Page 49 of Tempting the Earl

For now.

He settled into the seat across from her and then they were off.

The drive was short and silent as the earl seemed intent on looking anywhere but directly at her, while she felt not even a wee bit of compunction for staring boldly at him in contrast.

The simple truth was that the longer she knew the man, the more complex and intriguing he became. There was far more going on beneath his staid exterior than she’d first suspected possible. And she was inordinately curious about what exactly remained undiscovered.

A dangerous curiosity, that.

As the carriage slowed, the earl reached for the door before they even came to a stop. He didn’t wait for the footman to lower the steps as he made a quick yet graceful exit from the vehicle.

Was he simply anxious to get to the party? Or had he possibly been perturbed by the dark intimacy of their drive?

Once the steps were in place, the earl returned to the doorway to extend his hand to assist her exit from the vehicle. His grip was warm and sure around her fingers and as she found her footing on the pavement, she thought she felt the lightest brush against her low back. But then he turned and offered her a proper elbow.

She didn’t mind the formality, however, as it allowed her to feel the strength and lean power of his frame beneath her hand once again.

When they started up the sweeping front steps to the open doors of a glittering mansion, she realized with some surprise that the Bentleys’ home was far more extravagant than she’d expected. Could the owner of a gambling hell be so very rich? Apparently so.

Stepping across the threshold into a hall lit by a gorgeous chandelier, she had her first spark of trepidation.

Informal and intimate? Just friends and family?

Ainsworth almost scoffed out loud. It appeared as though half the ton was milling about in the hall at that moment. And everyone so elegant and sophisticated.

She spotted the Bentleys at the head of the receiving line as the hosts of the party. Beside Emma stood a tall man with dark hair and almost severe features. He looked...angry. Beside him stood Lily Chadwick, beaming with a beatific smile.

Was that fierce-looking gentleman the sweet young woman’s fiancé? It was difficult to imagine a more ill-matched couple. One so dark and foreboding. The other so soft and sweet.

As she and the earl approached Roderick first, the brothers gave each other a quick nod and short greeting before Bentley offered Ainsworth his hand and a wide smile.

“Miss Morgan, so happy to see you decided to endure Wright’s escort this evening.” Then he leaned forward to say loud enough for the earl to hear quite clearly, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you find more diverting company as soon as I can.”

Ainsworth glanced aside to see the earl’s brief show of irritation and then smiled back at her host. “I reckon Lord Wright might benefit from a good diversion far more than I, Mr. Bentley.”

“Hmm,” the man said with a thoughtful frown as the earl did his best to ignore them while greeting Mrs. Bentley. “You may be right, but I haven’t the slightest idea what might succeed at such a challenging chore. Do let me know if you come up with anything.”

“Of course,” Ainsworth replied with a nod before turning to the man’s fair and lovely wife. “Mrs. Bentley, how lovely to see you again.”

“You, as well, Miss Morgan. I had such a nice time on our excursion the other day. I hope it won’t be our last.” The lady turned to the earl as she gestured subtly to the man beside her. “Lord Wright, I believe you are acquainted with his lordship, the Earl of Harte, who is betrothed to my sister, Miss Lily Chadwick.”

“Congratulations, my lord,” Wright said simply before bowing to Lily. “And to you, Miss Chadwick. I wish you both every happiness in your future union.”

Lily Chadwick smiled and blushed sweetly as she murmured a shy thank you while Lord Harte just gave a rather solemn nod.

“And this is Miss Morgan,” Mrs. Bentley continued, “A new friend to the family who we hope to see much more of going forward,” she added with a genuine smile.

Ainsworth gave a proper curtsey to Lord Harte as he offered a stiff bow.

Lily Chadwick stepped forward then to offer her hand. “Thank you so much for coming tonight, Miss Morgan. I realize an event such as this might be daunting to someone new in town, but I expect Lord Wright will ensure you enjoy yourself.”

“I shall endeavor to do my best, Miss Chadwick,” the earl replied smoothly with an easy smile.

A sudden jolt of discomfort shot through Ainsworth at his genial expression and she realized in shock that it was jealousy. In truth, Lily Chadwick would probably have made a perfect match for Wright. Sweet, amiable, but with a hidden thread of boldness.

Ainsworth, on the other hand, was far too openly brash. Too obviously irreverent.

Not that she thought of herself as a match to the earl. Not at all. Of course not.

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