Page 47 of My Wicked Earl
Lady Cottingham had no idea who Michelangelo was.
Her mouth opened to reply, lips quivering, to further delight Colin with her limited efforts at conversation but changed her mind. She merely nodded in agreement before turning to examine the tapestry before her.
He could almost hear her mind working.Have I met Lord Michelangelo at the opera?
Lady Helen took full advantage of her mother’s embarrassment and attention to the tapestry. Leaning into the space between herself and Colin, she gave a small half shrug, pushing the top of her generous breasts upward until they appeared ready to spill from her bodice. She blinked artfully at Colin her eyelashes fluttering madly. The move was so practiced Colin assumed Lady Helen rehearsed it in front of a mirror.
Colin wasn’t the least impressed. Or interested.
“I’m not overly fond of Greek mythology, Lord Kilmaire. All those gods and goddesses one has to remember. The only one I can remember is Aphrodite.” She cast him a seductive look beneath her lashes. Her breasts pressed lightly against his forearm.
“Romans, Greeks, Egyptians,” she continued, “I can’t keep them all straight, I’m afraid. It’s all so much dust now, at any rate.” A slightly bawd laugh left her lips. “I’d much rather concentrate on the present.”
Colin gave her a courteous nod.
Lady Helen seemed not to notice Colin’s lack of interest.
“I’m a bird watcher.” She lowered her voice an octave as if imparting some great secret. “I find them to beincrediblyfascinating creatures. There are so many beautiful species, all with their own small quirks. And Iadorefeathers.” A giggle burst from her lips.
A hand raised to Colin’s lips to hold in the yawn that threatened. “Do go on.”
“I’ve begun keeping a journal, a trophy book of sorts, where I track down those birds that others find difficult to spot. I am a relentless hunter, Lord Kilmaire. I record my assessment of each specimen, my observations and such. I even draw sketches. Possibly I’ll share my findings with the Royal Museum at some point, or perhaps one of England’s universities. I feel certain that as an expert in this field, my observations have merit and would be welcomed.”
Colin found that highly unlikely, though he respected her passion. It was the only appealing thing about Lady Helen besides her dowry.
Lady Helen’s eyes glistened with feverish intensity as she proceeded to relate the details of her intrepid search for a particular species of thrush. Apparently, the bird made it’s home in the wooded meadows surrounding Gray Covington.
Colin reminded himself that he didn’t have to find Lady Helen fascinating. He thought they would probably get along well. She’d probably cuckold him before their first wedding anniversary.
He doubted he would care.
“Few ladies, my lord, let alone acountess,would climb a tree to gain a glimpse of a ruby throated thrush.” A pout crossed her lips as the brief brush of her fingertips pressed his forearm in a suggestive manner. “But,Ihave.”
Lady Helen should learn the fine art of subtly.
“Helen,” Lady Cottingham turned from the tapestry to her daughter, nostrils flaring as if she were a deer scenting danger. “I donotthink it appropriate to mention your unladylike behavior to Lord Kilmaire.”
Lady Helen shot her mother a mutinous look but dutifully took a step back from Colin.
“I’m afraid my daughter can be a bit reckless, Lord Kilmaire.”
“Not at all, Lady Cottingham.”
As if climbing a tree made one reckless. Or possibly Lady Cottingham assumed that the very idea of her daughter’s exposed calves would incite lust in Colin. Why he might forget himself, so overcome by the thought of her ankles that he would pounce on Lady Helen and ravish her.
Lady Cottingham worried needlessly.
“Perhaps we can go birdwatching during our stay at Gray Covington?” Lady Helen murmured in a low voice.
Colin waited for Lady Cottingham to chastise her daughter again, but the lady’s attention was drawn to the entrance of the drawing room. Her cheeks reddened and the fingertips of one gloved hand fluttered against her neck.
“It would be my pleasure, with your parent’s permission, of course,” Colin answered loudly enough for Lady Cottingham to hear. Unfortunately, Lady Helen’s mother wasn’t listening.
Lady Helen’s rosebud mouth pursed a bit, not caring for his answer. “Of course, my lord.”
Did the chit think he was stupid enough to agree to an assignation? For that was what Lady Helen implied. Her parents would happen upon them, of course, and Colin would need to do the honorable thing.
Shouldn’t I want that? Cut the courtship short. Return to Runshaw Park with my pockets lined with Lady Helen’s dowry?
