Enticing the Earl (17 page)

He cut off the rest of her sentence with a hard kiss. “Never even think it. You are the woman I want to marry. I could go to London tomorrow and be engaged by the end of the week. But I don’t want one of those women who will demand that we spend months in town and around all those people. I want you.”

Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She had no doubt that she loved him and wanted to be the woman he came to love. “You don’t have to worry about me demanding time in London. I have only been there twice with my father and don’t hold it in the highest of regard.”

“Why not?”

“It’s so crowded and noisy there. Out here, all we hear is the birds and insects. You can’t even hear them in London over the carriages and the people.”

“I have to agree with you on that point. However, there are some beautiful noises in London you can’t hear in Hartsfield.”

Mia tilted her head. “Such as?”

“The opera,” he said wistfully. “While I might not be able to play an instrument, it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate music.”

“I have never been to an opera.”

He smiled down at her. “I shall take you next year.”

“Indeed? The crowds won’t bother you?”

He furrowed his brown. “I can face them for you.”

Mia smiled as her heart swelled. She didn’t think she could be any happier than she was at this moment.

T
he next few days flew in a whirl of dress fittings and preparations for the wedding. By Tuesday, Mia was exhausted and ready for the wedding to be done. They had returned to Mrs. Perkins’s garden only once since their last futile dig. Mia had decided there must be nothing left there. The few pieces she’d found had probably been all there was at the site.

Tomorrow at nine, she would become the Countess of Hartsfield. She walked to the window in her bedchamber and stared out at the twilight sky. Pinks and purple streaks against the darkening sky greeted her. A lone rider headed back toward the stables. In this light, she couldn’t be sure who it might be, but it seemed odd to her. She watched the rider dismount and then toss his reins to the stable boy. As the man strolled toward the house, she realized it was only Charlie out for an evening ride. He stopped at the fountain, brushed dirt off his knees, and then ran his hand through the water. He cupped some water in his hands and splashed his face a few times. She wondered if he’d taken a fall to get so dirty.

With a shrug, she turned away from the window and stared at the ivory silk gown she would get married in tomorrow. It was more beautiful than anything she could have imagined wearing. There were pearls along the neckline of the dress and lace at the cuffs.

A knock scraped the door. “Come in.”

Simon peered into the room with a grin. “May I come in for just a moment?”

“Of course.”

He walked in with a small box in his hands. “I have something for you to wear tomorrow. I heard a rumor you were wearing ivory and thought my grandmother’s pearls would be a nice touch.”

She gasped as the box revealed the most lustrous set of pearls she had ever seen. “Where did you get them?”

“My grandfather bought them as a wedding present for my grandmother.”

“They are beautiful.” She reached out tentatively and touched the smooth jewels. “These are worth a fortune.”

“I am not selling my grandmother’s pearls,” he replied.

“Of course not,” she said with a shake of her head. “But they are too valuable for me to wear.”

“Enough of that talk. You are a countess.”

She looked up at him through her lashes. “I might never get used to that.”

“Yes, you will.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her softly.

Mia wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his. As his tongue touched her, she was lost to the sensual taste of him. She skimmed her hips against his growing erection.

He pushed her away slowly. “Enough of that or I won’t leave you alone tonight.”

She tilted her head and gave him her most seductive smile. “No one said you had to.”

“Tomorrow night as man and wife.”

“Very well, I shall have to wait until then.”

He kissed her cheek. “Good night, Miss Featherstone.”

“Before you go,” she said as he reached for the door, “is Charlie all right?”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw him come in from a ride and he looked dirty like he might have taken a fall.”

Simon frowned. “I shall check on him and let you know if he needs your assistance. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Simon walked down the corridor wondering at Mia’s statement about his brother. Charlie had said he was retiring after dinner. Perhaps he changed his mind. Simon knocked on his brother’s door.

“Come in.”

Simon opened the door and looked inside only to find Charlie in bed with a book. “Are you all right?”

“Of course, just a little tired and thought you might want some privacy with Mia. Why?” He put the book down on the bed.

“Mia thought she’d seen you coming in from an evening ride. She thought you might have been hurt because you were dirty.”

“Strange. I’ve been right here.” He picked up the book and showed him the cover. “Thanks to my future sister-in-law and you, I have picked up the family history journals from the library. Fascinating stories. Did you know that one of our ancestors fought with Henry at Botsworth?”

Simon laughed. “I really should read those books sometime. I had never heard that.”

“When I’m done, I’ll let you read them.”

“Excellent. Have a good night, then.”

“You too.”

Simon left his brother and wondered again at Mia. His brother looked as if he hadn’t moved since climbing into bed three hours ago. She wouldn’t have lied about seeing him and had genuinely seemed concerned about Charlie. Simon walked downstairs to the footman at the door.

“Thomas, did someone arrive on horseback?”

“No, my lord. No one has come or gone from this door since Mrs. Featherstone left before dinner.”

“Thank you.” He retired to his study and poured a small glass of brandy. Tomorrow morning he would finally be marrying the woman he’d loved for years. And yet, there was still a small part of him that questioned her involvement in what had happened over the past few weeks. Tanner still believed she might be part of this scheme, whatever the scheme might be. If that were true, marrying her could be a mistake unlike any he’d ever made.

He would marry her tomorrow and all would be well.

The day of her wedding dawned cool and dreary. Mia shook off the coverlet, then wished she could lie in her bed all day. It was only six but already her nerves were strung taut. She could do this... it was just a title. She would make Simon happy to have chosen her as his wife. The wife part would be easy, it was the countess part that frightened her.

She couldn’t help but feel as if something was missing. While she loved Selina like a sister, Tia should be standing next to her when she said her vows this morning. She rested her head on the window and wondered where her sister might be at this moment. Did she sense that her twin was marrying?

Somehow, Mia doubted that. Tia had always been a little more self-centered and stubborn. But Mia still missed her dreadfully today.

The next three hours flew so fast that before she knew it, she was walking down the aisle toward a completely new life. Simon smiled at her as she reached the altar. A few words, a ring and she was the Countess of Hartsfield.

They walked down the aisle toward the entrance of the church in Cheadle where their family and friends waited for them.

Her mother brought her into her arms and hugged her tight. “Congratulations,
my lady
.”

Mia was officially a countess. A shiver of nervousness raced up her arms. “Thank you, Mama. I just wish Tia could have been here with me.”

“Hush, Middleton will find her and bring her back home.”

She nodded. “I hope so.”

The wedding party arrived back at Hartsfield Park to a sumptuous wedding breakfast. Mia had never seen so much food laid out for people. She sat at the end of the table opposite Simon. They had barely had a word since the wedding. As conversations whirled around her, Mia could only stare at her handsome new husband. He leaned his head closer to hear what Selina had said to him and then small dimples creased his cheeks.

How had Mia become so lucky to gain his attentions? He had only proposed to keep her safe but she wondered if he would come to love her. She still questioned why he had thought marriage would keep her safe. Just staying at the house would have been enough. She could have even become his mistress. There was no need for marriage.

As the afternoon wore on, their few guests slowly filtered out until it was just Simon and Mia. Even Charlie had decided to head to London to give them privacy. She would have to thank him for that when she saw him next.

Simon handed her a sherry and sat across from her in the salon. He lifted his glass and said, “To many happy years.”

Mia smiled and raised her glass in salute. The nutty taste washed over her tongue and warmed her on this dreary day.

“We shall leave for Suffolk on Friday,” Simon announced after a sip.

“Of course.” Why did their conversation seem so stilted today?

“I already wrote to Caroline and told her you would need a dressmaker while visiting.”

“If you insist.”

“You know I do.” Simon finished his sherry and stared at her. “Are you nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous?”

“About tonight?”

Mia laughed softly. “I do believe we have already done this once. Why would I be nervous?”

His eyes narrowed on her. “I’m not quite sure. All I know is ever since I saw you walking down the aisle in that silk dress I have wanted to take it off you.”

“Indeed? And why is that?” she asked in a seductive voice.

“So I can see you naked. Kiss every inch of your soft skin. Watch your face as you reach your climax and follow you over the edge of pleasure.”

Mia attempted to swallow but her mouth went dry. “Would it be terribly rude if we asked for a tray in your bedchamber instead of eating in the dining room?”

“I already told Harris that is exactly what we would do.” He rose with a grin and held out his hand to her. “Shall we make this official, Countess?”

Make what official? “I beg your pardon?”

“Our marriage. We must consummate it.” He pulled her against his hard chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he brought her against the hardness in his breeches. “And soon or I will explode from wanting you so desperately.”

“We would not want that to happen.” Mia turned out of his arms with a smile. “I shall go make myself ready.”

“Do not remove that dress,” he warned as she reached the door. “I will do that.”

“As you wish, my lord. But the same goes for you. I will undress you.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

Mia walked up the steps wondering why he wasn’t immediately following her. If she couldn’t put on the sheer nightclothes made for tonight, what was she to do? She looked at the few items on his dressing table. Lifting the cork out of one bottle, she inhaled the spicy scent that was pure Simon.

“What are you doing?”

She turned at the sound of his voice. “I love this scent.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

The room closed in on them as he stepped close. “I’m so glad you didn’t take your hair down.”

“Why?”

He reached behind her and withdrew one pin. “Because I want to do that too.” He slowly pulled each pin out of her hair until it cascaded down her back. “You have the most glorious brown hair.”

“But it’s brown.” She had always envied her sister’s fiery red hair.

“And filled with streaks of gold.” He cupped her face with his large hands and kissed her slowly, languidly.

Mia savored the heat of his kisses but desired so much more. She backed away before smiling at him. “I don’t believe you will need this on.” She skimmed her hands up his chest and then slid his jacket off his broad shoulders. She unbuttoned his gold waistcoat but before she could remove it, Simon ripped it off.

He then untied his cravat. Mia pushed his hands away when he tried to unwrap it from his neck.

“I am supposed to be undressing you, remember?”

“You are taking far too long,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this night?”

Wasn’t it only a week? “Hush, and enjoy the anticipation.” She went to work on his crisp white shirt next. After it was lying on the floor with the other pieces of clothing, she stared at his hard chest. The man was lined with muscles unlike any man she had ever seen. She traced her nails down his chest until he hissed.

“Turn around now,” he demanded.

Once she did, he moved her hair out of the way and set to work on the pearl buttons of her gown.

“I want to rip this off you,” he whispered.

“Don’t you dare!”

He nipped her neck with his teeth. “I won’t.”

Gently, he slid the gown off her and tossed it on a chair. Her stays hit the floor seconds later. Only then did he turn her back around to face him. He leaned back against the bedpost.