Enticing the Earl

“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.

She wasn’t involved.

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?