Page 50 of How to Train Your Earl
“Because of the demands I put on you?”
“No,” he said firmly. “You share no blame in this. It started by me making that first wager.” He glanced over to her. “You have no need to worry that you are being watched when I’m not with you. It’s not you they’re worried about.”
“You think someone is trying to catch you playing cards, having a sip of wine or—” It was odd and it really should mean nothing to her but she didn’t want to think about him being with a woman.
“Yes. All of it. That’s the way some men are. Unscrupulous men. It’s no longer only the members of White’s who have entered into the gaming of the original wager and the one between us. Others have taken them and made their own bets. Some men will either win or lose small fortunes depending on the outcome.”
“I heard that too. It’s appalling that so many peopleare gaming on the outcome of our situation. You’ll probably have someone watching you every day now. I didn’t think about that.”
He smiled. “I can handle the tailing, Brina. It matters not to me that I’m shadowed. But if anyone should start bothering you, I’ll have to get involved.”
Brina believed he would but really, what could he do?
They rode in silence for a few minutes. Long enough for her thoughts to expand on how outrageous people were being and for apprehensiveness to morph into outrage. She didn’t like the idea of anyone invading her privacy. And for their own gain!
Their privacy.
She looked over at him and said, “It’s true you started this wager, but now we are in it together. The nerve of some gossip-seeking scoundrel wanting to spy on us, no matter the reason, is beyond the pale.”
“It could be someone who only wants to write about where we’re going and what we’re doing. It may not have anything to do with whether or not I take a drink or slip in a hand of cards.”
“It’s still wrong to spy on us. Speed up and we’ll lose him.”
Zane glanced at her and gave a questioning grin. “I can’t believe you said that. Gentlemen are not supposed to drive fast when a lady is with them.”
He was right, of course. She was being quite scandalous for a lady of the ton to suggest such a thing. “No. However, as you and I have established, some rules don’t apply to us. Not today anyway. I’m not happy we are being followed.”
“You aren’t afraid to go fast?”
She thought about that. “No. I don’t think so. I can’t say I’ve ever been in a curricle that has been driven very fast. A coach once when Stewart and I were traveling tohis brother’s estate. We were running late, and he told the driver not to hold the leather. I don’t remember it as being frightful.”
“Speeding along in this lightweight carriage would be nothing like a fast jostling ride on a coach loaded with people and trunks.”
She glanced over her shoulder again. The cabriolet was still behind them. Though he wasn’t close, she could see there was only one man in the carriage. His hat and cloak were black, but she couldn’t tell much else about him.
Brina gave him a defiant stare for a moment before stating firmly, “Let’s lose him, Zane.”
He angled his head toward her, his expression pensive. “I like your idea, but it would be too dangerous. Curricles can turn over easily.”
“Are you not skillful with them and horses?”
“One of the best,” he answered without sounding the least bit boastful.
“Then forget chivalry and let’s do it. You are absolved of any responsibility for anything that may happen, Zane.”
He seemed to study on that for a moment before sighing and then saying, “It won’t be the first time I’ve done something dangerous. First, you must secure yourself. Feet flat to the floor. Take off your gloves and grab hold of the seat handle and—” He took his elbow and pushed his coat aside. “Grab hold of the waistband of my trousers.” He stopped and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be managing the reins so I’m not likely to accost you.”
“That’s not what I was thinking,” she said, and then added, “I was wondering why I should take off my gloves.”
“It’s necessary. Your gloves aren’t leather. The fabric might slip on the handle causing you to lose your grip. You need a firm, solid hold. Don’t be shy. If we’re goingto do this, we have to do it right and with all caution for your safety.”
She quickly took off her gloves, stuffed them into the pocket of her cape, and looked back to him for more instructions.
“One hand on the arm of the seat and with the other, slide your fingers about two inches past my waistband. Make a fist and don’t let go for anything. We’ll be taking some corners fast. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Excitement built inside her. Instead of fleeing down underground tunnels in an old chateau with him, she would be speeding down the streets of London in a carriage with him.
Without further thought, she reached over and lifted the tail of his waistcoat and slid all four of her fingers between his shirt and trousers. His body was firm, lean, and warm as a winter fire. Closing her thumb around the outside of the fabric, she made a tight fist. She then steadied herself with her feet. She realized this was as intimate and as outrageous as calling an earl by his first name. It simply wasn’t done. But for some reason, it felt freeing to make the decision to do it anyway.
