Page 2 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
Lady Elizabeth gave him a playful smirk. “Was it not enriching?”
Alexander was about to answer when he saw the amusement flicker in her eyes. Lady Elizabeth already knew the answer to her questions. She sought to make her point and she did it well. His gaze dropped to her hands, and he was distracted by her long, slender fingers as they lightly played with … played over the paper.
“Perhaps, one day I will go on a grand tour. I shall not give up, Robert,” Lady Elizabeth quipped with a twinkle in her eye. She sounded sure of herself, that she would indeed complete such a tour.
She peered at Alexander and spoke as if she needed to win him over. “I spend countless hours improving my artwork. I am at it almost every day because I strive for perfection.”
Ahh, a perfectionist. “Your passion and energy are clear, Lady Elizabeth. It is admirable.”
Their gazes locked and his breath caught in his throat before Lady Elizabeth returned her attention to the drawing. Alexander’s words were not empty flattery. Lady Elizabeth had the ability to conceptualize and then create something that elicited an emotional response from him. She was eliciting more than a reaction to her art and his body’s instantaneous reaction surprised him.
This curious creature, alone by the lake, had captured his attention. It was as though she blended in with the lake and the woodland and she became a part of the environs like her painting. She was one with nature projecting a sense of peace and calm. She turned and a bit of charcoal fell from the ledge of the easel to the ground. Alexander quickly retrieved it and as he handed it to Lady Elizabeth their hands touched. He felt a surge go through his core and it shook him.
A blush appeared on her cheeks. “How clumsy of me. Thank you, Lord Thornton.”
The charcoal did not intentionally fall under the guise that he should retrieve it for her. There was an innocence about her and at that moment Alexander realized she was not trying to beguile him. She would not know how. Yet, he wondered if her heart jerked when their hands touched.
“Graceful, yes. Clumsy, I think not.” A lovely compliment when all he was really thinking about was those lovely fingers trailing over his ….
Alexander was so mesmerized by her allure that he had even forgotten that Barlow was present and for a moment it felt as though they were the only ones enjoying the lake. Alexander knew that Lady Elizabeth had not yet been launched into society. Right then he determined that when she was, he would court her.
He wanted to get to know her as a mature young lady, for he had memories of a child, and he would not skulk around to accomplish it. Barlow had always been protective of Lady Elizabeth. Alexander was close to Barlow, yet he did not know how Barlow would react if he showed an interest in her. Nevertheless, Alexander was tempted and as far as he was concerned Lady Elizabeth was not forbidden.
* * *
Brampton Manor, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth watchedher brother and the Earl of Thornton depart. She was suddenly aware of the earl more so than she had ever been. She supposed after not seeing him for a while she was struck by his handsome and charming appearance. It was all entirely unsettling. He was six feet tall, ruggedly handsome, with a sharp nose, angular jaw, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. He had a muscular build, but he was not overly so.
Elizabeth had paid much more attention to the earl when she was younger. She wanted his attention then but he did not give it. No doubt he thought she was the annoying little sister of his best friend and nothing more. Today she sensed something was different. It was more than a sense really, for she saw it. When he had come upon her his gaze was sharp and assessing. The stare of his enchanting hazel eyes pricked her skin although he had not touched her, and he smelled of cinnamon and sage. It was pleasant and she liked it even as she tried not to inhale too deeply.
The earl had been quite charming and complimentary of her drawing and it did not seem that he was trying to pass the time by making polite conversation. He genuinely studied it, his eyes gleaming with interest, and he gave his honest opinion. While they conversed, her gaze found his eyes, and the smoldering flame she saw frightened her.
Her heart stumbled once more before it found its rhythm again. She had refused to believe the emotions that were unfurling deep within her because it just could not be.
Absolutely not!
Elizabeth felt rather clumsy when her charcoal fell. When the earl retrieved it, their hands touched and a delicious spark went through her. Heat washed over her cheeks and she released a breath she had not known she was holding. Bewildered by her unexpected reaction, she had flashed him a sunny smile to mask her feelings.
Perhaps she should not dwell on this over much. After all, there was someone else who had captured her heart, Lord Albert Webster, Viscount Salisbury. She met the viscount on one of her visits to Codicote to see her dear friend Lady Amelia Osborn, Countess of Seymour. They had met purely by chance when she had gone off to paint landscapes on the grounds of the estate. Amelia was a respectable, married lady so Elizabeth was not required to have a chaperone when she visited. They had taken full advantage of this and met on several occasions in secret. She had devised a plan to see him again soon and she was quite looking forward to it.
Since she met the viscount, her life had changed so much. He wrote to her each day. She looked forward to his letters and her day was not quite right until she received them. The viscount signed his letters Bertie for they had long since dispensed with the formalities. Elizabeth collected his letters when she went horseback riding in the morning and she hid them when she returned to her bedchamber. The sealed letters were presented to her by the groom, but she did not concern herself overmuch for she knew he could not read. Furthermore, she was sure he earned himself a pretty coin for each delivery and he would not wish to lose this sum. Thus far he had not asked any questions and he would continue to be discreet.
Just this past sennight the viscount wrote that he had fallen helplessly in love with her from the very first day he laid eyes on her. He had plans to court her when she was launched for the season and Elizabeth was sure she would not have eyes for anyone else, least of all Thornton, despite his charm and the sensations he evoked.
CHAPTER2
Brook’s Gentlemen’s Club, London
Aweek later Alexander sat in a large, comfortable leather armchair at Brook’s gentlemen’s club. He did not wait to be served but rather approached the bar where he collected a bottle of claret and a glass. He went to the socializing room, which was not as quiet as the library, yet not as noisy as the card room. He thought to have a moment’s respite while he waited for Barlow, Gilbert, and Conrad to join him. He poured himself a tall glass of claret and downed a good portion before he began to decompress.
He must unwind and he chose to avail himself of as many glasses of claret as he needed, although there were others about who preferred the company of women or gambling. Though he was fond of women, he did not have an affinity for gambling. It was not to his taste. Gambling had ruined many men and he could take no pleasure in such an activity to the ruination of others.
He was quite fortunate to be in possession of a vast estate, which he did not leave in the hands of others. No. He took his responsibility quite seriously and he was not afraid to work side by side with his staff when it came to managing the estate. There were days when this responsibility weighed heavily on him and he would leave it all behind to have a moment’s respite at Brook’s.
His father had been a kind and pragmatic man. When he passed away, he did not have much time to grieve for he had to take the reins of the earldom and be a source of strength for his mother, the Countess of Thornton. He believed that to this very day, the countess grieved for his father as she was very fond of him and they’d had a happy life.
Alexander pulled the armchair back so he could stretch his legs while waiting on his friends. They had a running engagement at Brook’s and met there at least once per week to escape the weight of responsibility and the boredom of domesticity. He had only just thought of his mates, and they appeared. They sauntered over to the table and the waiter busied himself fetching another bottle of claret and additional glasses.
