Page 15 of Tempting the Earl

“Shall I order some refreshment?” the butler asked from the doorway.

“Tea would be lovely,” Ainsworth replied. When Caillie turned with hopeful eyes, she added, “and sandwiches, perhaps. We havenae eaten since verra early this morning.”

The butler nodded then settled a heavy stare on Bramble, who remained close on Caillie’s heels as the girl wandered to the window.

“I’ll have one of our footmen care for the dog while you wait.”

“Bramble doesnae usually go with strangers.”

She barely finished speaking before the butler gave a curt clap of his hands accompanied by a sharp whistle.

The border collie turned and trotted straight to the man’s side and the senior servant led him from the room without another word.

“Come see the garden, Worthy,” Caillie exclaimed breathlessly. “It looks like a dream.”

With her gloved hands linked tightly in front of her, Ainsworth crossed to the girl’s side. The garden was extensive, with a profusion of rosebushes, flowering trees in full bud or fresh bloom, sculpted hedges, and a stone water fountain depicting a graceful female figure who appeared to have been frozen in the middle of a dance.

“It’s all right, I suppose,” Ainsworth replied. “But a bit lifeless, dinnae you think? With everything in its neat little row and all the straight lines and over-trimmed branches.”

Caillie laughed and slid her a sideways glance. “It’s not like our unruly plot, to be certain. But you have to admit, it has a charm of its own.”

“I dinnae have to admit that at all.”

“Dinnae be so stubborn, Worthy,” the girl admonished but with a grin. “You cannae go about hating everything associated with the earl and our London visit.”

“I dinnae hate everything,” Ainsworth argued.

“Just everything we’ve encountered so far,” Caillie countered.

Ainsworth couldn’t deny it. Not when she’d made sure to point out how unnecessarily soft the seats of the carriage had been, how the horses made such good time they didn’t have much chance to enjoy the scenery they passed, or how the food at the inns they’d stopped at was far too rich for their simple tastes. She’d been utterly ridiculous and unabashedly transparent the entire trip. And she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

Every single little luxury and convenience felt like another slap in the face, showing her all that the earl could give Caillie which Ainsworth could never dream of providing.

But could he give the lass the protection she needed? The support and encouragement? And the love?

Ainsworth couldn’t imagine such a gentle, selfless emotion coming from the reserved and autocratic lord.

“Pardon me, I’ve brought tea and a bite to ease your hunger.”

Turning, Ainsworth watched as a slim woman, perhaps ten years or so older than herself, came forward to set a silver tray on the table before the overstuffed sofa. The heavy ring of keys at her waist revealed her position as the housekeeper. Turning a smile in their direction, the senior servant asked, “Would you like me to pour, miss?”

“Nay, thank you...”

“Mrs. Athens, miss,” the housekeeper provided with a short curtsey.

“Thank you, Mrs. Athens,” Ainsworth said with a pleasant smile, “but we shall manage on our own.”

“Of course, miss. Just ring if you need anything else.” The housekeeper nodded then stepped swiftly from the room.

“Oh, I have to try that one,” Caillie breathed in anticipation as she reached for a heavily frosted pastry.

“Ah!” Ainsworth stopped her with the sharp word. “We’re not at Faeglen. If ever there was a time to employ proper manners, it’s now. Have a seat and I’ll pour your tea.”

Though the girl huffed a sigh, she perched herself at the edge of the sofa and smoothed her skirts over her knees as Ainsworth sat beside her. After preparing the tea, she allowed Caillie to choose the pastry then urged her to also take one of the triangle-cut cucumber sandwiches.

After enjoying the welcome respite, Caillie started wandering about the room. Her excitement simply wouldn’t allow her to sit still for long. Ainsworth would have liked to do a little pacing of her own, except it was anxiety and trepidation that motivated her. Instead, she kept her position on the sofa as her gaze swept about the room, bouncing between Caillie as the girl exclaimed over this new discovery or that and her own open perusal of the room’s décor and detail. Everything her attention fell upon undeniably evidenced the earl’s wealth and sophistication.

Though Ainsworth had grown up as a gentleman’s daughter, her father’s standing had been nowhere near to the earl’s. Rather than being impressed by her surroundings, however, she experienced a growing sense of dread with every exclamation of wonder that came from her impressionable companion.

---