Page 30 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

When it was far from the truth.

Somehow, Louisa had gotten under his skin. He didn’t understand it. He thought of her at odd moments, wondering if she would enjoy the roasted carrots Cook put on his table or how she might approach a particularly prickly tenant. He would be reading at night and pause, wishing he could discuss a passage with her. In bed, he would close his eyes and see her image, causing him to lose countless hours of sleep.

He greeted Adalyn, the only one present, and asked where the others were as he filled his plate with dishes from the sideboard.

“They both have already come and gone,” she informed him as she looked at Arthur and nodded brusquely.

Owen watched the butler signal the two footmen and all three men left the breakfast room. He seated himself on Adalyn’s right.

“You must want to scold me since you’ve dismissed the servants but for the life of me, I cannot fathom what I have done to land on your bad side.”

She studied him a moment and then said, “Have you done something I would be displeased with?”

“On the contrary, I have behaved like a perfect gentleman in recent days. Exemplary behavior is not my strong suit. I suppose I am settling into the earldom.”

“And what about Louisa?”

He frowned. “What about her? Is there something wrong with her? What has she said?” He realized his words sounded a bit too eager and added, “I hope she still wants to ride today else I would have stayed at Danfield.”

“Do you have feelings for her?”

“What? What did she say?” He groaned. “Don’t tell me she told you about the kissing.”

Adalyn gasped. “Youkissedher?”

“You didn’t know?”

“I did not.” She glared at him. “How could you do that, Owen? Ev has already told me how you plan to cut a swath through the women of thetonnext Season. That is your business and I will not lecture you on it. But Louisa is my cousin and dearest friend. I will not have you dallying with her, do you hear me?”

He raked both hands through his hair. “I didn’t mean to. That is, I didn’t set out to dally with her, Adalyn. I know Louisa is beloved by you and I wouldn’t hurt her for the world. Not simply because of her but because I value my friendship with Ev and you.”

She gazed at him steadily. “Then why did you do it? Kiss her.”

“Because I couldn’t help myself,” he admitted.

She sniffed. “Tell me everything, Owen.”

He pushed away his plate and sat back in his chair. “It happened over a week ago. That is all I am going to say. I am not one to kiss and tell. I know other men enjoy giving blow-by-blow accounts of their conquests, often exaggerating the incidents, but that has always left a bad taste in my mouth. Suffice it to say that I kissed Louisa. I succumbed to temptation. She is a very beautiful woman. And I apologized. We talked about things and we decided to remain friends. In fact, I am going to help her during the house party. I will get to know the gentlemen you have invited and if I believe any of them worthy of Louisa, I will encourage them to pursue her. But they damned well better be honorable men. Else I will make certain she is protected from any scoundrels.”

“Hmm.”

Owen frowned. “What?”

Adalyn shrugged. “You sound quite vehement.”

“Well, I am taking this seriously. I like Louisa. Quite a bit. She has lived in her father’s shadow far too long. It is time she stepped from it and lived her own life with a man who cares about her.”

“You like her.”

“Yes.”

“And you kissed her.”

He waved a hand. “That is all behind us. We are happy in one another’s company now. We trust one another. She’s come a long way in the past week as far as riding is concerned. Louisa will have no problems at all when the house party commences. We do, however, want access to your guest list. She wants you and Tessa to sit with us and discuss those who have been invited so we know what we are getting into.”

Adalyn nodded. “I am happy to share the list with the both of you. Tessa will know several of the guests upon it. Once she and Spencer arrive at Cliffside, we will be more than happy to speak to the both of you.” She paused. “Have you changed your mind, Owen? Might you look for a wife while Louisa seeks a husband?”

A hot feeling washed through him. No, it couldn’t be jealousy. But thinking of someone else kissing Louisa bothered him a great deal. Owen knew if a suitable spouse attended the house party, Louisa would need to kiss the man.

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