Page 35 of Allured By a Lord's Touch

“You never need to apologize to me.”

Oh, how Sarah wished to kiss him again, but this time, upon the lips. She herself would be unable to handle the guilt of making such a forward gesture, so she let the impulse pass.

Without saying more, Reginald helped Sarah onto her horse—something she would never let any other man do—and they sped back towards the estate. Sarah imagined that Lisbeth would have one hundred questions for her about the events of the day and why Sarah had been alone with the earl for so long. Sarah was unsure how much of the truth she could impart to her sister.

Upon returning to the estate, not only did she find Lisbeth seated in the parlour, but the Earl of Benton stood by the fire, gazing at the flames. It was no surprise to discover him there, but Sarah didn’t know that her father would arrive so quickly.

The Earl of Benton turned to Sarah, then frowned as he noticed Lord Reginald standing behind her.

“Where have you been, daughter?”

“I was enjoying the picnic in the field with the rest of the company.”

“They returned half an hour ago.”

“It was a pleasant day. I chose to remain.”

An awkward silence followed as both Lisbeth and her father stared at Reginald. Sarah finally spoke.

“Pardon my manners; this is Lord Reginald Simmons, the Earl of Buckland.”

“A pleasure to meet you.” Sarah’s father nodded his head.

“And you, as well, My Lord,” Reginald said warmly. “I must admit that we lost track of time.”

“Alone in one another’s company … ” The Earl of Benton’s voice was cold.

“Father, it was merely an accident. It was a pleasant afternoon, and we delighted in the ride.” Sarah stepped in, hoping to diffuse the tension by kissing her father upon the cheek. Just as she did so, there was a wave of guilt as she realized that she’d kissed Reginald on the cheek moments before.

The Earl of Benton brought his hands to his daughter’s arms. “I was enthusiastic when the duke sent word that you were staying, and I thought it best to accept his invitation to attend.”

“I must say that it came as a surprise.” Sarah lifted her brow.

“Might I have a few moments alone with my daughter?” the Earl of Benton asked.

Reginald bowed his head and quietly exited the parlour, but not before locking eyes with Sarah.

Lisbeth got up from her seat. “Can I stay, Father?”

“No, child. Just Sarah and I.”

Lisbeth sulked out of the room, and Sarah felt a quickening in her chest. What was her father going to impart to her?

“You realize the seriousness of the duke’s feelings?”

“I do.” Sarah looked down at the ground.

“And you’re willing to accept his affections?”

Sarah had to protest. “Father, why must I accept his affections when I don’t feel the same?”

Her father let down his hands and stepped away, gazing into the fire once more. “Feelings grow in time, Sarah. If you leave room for affection, then perhaps it will come flooding in.”

“Such utter nonsense.”

Her father shot her an angry gaze. “You don’t realize the opportunity that you’re allowing to slip through your fingers, Sarah. The fact that you were alone with the earl for a considerable amount of time is not only unacceptable, but I can only imagine what the duke must be thinking.”

“Perhaps he’s thinking the truth. That I don’t care for him in the way that I ought to if I’m to marry him.”

Lord John Crawford pulled his hand through his silver hair.

“Sarah, I have the mind to no longer listen to your protestations. It’s high time that I tell you what to do.”

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