Page 26 of Tempting the Earl

She selected her words carefully. Honest but not too honest. “He’s courteous, I suppose, when it’s warranted. But doesn’t he seem a bit...stiff and imperious most of the time?”

The girl shrugged. “I think he’s shy.”

Now Ainsworth did laugh—as throaty and full as her corset would allow. Sliding from the bed, she turned to offer a hand to tug the girl to her feet as well. “Whatever it is, I reckon he willnae appreciate if we’re late for dinner. Shall we head downstairs?”

Caillie brushed the wrinkles from her skirts with vigorous intent, then gently smoothed her hair. “How do I look?”

Ainsworth’s heart lurched at the hopeful look in the girl’s rich hazel eyes. “Perfect,” she replied, causing the girl to snort in humor at the repeated use of the word.

The child’s steps were light as she skipped ahead to leave the room first. Luckily, she didn’t look back to see Ainsworth’s smile being replaced by a look of consternation.

It was becoming harder and harder to maintain the attitude of dissatisfaction and disdain she’d vowed to uphold throughout their visit. It wasn’t natural to her and Caillie saw through the ploy anyway. Worst of all, she was starting to suspect her negativity was triggered by nothing more than wounded pride. But if she admitted the earl wasn’t as bad as she’d feared, she might have to accept he actually had something of value to offer Caillie. And that made her to wonder if maybe she’d done wrong by keeping the lass all to herself all these years.

And those thoughts simply couldn’t be born.

Since Davina’s death, Ainsworth had done exactly what was necessary to ensure the lass’s happiness and security. Just as she was doing now. Caillie belonged with her at Faeglen. London was a lark, but it wasn’t the lass’s home.

Shaw met them at the bottom of the grand staircase and led them to a large drawing room. The earl stood looking out the window at the far end of the room. In the moment before he turned around to greet them, Ainsworth openly admired his tall, masculine form and how it managed to exude both strength and sophistication at once.

She didn’t want to admire him.

And she sure as hell didn’t want him to know she admired him, so by the time he turned to welcome them, she ensured her expression revealed none of the tingling warmth that lit her blood whenever she was in his presence.

His vivid gaze fell first on Caillie. The firm line of his mouth softened as he gave an elegant bow of his head. “Miss Claybourne, how lovely you look this evening.”

The girl executed a perfect curtsey and responded in the same formal tone. “Thank you, my lord. As do you.” Then she giggled, likely realizing she’d just called the earl lovely. “I can’t remember the last time Worthy and I dressed for supper.”

As his focus shifted to her, Ainsworth found herself tensing under his regard. It had been many years since she’d bothered much about her appearance as there’d never really been anyone she wished to impress in that way. But as the earl slid a quick glance over her person, she suddenly wished her gown weren’t quite so outdated or that she’d allowed Gracie to construct a more sophisticated coiffure than the rather simple style Ainsworth had insisted on.

Then she mentally kicked herself over the thought. She didn’t need the earl’s admiration any more than she wanted to give him hers. They were adversaries. She needed to remember that.

But as his vivid gaze lifted to her face, she felt a quick leap in her chest and a tingling in her toes.

“You look very nice, as well, Miss Morgan.”

She forced a tight smile. “No need for flattery, my lord. I’m sure you’ve welcomed far more elegant ladies to your dinner table.”

There was a moment of silence as his brows dipped down in the center before smoothing out again as he replied evenly, “Perhaps, but certainly none so charming.”

Ainsworth narrowed her gaze. She was anything but charming and she well knew it. In that moment, she couldn’t decide if she should be annoyed or amused by his reply.

Then she didn’t need to decide as Shaw cleared his throat behind her.

“Mr. and Mrs. Bentley,” he announced.

Ainsworth quickly strode to Caillie’s side as the girl spun to stare at the door with wide eyes. Holding her breath, she watched as Shaw stepped aside and the Bentleys entered the drawing room.

At first glance, she might have thought it was Mrs. Bentley who was related to the earl rather than the dark-haired, broad-shouldered man at her side. The lady’s fair hair and cool elegance was a near perfect match to the earl’s refined demeanor. Mr. Bentley, in contrast, presented a far more casual manner with his slight swagger and irreverent half grin.

But then she noted the man’s eyes. The same shade of blue as Lord Wright’s, if perhaps just a wee bit lighter. Bentley’s gaze carried every bit of the intensity his brother’s stare possessed, but oddly—though perhaps not surprisingly—it didn’t have the same visceral effect upon her as the earl’s intent regard.

The earl stepped forward to greet his guests with a regal bow of his head. “Good evening and welcome.”

“Hello, Wright.” Bentley’s grin and the tenor of his greeting were very near to being taunting.

Before Ainsworth could glance to the earl to see if he was bothered by his brother’s tone, Mrs. Bentley stepped forward to execute a perfectly graceful curtsey. Her expression was reserved but kind as she said with a genuine smile, “Good evening, my lord. Your invitation is most appreciated.”

“Of course, Mrs. Bentley,” the earl replied evenly. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

---