Page 41 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

Rachel squeezed her friend’s hand. “Not at all. Why don’t you have some of both? And I do know what you mean. Having two brothers, I always longed for Father to wed again so that I might have a sister. Instead, Jeremy brought me you and Catherine. It’s as if I have two now.”

“I feel the same, Rachel. Catherine’s so much older than me. She’s been more of a mother than sister, at times. With us being of a similar age, it’s been ever so much fun, being an honorary St. Clair.”

“Soon, you will be a Lock—and Countess of Alford.”

Leah frowned. “Still, we’ll be miles apart.”

“I will come visit. Besides, you’ll come to London each year for the Season. I’ll see you there.”

“I will do my best to find you a match next year. If not sooner.” Her friend paused. “Answer me truthfully. Don’t dodge my question this time. Do I sense something between you and Merrick?”

“I thought it possible at one point,” Rachel said, knowing she would reveal this only to Leah. “I’m afraid, though, that the Peninsular Wars affected Merrick in ways he may never share. Do you know he was shot—twice in the same battle?”

“No. How awful.”

“I don’t think he’s told anyone, not even Alford. I’m surprised he revealed it to me.”

“That’s something, isn’t it? Sharing confidences with you.”

Rachel shook her head. “We have been friendly. Possibly even friends. I don’t see anything coming of it, though. I think it may be a long time before Merrick wishes to commit to a woman. At least that’s the impression he’s given me.”

“I’m sorry. I know that must disappoint you.” Leah squeezed Rachel’s hand again and then released it.

They climbed into bed and her earlier eagerness melted into sadness. It was true. She finally admitted it to herself.

She was in love with the Marquess of Merrick. And absolutely nothing would come of it.

Instead of pitying herself, Rachel determined to continue with tonight’s lesson. Learn what she needed to move on. Just because she loved Evan didn’t mean there wasn’t another man out there that she might fall in love with. One who would love her back.

To make sure she didn’t fall asleep, Rachel pinched her thigh. She counted to ten and pinched it again. By the time she reached forty, Leah’s breathing had softened. When she made it to seventy, the subtle snores had begun. As she slipped from under the covers, Rachel wondered what Alford would make of his wife’s snoring. Leah was perfect in absolutely every single way, except for this tiny flaw which Rachel found endearing. Knowing how Alford felt about his fiancée, he would probably love Leah even more once he discovered it.

She shrugged into her dressing gown and instead of knotting it, she tied a bow on the left side of her waist. It would be easier for Evan to slip it off her. Just in case he chose to. She knew tonight’s lesson involved kissing with tongues but she remembered the delicious way Evan’s tongue had caressed her neck and breasts. Maybe after they’d kissed for a bit, he’d want to combine the various lessons.

Or so she hoped.

Rachel made her way down the corridor and reached the stairs. By now, she knew the two which squeaked and avoided both of them. As she passed the grandfather clock, it chimed half-past eleven. She was very early. She paused in front of the library’s entrance and took several deep, calming breaths. Anticipation built within her as she turned the handle on the library’s door and slipped inside, closing it behind her. When she turned, she froze in her tracks.

Evan was already here.

With Merrifield.

“Lady Rachel,” called the handsome earl. “What a pleasant surprise.”

He rose to his feet and Evan followed suit. Rachel masked her shock and moved across the room, noticing both men held crystal tumblers in their hands.

“Forgive me, my lords.” She sensed her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. “I would never have come down in my dressing gown if I’d known someone was awake and in the library.”

“We’ll forgive you,” Merrifield said cheerily. “I found myself restless and came down for a drink. Imagine finding Merrick here, doing the same.”

She finally glanced in Evan’s direction. His face gave nothing away.

“I had trouble sleeping,” he said. “I thought some brandy might be the very thing to help me relax.”

“I was unable to fall asleep,” Rachel began, “especially since Leah snores. I thought if I found a boring tome, it might help me grow sleepy.”

Merrifield laughed. “Go for something about agriculture. Any time my estate manager wants to talk crops, it puts me quite to sleep. Boring as anything I’ve known. Here, I’ll help you find something tedious and tiresome.”

The earl set his brandy down and moved toward the shelves of books. Rachel quickly glanced to Evan, nerves shooting through her as she felt her cheeks continue to burn. He shrugged and gave her an encouraging smile.

---