Page 1 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
CHAPTER1
Brampton Manor, Hertfordshire
Alexander Crawford, the Earl of Thornton, was enjoying one of his favorite pastimes in the good company of one of his best friends, Robert Beckwith, Viscount Barlow. Alexander urged his stallion into a faster run, thrilled at the thundering of the hooves on the earth. Barlow kept pace, and they shared a grin, and it was clear his friend similarly enjoyed their racing.
Alexander and Barlow both attended Cambridge University where the lessons taught from an early age, were enhanced along with classics and Mathematics. Barlow had been his close companion when he sought to attain social graces: polish, good manners, and civility. To successfully manage their respective inheritances, they needed to be exposed to civil company, practice diplomacy, and learn how to converse. Alexander and Barlow had completed their degrees and went on a tour of Europe together.
Barlow returned to his family’s estate to learn more about managing it and Alexander had gone off to his estate at Thornton Manor, where he was already at the realms. Their common experiences over the years had only sought to bring them closer, and they both visited each other’s estates from time to time.
They slowed their mounts as they rode over the crest of a hill and came across Lady Elizabeth sitting alone by the lake.
“By God,” Robert muttered. “What is she doing out here alone without even a servant hovering?”
Barlow guided his horse toward Elizabeth and Alexander followed.
“Your sister always owned to a willful mind of her own,” Alexander said, hiding his smile.
Barlow snorted. “Do not sound too much like you admire her.”
Alexander made no reply to that, merely taking in Lady Elizabeth as they trotted closer. She leaned in over an easel and her hand moved briskly about the paper it held. Judging by the myriad of drawings next to her she had been at her craft for some time. She approached the task with her typical cheerfulness. Her fingers paused, and she glanced over her shoulder. Lady Elizabeth’s face lit up with a radiant smile. His heart jerked in a rather unfamiliar manner.
It had been two years since the last time he saw her and he was struck by her beauty with her raven black hair, blue eyes, and a translucent, pale complexion. She was tall and slender, yet lushly curved.
They dismounted and strolled over to Lady Elizabeth. She quickly rose and dipped into a small curtsy. “My lord,” she greeted.
“Lady Elizabeth, it is good to see you again.” Their eyes met and his heart stirred once again.
Bloody hell. How could she have just shot into his awareness? He could not possibly be feeling so. Yet, he was. Her features had matured considerably since the last time he beheld her. How she had grown! Lady Elizabeth was no longer an incorrigible, awkward child. She had blossomed into a young lady with an air of confidence and poise about her.
Alexander and Lady Elizabeth had encountered each other on several occasions over the years. In the early days when he visited Brampton Manor, Lady Elizabeth would seek out her brother and follow him wherever she could. She had such adoration and admiration for Barlow, and she did not understand why she could not join them in all their activities. In fact, one day Lady Elizabeth said as much. She could do anything they could do, and probably better.
Alexander smiled at the memory. Barlow felt she was a bit of a nuisance and they had become quite proficient at giving her the slip to ensure they were not constantly followed. Eventually, Lady Elizabeth developed her own interests and pastimes and Alexander saw less and less of her.
“What are you doing out here alone, Lizzy?”
She rolled her eyes in an unladylike manner at her brother. “Despite your refusal to believe it, Robert, it is quite permissible for me to draw or paint by the lake without a chaperone.”
Barlow scowled, and Alexander moved closer to her easel. Elizabeth watched him with an air of anticipation and a soft flush to her cheeks.
He peered at her drawing, which captured a stunning view of the lake, and he was impressed by the level of detail that she had produced. Alexander knew the water was still cold at that time of the year, but somehow Lady Elizabeth’s drawing portrayed warmth. Under the caress of her charcoal, the lake seemed to invite him to dip his toes and frolic in it. He gazed at the pale green lake, lined by pine trees and the whiff of mint wafted up to him. Out on the lake, flopping trout slapped the surface, unruffled by the sun or wind. Lady Elizabeth spared no detail. Her drawing depicted a black raven crawking and she captured it well, the beauty of the natural world. Alexander could see the rain-pearled grass in his mind’s eye and smell the sweet fragrance of it.
“You have an extraordinary talent, Lady Elizabeth. A natural aptitude which makes for such a realistic depiction.”
Her mouth curved into a lovely smile, and she glowed at the compliment.
By God, she needed to stop smiling so he could at least hide his shocking reaction to her.
“Thank you, Lord Thornton. I have a love and affinity for drawing as well as painting, and I seek to improve my mastery. I begged my parents to allow me to go on the grand tour to Italy, but alas, they refused. Apparently, such pursuits are reserved for men. It seems they are the only ones who need to complete their education.”
“Lizzy …” Barlow cautioned from where he stood throwing pebbles on the surface of the lake.
Alexander chuckled. Lady Elizabeth had a sharp wit and he liked it. Aristocratic families encouraged their sons to journey to Europe as an opportunity to complete their education. The journey was known as the grand tour which Alexander and Barlow enjoyed while they were at Cambridge. They were accompanied by a learned guide who acted as a tutor. Their guide was highly educated in the arts, history, literature, and culture. It was an enlightening experience although some treated the grand tour as a very long and decadent party. Yet, here sits a beauty with natural ability who was denied the opportunity to see if she could exceed her expectations …she was not happy about it.
“You have both been on the tour. Have you not?” Lady Elizabeth arched a brow.
Her lips curved and caressed the words she uttered. The cool day had suddenly taken on a warmth he could not explain, and he pondered what the devil was wrong with him.
“Indeed,” Alexander replied as Barlow remained silent. Alexander tried to ignore the heady scent of jasmine that curled around him and filled his senses.
