Page 54 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“Good,” the earl declared. “You didn’t need to be off driving in his phaeton with him anyway. And I seriously doubt his lordship adjourned to the country. He is probably at home licking his wounds after being embarrassed.”

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Everyone at Gentleman Jack’s came to watch our bout. Several already watched us as we sparred. When Ellington suggested our gloves come off, all activity inside the academy ceased and dozens of men gathered around us—all betting against me.”

“Why would they?” she asked, puzzled. “You are taller and much broader. You have been to war and know how to fight. Lord Ellington is just a gentleman of theton.”

A slow smile spread across his handsome face and her face grew hot. She realized she never should have acknowledged that she had noticed his physique.

“I taught him not to take advantage of someone he thought he could,” Lord Middlefield explained. “You believe I am arrogant but Lord Ellington is much more so. He needed to be taken down a notch or two.”

“You sound so uncouth. You shouldn’t participate in such a barbaric practice.”

“It is good exercise,” he told her.

“But it left you looking like this? And poor Lord Ellington.”

Lord Middlefield snorted. “There is nothing poor about him. He kept from me his reputation. I could truly have been hurt in our match if I hadn’t been forewarned regarding his prowess.”

“You are impossible,” she proclaimed, angrily pushing her palm against his chest.

He winced.

“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.

He smiled ruefully. “It is not only my eye which is blackened and my jaw which is sore and swollen. My torso is battered and bruised. I didn’t get away from our encounter scot-free.”

Sympathy sprang quickly within her. She raised a palm and placed it against his cheek. It was warm to her touch and flooded her with a strange feeling.

Gazing down at her, he softly said, “I would do it again for a simple touch from you.”

She wet her lips nervously, drawing his attention to them. Knowing what was coming, she still remained in place.

He lowered his lips to hers. Her other hand came up to frame his face. He brushed his lips softly against hers at first, over and over, causing a ripple down her spine. His hands grasped her waist, anchoring her, and he pressed his mouth more firmly against hers. This time, she knew what was coming.

And was eager to participate.

His tongue glided along the seam of her mouth and she opened to him. Her tongue waited for his, playing with it. He groaned, low and deep, his hands tightening on her waist, making her feel powerful again in her femininity. His tongue grew bolder, stroking hers, trying to dominate her. Tessa pushed her fingers into his thick, raven waves and clutched them.

The kiss went on and finally he broke it. Resting his forehead against hers, his lips hovered.

“I could do that all day,” he murmured as she let her fingers fall.

She could, too, but she had no idea how much time had passed. Louisa would arrive any minute and Tessa couldn’t allow her cousin to catch her kissing the earl like this.

She tried to pull away but he kissed her again and she was powerless to keep from giving in to it again. The kiss was hard. Demanding. Uncompromising. It told her he wanted her.

Worse, she knew she wanted him.

Again, he was the first to pull away, releasing her and taking a step back “Will you play for me? It soothes me.”

“I will if you sit over there.”

Lord Middlefield chuckled and moved to the chair she indicated. She remembered he mentioned liking Beethoven and she sat at the pianoforte, taking a deep breath to compose herself before beginning to play. She avoided looking at him but could feel his intense gaze burning into her.

Near the end of the piece, Tessa sensed another presence and glanced up, seeing Louisa had arrived. She remained near the doorway until Tessa finished playing and then made her way toward them.

“I am always astounded at your talent,” her cousin said, kissing Tessa’s cheek and then greeting the earl.

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