Enticing the Earl

Perhaps they should return to Hartsfield Park and live a quiet life. He doubted Mia would mind, she had never known anything different. But he wanted more for her. He wanted to show her the wonderful aspects of London, the opera, the theatre, and the lavish parties of the ton.

He stared down at the salmon on his plate and lost his appetite. After what he did five years ago, he didn’t deserve to be accepted back into the fold. If he and Mia continued to socialize with these people, he would be forced to tell her the truth and possibly lose her trust forever. How could he do that?

How could he not, his conscience reminded him. She was his wife and deserved to learn the truth about him. All of it.

Finally, dinner ended and the ladies left for the salon. Trepidation snaked down his back when he thought about Mia being alone with all those women. He hoped his grandmother or Caroline would protect her. A footman placed a brandy in front of him.

“Beautiful wife, Hart,” one older gentleman commented. “She doesn’t look like your typical

lady, though.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t take offense. I meant it as a compliment. I sat next to her at dinner and we had a lovely conversation on investing money. Beauty and intelligence is a rarity. Most men don’t know what’s good for us. Intelligence is what men need in a marriage. Keeps us on our toes and out of other women’s bedrooms.”

Simon relaxed slightly as he sipped his brandy. “Then thank you.”

The conversation turned to the politics of war. Simon excused himself to wander outside for a few moments of privacy. The air had turned cooler as darkness fell over Suffolk. A few leaves crunched under his feet as he walked toward the formal gardens. He found a bench and sat alone wondering how he would tell Mia what had happened.

She would be terrified of him. How could he explain the actions of an angry young man? He couldn’t. He’d never been able to forgive himself for what he’d done to that man. Mia would never understand.

Hearing the crackle of leaves being stomped on, he looked up hoping to see Mia.

“So tell me, my lord,” a soft voice sounded from a few feet away, “does your lovely wife know what you did to my cousin?”

Bloody hell, Baxter’s cousin was here at his sister’s party? What was Caroline thinking? “Excuse me?”

She walked closer. Her blond hair shone in the moonlight. “My cousin. You do remember him, don’t you? The man you almost killed with your bare hands?”

“You are...?”

“Miss Layton, my lord. I had a lovely talk with your wife this evening. I did get the distinct impression she is unaware of your past.” Miss Layton shook her head. “That is not a good way to start a marriage, my lord.”

“Stay away from my wife,” he warned.

“Or what? Will you beat me too?”

“You have no idea what happened that night.”

She laughed in a haughty tone. “Yes, I do. I also know he wasn’t the first fight you had gotten into. I do hope your little bride doesn’t mind the feel of your fists.”

Simon rose to his full height and stared down at the bitch. “I would never hit a woman.” He leaned forward. “No matter how tempting it might be.”

Chapter 23

Mia awoke the next morning feeling groggy and out of sorts. She had stayed awake until after two, waiting for Simon to come to bed so they could talk. At some point, she must have fallen asleep, though she vaguely remembered him drawing her close while in bed. Now it was only eight and he was already gone. She dragged herself out of bed and rang for Lucy to help her dress.

She only had to get through today and then tomorrow was the ball. After the ball, their obligation to Caroline was complete and they could return home. While she enjoyed seeing Caroline and meeting some of her family, last night had been tortuous. The women had been much more gossipy after dinner, talking about everything from which young lady had been deflowered and deserted to who was Middleton’s current mistress. She really didn’t want to hear about Middleton’s current redheaded whore when the man was supposed to be searching for her sister.

Her red-haired sister.

She would kill him if he touched her sister!

Perhaps she could convince Simon that they needed to go to London after this party was over. Then she would find Tia and bring her back to the Midlands where she belonged. A knock disturbed her plotting to kill Middleton.

“Come in, Lucy.”

The door opened and Selina peered inside. “It’s not Lucy. Can I still come in?”