Page 9 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Luke—Lord Mayfield—leaned over and swung Davy from the trunk. “Hold Tippet’s leash, Davy, and come along,” he said easily.

He picked the trunk up as if it weighed next to nothing. Placing it on his shoulder, he followed his brother-in-law across the square, Davy and Tippet shadowing his every step.

Lady Merrick released Caroline’s hands and slipped her arm through Caroline’s. “Call me Rachel,” she suggested as she led Caroline toward her home.

In a daze, Caroline went along.

They went inside and Lady Merrick instructed a footman to summon the housekeeper. She told the two men where to take Caroline’s trunks and they disappeared up the stairs. The housekeeper quickly appeared and the marchioness told the woman they had a houseguest that would be staying indefinitely.

“Is Davy your ward?”

“No. He was a cabin boy on the ship that brought me here. He’s an orphan. I’d thought to place him in my father’s stables and have him trained as a footman.”

Once again, the marchioness went to her knees so she was on the same level as the boy. “Davy, where would you like to be?”

“In the stables. With Tippet.”

She motioned the same footman over. “Take Davy and Tippet to the stables. See that they’re settled there.” Turning back to Caroline, she said, “They can stay, too, as long as you do.”

Davy hugged her tightly and then followed the footman. Tippet pranced happily along beside the boy.

“I can’t begin to thank you, Lady Merrick.”

“Rachel. We are neighbors. We’ll be living in the same house.”

“Not for long, I hope.” When she saw the marchioness’ face fall, she quickly added, “I hope to find lodging of my own soon.”

By now, the two men appeared again. Caroline could feel Lord Mayfield’s intense gaze upon her and sensed her cheeks heating.

“We need tea after our ride and all that moving,” the marquess proclaimed. “Come up to the drawing room, Lady Caroline.”

He took his wife’s arm and escorted her up the stairs. That left Caroline with Lord Mayfield.

He smiled and offered his arm. She took it and was hit by a jolt of lightning. Her eyes flew to his face and she saw confusion—and then satisfaction.

“It’s this way, Lady Caroline,” he said smoothly.

She swallowed, her heart racing and her breathing suddenly shallow. She had no experience with whatever was happening with her body. The moment they reached the drawing room, she released his arm.

Caroline would need to stay far away from this man.

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