Page 32 of Tempting the Earl

Clenching his jaw to keep from reacting to his brother’s obvious taunt, Colin waited for the man to make his point.

“Though I can’t say I’m surprised by it.”

“Obviously, it must be some flaw in my personality,” Colin interjected, this time with undisguised sarcasm.

“Well, you have to admit you could afford to lighten up a bit.”

Colin rose to his feet and the other man did the same. When he saw the amusement in his brother’s face, Colin felt a rush of emotion he had to fight hard to suppress. Staring hard into eyes just like his own—like their father’s—he simply asked, “Can I? Could I ever?”

The teasing glint immediately faded from Bentley’s gaze and he lowered his chin a notch. But he didn’t say anything.

The two men had yet to discuss their father in depth, but there was an unspoken understanding between them regardless. Roderick, more than most, knew the cruelty of which their father was capable.

Giving a nod, Colin said stiffly, “I’ll be in touch, Bentley.” Then he turned and left the office, leaving the double doors open as his brother preferred.

Chapter Eleven

It was a rare occurrence when the full sun managed to break through the London fog, but today it had somehow done just that. The air was crisp and happy sunlight glistened over the expansive lawns of Hyde Park as they strolled along the paths. The day was made all the more pleasant by the fact that Lord Wright had been unable to accompany them as planned.

It wasn’t that Ainsworth particularly disliked the earl’s company or that his presence made experiences decidedly less enjoyable.

No. It was far more complicated than that. She wished it were simple enough to say she detested the man. That he was offensive or abhorrent in some way. That there were obvious defects in his character which might justify keeping Caillie away from him as well.

But there were no such flaws or faults.

Despite her considerable attempts at determining otherwise, he was honorable and kind and generous. That such characteristics managed to shine through his strictly reserved manner only proved the strength of their presence.

Though his decency was ultimately a boon for Caillie’s sake, it proved a source of annoyance for Ainsworth personally...and it wasn’t even the most upsetting thing about him.

What bothered her more than anything—usually late at night while cuddled in the darkness of her bedroom—was when she managed to glimpse beyond the façade and peered past the innate goodness in him, she saw something...more smoldering beneath the surface of his ever-so-decorous manner.

It knocked her off-kilter every time his striking gaze fell on her for longer than a moment.

It made her heart race if he got too near or happened to touch her—within the bounds of propriety, of course.

It made her tremble in the most infuriating way while her skin grew hot and flushed.

It quite frankly made her furious.

Because she didn’t want to feel anything around him but mild disdain and cautious awareness.

Because if she didn’t even want to like him, she sure as hell didn’t want to desire him.

And that’s exactly what she feared it was.

So, when she learned he wouldn’t be joining them for their walk that day, she was immensely relieved. And, as suspected, the excursion proved to be as enjoyable as she’d anticipated.

The groom who’d been assigned to accompany them in the earl’s place did his best to keep a respectful distance. But Caillie and Ainsworth—and to be fair, Bramble as well—soon had the man, who they learned was named Randall, walking alongside them, chatting as they enjoyed the fine weather and fresh air. Since they very intentionally directed their stroll away from the pond and made sure to stay clear of anything that might even slightly resemble a chicken in the collie’s eyes, they didn’t experience any drama or undue excitement.

Just a pleasantly peaceful walk in the park.

Which made their unexpected run-in with the earl outside Wright House that much more...invigorating—to Ainsworth’s ever-increasing frustration.

They’d just strolled up to the front of the house when the Wright carriage pulled up alongside them and a groom leapt from his perch to open the vehicle door. The earl sat in slight shadow and hadn’t yet noticed them on the steps in front of his house. It took only a glimpse at his face for Ainsworth to know something was bothering him.

That short crease was evident between his brows, indicating he was worried. And tension held his mouth in a firm line, which perversely made the squareness of his jaw more overt and his dimple more pronounced in a way that was not unattractive. Could that tense mouth suggest the man was struggling to keep certain thoughts from being spoken?

Before she could contemplate his mood any further, he stepped from the vehicle and his gaze lifted to meet hers. His expression instantly reformed into that dispassionate mask he so preferred.

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