Page 33 of The Earl Next Door
Adeline understood perfectly what Mrs. Tallon was saying and probably should have told her about Fanny slipping out of the schoolhouse the day she wandered into the garden. But Adeline really didn’t want to get the little girl into more trouble.
“I know how disconcerting it must be to suddenly realize one of the girls is not with you and you don’t know where she is. I agree Fanny and everyone must abide by your rules and always stay with the others.”
“She might be a willful child. They are clever and can quickly learn how to control others and lead them astray, too. She needs to be dealt with in a strict manner now so as not to influence anyone else later. If I’m to be in charge I must… be in charge.”
The wordstrictwasn’t to Adeline’s liking, but she couldn’t disagree with Mrs. Tallon’s assessment of the situation so she asked, “What is your recommendation for a suitable punishment?”
“That she write her numbers and all her letters an extra fifty times each day. It should keep her busy so she won’t have time to go wandering off while I’mhelping the girls who are struggling to cope with being away from home and learning their lessons, too.”
Thankful she wasn’t suggesting anything more severe, Adeline smiled and said, “Yes. It seems a fitting and fair punishment to me. And if you find she does the extra work too quickly, perhaps one of your helpers can spend more time with her and move her forward at a faster pace since she learns so easily.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” the schoolmistress said stiffly. “Thank you, my lady. I won’t take up any more of your time.”
After showing the woman out, Adeline walked back into the drawing room. She found solace in its quietness. She always felt more comfortable when her housekeeper had gone to her own room for the night. Not having servants constantly around her was essential to Adeline’s peace of mind. And probably always would be because of her husband’s dictates.
Memories Adeline didn’t want to relive darted along the edges of her mind. Wake never wanted Adeline to be left alone after he’d seen her descending the stairs much too quickly. How could she ever be in the family way and bear him a son if she walked too fast, if she carried a small basket of flowers, or if she bent over to tie the ribbons on her slippers? Wake would have preferred for her not to walk at all, but Adeline had finally made him see the ridiculousness of issuing an order for her to stay in bed until she delivered a child to him.
Not wanting to dwell on those thoughts, Adeline decided that since she’d dismissed Mrs. Lawton for the night, she would rekindle the fire that had been bankedand find interest in the book she’d been trying to read. Surely something or someone would jump out at the heroine soon and cause her to scream and run for her life. Adeline’s heart beat a little faster at the thought. Before Adeline reached for the poker, a soft knock sounded and then the door opened and shut quickly.
It was presumptuous of Mrs. Tallon to reenter the house, even if it had been less than a minute since Adeline had seen her out. Adeline waited and heard faint, masculine footfalls coming down the corridor. The trespasser wasn’t the headmistress returning.
Lyon stopped at the entrance when he saw her. A gale of anticipation washed over her at the sight of him. Fluttering warmth swirled in her chest.
Her breath trembled in her throat as it did every time she saw him. It didn’t matter if he was upset with her, smiling at her, or trying to look into her soul. Her feelings were always the same. She wanted him to take her into his arms and kiss her.
His expression wasn’t angry or even annoyed as she would have expected because of what she’d done. Mysteriously, he looked pleased. That, she realized, unsettled her far more than the fact he’d entered her houseagainwithout permission. Or maybe he assumed he had her consent. He was clutching the gloves she’d deliberately left on the table in front of him. At the time she didn’t even know why she had been so brazen. She had known he’d return them at some time. Maybe some part of her was hoping he’d do it tonight.
Inhaling a deep breath, she steadied herself and met his gaze without worry, confusion, or invitation. She prepared herself for whatever temperament he mightbe in and listen to what he had to say about her afternoon rant.
“My lady.”
“Lyon,” she said, and then without forethought and before she could stop herself, she launched into somewhat of an explanation. “I shouldn’t have rushed inside your house as I did this afternoon, trailing water with every step I took. That be as it may, I shouldn’t have lost my temper over the situation I was confronted with and caused a scene in front of your friends and colleagues. It was an extremely improper thing to do but at the time I felt I had no choice.”
Not saying a word and while she was still talking, the earl strode toward her, throwing her gloves onto a chair he passed. He didn’t stop until, to her surprise and pleasure, he slid his strong arms around her waist and quickly caught her up firmly and tightly against his wide, hard chest with commanding strength. He must have known that this is what she’d been waiting for.
“You were magnificent,” he whispered.
An excitement like she’d never known spiraled through her body, mind, and soul. He was letting her know he wanted to kiss her and he wasn’t going to let her or anything stop him.
Her lips parted just before his touched hers with a searing hunger that took her breath and stole her heart. His tongue swept into her mouth, deep and probing. She shoved her arms around his neck and cupped the back of his head with her hands, letting her fingers slip into his thick, rich hair. It was exhilarating to be heldso close, kissed so relentlessly, and to feel desperately desired.
Adeline had longed for such feelings to become reality.
Their kisses were searching, persuasive, and savoring. They continued second after second. Ravenous. Desirous. Welcoming. Thrilling tingles raced across her breasts, speared down past the depths of her abdomen, and settled as an unfulfilled ache between her legs. She shared his ardor with an overwhelming, long-denied fervency of her own. Pressing her body against him, she encouraged his touch with an abundance of coveted passion waiting to be released.
“My guests thought you were magnificent also,” Lyon whispered as he kissed his way down to the crook of her neck, tasting her skin as he went.
“Truly?” she asked breathlessly, and quickly added, “No, I don’t believe you. They couldn’t.”
“I have many faults, my lady, but lying isn’t one of them.”
Adeline smiled beneath the onslaught of his kisses, satisfied he was telling the truth.
“I see my admission pleases you,” he rasped.
“Very much,” she answered, enjoying the way his lips felt against her cheeks, her neck, her chest. Loving the way his slight beard-roughened skin felt against hers.
“The blackguards deserved every ounce of your dressing down for their insolence and for being so inconsiderate with where they leave their coaches.”
