My Earl's Entrapment (Wicked Lords of London 3)

“I think so,” his lips opened to add, my love, to the end. Love? Why would he think a word like that? He didn’t love anyone. Even his parents. They’d bore him because it was their duty to do so and they’d raised him for the same reason. They hadn’t been cruel, not even unkind. Just distant.

Without warning, she reached up and wrapped her arms about his neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed closely as she squeezed him. Lightly, she placed her lips against his. “Thank you for giving me hope.”

Then she unwound her arms from his neck and cracked open the door. Before he could say another word, Rose slipped out of the room. He had the distinct feeling that he didn’t want her to leave, that he’d like to keep her there forever. How absurd. Even if he hadn’t just considered marriage, this courtship was as fake as the rest of his life.

Chapter Six

Rose stood on the drive as the carriage came to a stop. Strictly speaking, guests were not required to greet other guests, though it was polite. A fact for which she had never been more grateful. She would not have missed this introduction for all the world.

Someone gave her back a subtle brush. She knew it was Will without looking. No one else touched her so and even if they did, her body tightened with anticipation, recognizing his touch.

Will…he was confusing her to no end. Half the time, her rational mind swore she shouldn’t trust him, while her more emotional side wanted to launch into his arms and stay there.

Thoughts of Lord and Lady Bridgeton flooded her mind as they exited the carriage. Lord Bridgeton was a portly fellow, balding and wearing spectacles. She nearly choked b

ecause he looked very nearly as she’d pictured Will might before she’d met him.

Even more astonishing was Lady Bridgeton. Twenty years younger than her husband, she was even more stunning than the widow, Lady Ashburn. Tall and fair the woman sparkled as she moved, a graceful smile set upon her perfect lips.

In fact, she was so beautiful Rose nearly missed the sparkling earbobs decorating her tiny ears. Rose would recognize those stones anywhere. A nauseating sensation spilled into her stomach. They were her mother’s.

A broken gasp fell from her lips before she could hold it in and her knees wobbled, threatening to cease supporting her.

“Rose?” Will’s voice was close to her ear, its deep rumble holding the question he didn’t actually ask. He placed his hand at her back again, holding her up. Thankfully, they were toward the back of the group and no one glanced back.

She turned to look at him, words failing her. His forehead creased and his mouth turned down as he looked at her. Somehow, his worry made her relax. Will would help her. “Her ears,” she mumbled.

He looked up and she watched his frown deepen. “Bloody hell,” he murmured.

“Exactly,” she replied. “What are we going to do?”

“You are going to dance and dine, and enjoy yourself.” He gave her waist a little squeeze. “I actually hope she’s got the entire set here. It will make our search easier.”

She started. To have the jewels back by the end of this trip? In her wildest dreams she’d pictured searching Will’s room and finding them there. But she’d never actually expected to find them here. Seeing them again brought a vision of her mother dressed to go out in the evening adorned with the jewels. Her memories sharpened as though her mother stood in front of her again. Rose reached her hand to grab Will’s. Thankfully they were toward the back of the group and no one seemed to notice. “Do you really think you could get them back?”

“Yes.” He was still leaning close to her ear. “Do you think you can stay out of trouble?”

That made her smile. Honestly, probably not. Though she did trust him far more than she had this morning but this investigation still belonged to her and, well, it was quite fun. With Will helping, she had this feeling that he’d keep her from any real trouble. When had this happened? When had she started believing in him? “I’ll do my best.”

He chuckled. “Remember the price if you don’t.”

She remembered. She thought about the feel of his lips, the things he’d said to her. Intelligent, he called her. Beautiful as well. “Hmmmm,” she murmured. “That would be dreadful.”

He gave her a grin but eased his hand from her waist. Part of her wanted to pull his hand back but that would be a foolish thing to do. Someone would notice.

Instead, the group moved inside and Rose did her best not to stare. It was terribly difficult. Those were her earrings, her family’s heirlooms, that that woman wore. The nerve.

Will said little and he didn’t touch her again which was for the best, though it also filled her with disappointment.

Several of the guests were greeting the newest members of the party when her father stepped up to her right.

“Are the last of the guests arriving?” he asked jovially. “It is Friday. Lord and Lady Perrault have been rather generous in allowing so many people to arrive so early.”

“Indeed they have,” Will answered in his usual affable tone. How did he do that? How did he keep his voice so calm and steady no matter the circumstance? “I’ve been friends with them for years and their generosity never ceases to amaze me.”

Lord and Lady Bridgeton approached and Rose’s spine straightened. She wished she’d asked him for lessons on how to remain so even-tempered. Right now, it was a chore just keeping the smile upon her face. How would she speak?

A piece of her wanted to scream, those are mine, and rip them from the other woman’s head. She would, of course, ruin her reputation completely, but it might be worth it. A quick glance at Will and she gave it a second thought. His brow furrowed as he gave his head a subtle shake.