Page 17 of Tempting the Earl

“It’s wonderful,” Caillie exclaimed.

Ainsworth shifted her focus to the girl twirling about in the sun-drenched bedroom. Decorated in a soft shade of yellow accented with details in leafy green and white, the room boasted a large four-poster bed dressed in a sage-colored coverlet with a woven blanket in rich forest green folded across the foot of the bed. An antique writing desk stood in one corner and in the other was a washstand partially concealed by a dressing screen. A thick woolen rug was spread before the hearth and a selection of books lined the fireplace mantel. Pastoral paintings of dogs and horses and sheep graced the walls and the two wide casement windows appeared to overlook the garden below. There was even an overstuffed pillow on the floor beside the bed for Bramble.

It was perfect and couldn’t have fit Caillie any better if Ainsworth had decorated it herself.

A stabbing spear of discomfort shot through her hollow core. The first of many, no doubt.

As she slowed her breath to contain the press of emotion, the earl strode forward to show Caillie where the bell pull was located and indicated the wardrobe and chest of drawers where her things had been put away while they’d waited in the parlor.

“Mrs. Athens will introduce you to the maid who’ll be assisting you both during your stay.”

“That’s not necessary, my lord,” Ainsworth interjected. “We can get along fine without a servant.”

His eyes were stern as he replied, “Nevertheless, one has been designated to your comfort.”

As though sensing the tension between the adults and feeling a need to disrupt it, Caillie skipped toward them with a wide smile. “I love it, my lord. I can hardly believe I’m actually here in London. Thank you so verra much.”

He gave a short nod, clearly discomfited by the girl’s effusive response. “I want only for you to be comfortable. Come, I’ll show you the sitting room.”

A closed door near the desk opened to a spacious room containing another, larger desk, and a collection of two sofas and two chairs surrounding a wide, low table. The room was decorated in a darker shade of green than Caillie’s bedroom with hints of sky-blue and daffodil yellow represented in the sofa pillows and drapes and other elements. One corner of the room held a small collection of musical instruments and another had a bookcase lined with leather and cloth-bound volumes.

It was also—in a word—perfect.

Ainsworth wanted to jump out the window.

“Your room is through that door, Miss Morgan. Shall I—?”

“Not necessary, my lord,” she interrupted. The phrase was threatening to become innocuous after so many uses. “I can find my way into the next room. Thank you for your hospitality. I reckon we’ll both be verra comfortable.”

He nodded and glanced over to where Caillie was scanning the books on the shelves. “I’ll, ah, just leave you to settle in, then.”

“If I may ask, my lord, what is the expectation for dinner this evening?”

“Dinner is typically served at eight in the formal dining room. You’re both welcome to join me each evening, though there will be times I might have to go out.” He paused, then added, “Of course, if you’d prefer to take your meals privately, that can also be arranged.”

“Tonight, at least, I think we’ll take supper up here, if you dinnae mind,” Ainsworth replied.

He gave a deep nod. “Of course. No doubt you’re both weary from your travels. I’ll advise Mrs. Athens.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded, his blue eyes meeting hers again for a stirring moment before he turned and left them.

“Come on, Worthy, let’s see your bedroom.” Caillie grasped her hand and tugged her to the other connecting door.

Compared to Caillie’s sun-washed room and the forest tones of the sitting room, Ainsworth’s bedroom was awash in color. Peacock blue. Vivid plum. Red, orange, yellow, and greens of all shades. Even the bedcover was multicolored in a lively pattern of swirling foliage. In contrast to the artwork displayed in Caillie’s room, the room boasted a dramatic seascape and a majestic mountain range. And above the bed, a waterfall scene with leaping deer and endless wildflowers growing along a rocky river shore. An oversized leather chair was angled before the fireplace with a small table beside it that held a reading lamp.

“Don’t you just love it?” Caillie breathed.

Bluidy hell. She did.

Chapter Seven

Leaving his new guests to settle in, Colin tried to sort through the odd combination of relief and panic warring within him.

They had finally arrived.

Now what?

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