did not plan this weather.”

“No, you did not, but if we stay here alone overnight, my reputation will be in tatters.”

“And you still would not marry me?”

“England is a big place. A tattered reputation in London can easily be mended in Manchester.”

“You would flee?”

“I would have to.”

“I would not allow that, A

“As you did for Elise?” A

“I’m going to check on the horse again,” he said, “and bring in the last of the supplies from the gig, just in case the rain doesn’t stop soon.” A

Westhaven did check on the horse and stepped out under the stables’ overhang to relieve himself, undoing his breeches and taking his cock in hand. His throat was scratchy from all their talking, and hefting the ax had set up an ache in his muscles that was equally unwelcome. A

But then he looked down at himself and smiled, recalling the day’s earlier pleasures. A

He tossed Pericles a small mountain of hay, topped off the water bucket from the cistern, and retrieved the provisions from the gig. On the way back to the house, he began to plan the seduction of his future wife, pausing to pluck her a single rose just as the sky opened up with a renewed downpour.

They dined on leftovers from the hamper, shared the lemonade, and talked by the fire as the light began to wane. He rubbed her back, held her hand, and avoided discussing the need to spend the night in the deserted house.

A

Thank you, God, the earl thought. His A

“The master bedroom comes to mind,” the earl suggested. “The bed there was probably built where it stands and conveys with the house. The room was clean enough, but it will be cold without a fire.”

“We can haul enough wood up there to get the room warmed up,” A