Beguiling the Earl (23 page)

He shook his head slightly as if to clear it. “Nicholas won’t stop to hear our news if he finds us in a passionate embrace.” He looked toward the door, a slight frown on his brow as she took a step back. “I’m surprised he hasn’t already barged in here.”

Catherine already missed Kerrick’s touch. “Louisa probably distracted him. She’s very good at that.”

A fond smile crossed his face. “The Evans sisters appear to have that in common.”

His obvious affection for her sister reminded her of how close the two had seemed when he’d stayed at Overlea Manor. She took a deep breath and asked the final question she needed answered. “You’ll tell me what happened between the two of you last year?” She hesitated before continuing. “At times I feared you and Louisa were more than friends.”

“No, never that,” he said, taking her hand and squeezing it in reassurance. “I know it appeared that way and I’ll tell you everything when we have more time. I think we’re going to need to share our news, though. Your sister won’t be able to hold Nicholas back for very long. He’s very protective of you.”

Catherine nodded, but her eyes were drawn to the window and the extravagant, yet impractical, gift he had sent. He must have seen her disappointment.

“You don’t like the orange tree?”

“It’s lovely and so rare in England. I can’t believe you managed to get Mr. Clifton to part with it.”

“It wasn’t faring well there. I assured him that you would be able to nurse it back to health.”

It was clear he didn’t realize she wouldn’t be able to do that. “The light isn’t any stronger at Overlea Manor. The conservatory has the same large windows as those at the orangery. If we keep it there, the tree will eventually go into decline. We will have to find another home for it.”

“I never intended for the tree to go to your sister and brother-in-law.”

There was a gleam in his eye and her heart rate sped up. “But your estate—”

“Doesn’t have a conservatory, no. But I have made arrangements for an architect to visit within the week. I plan to put in a proper greenhouse. Of course, my future wife will have the last say about its design.”

She squealed and threw herself into his arms, no longer caring that her sister and brother-in-law might walk in at any moment. Kerrick clearly felt the same way because when she lifted her face, eager for his kiss, he accepted her invitation. And this time he didn’t hold back from showing her just how much he’d missed her.

THE END

Rose and Brantford's story continues in
The Unaffected Earl
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Thank you for reading
Beguiling the Earl
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The head gardener at Kew Gardens at the time this story takes place was William Townsend Aiton. I wasn’t sure how much of a day-to-day role he had at Kew Gardens—he was also in charge of the gardens at Kensington and Buckingham Palaces—so I decided to invent the character of George Clifton to act in the role of head gardener.

The history of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is very rich, and I could only touch on it briefly. When one considers that history, it is not hard to understand why Catherine Evans was so eager to visit. Kew Gardens had already gained international recognition during the 1800s because of its large collection of exotic plants.

That was due in large part to botanist Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who was President of the Royal Society for over forty-one years. He made various overseas plant-hunting expeditions himself and financed other voyages. In fact, during the early 1800s, all ships that returned from British colonies brought with them plant specimens for Kew Gardens.

Also, yes, I included another waltz in this book even though such an intimate dance was not common in London in 1807. I hope you’ll forgive the creative liberty I took in including it here.

If you’d like to learn more about my books, please visit my website at
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Thank you again for reading Catherine and Kerrick’s story. I hope you enjoyed their journey and I hope you join me for the next book!

Suzanna

ISBN # 9780991823765

Copyright © 2014 Saozinha Medeiros

Cover design © Kim Killion

Edited by Victory Editing

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Where such permission is sufficient, the author grants the right to strip any DRM which may be applied to this work

Dear Stranger

Landing a Lord series

Dancing with the Duke

Loving the Marquess

Beguiling the Earl

The Unaffected Earl—coming soon

Hathaway Heirs

Lady Hathaway’s Indecent Proposal

Lord Hathaway’s New Bride—coming soon

Suzanna Medeiros was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love for the written word led her to pursue a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree, but graduated at a time when no teaching jobs were available. After working at a number of interesting places, including a federal inquiry, a youth probation office, and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, she decided to pursue her first love—writing.

Suzanna is married to her own hero and is the proud mother of twin daughters. She is an avowed romantic who enjoys spending her days writing love stories.

She would like to thank her parents for showing her that love at first sight and happily ever after really do exist.