Page 70 of Tempting the Earl

Scowling, the girl asked, “Who, then?”

“Ah, well, it turns out your brother Mr. Thomas is in town from Wales and made a brief stop at the Bentleys’ home last night.”

“Mr. Thomas?” Caillie exclaimed as she looked to the earl for verification. When he nodded, she quickly asked, “Well, when shall I meet him? Will he come to dinner tonight?”

“I’m afraid, that is unlikely,” the earl noted calmly. “It seems Mr. Thomas has not changed his mind about having no wish to explore our connection further.”

The girl’s crestfallen look made Ainsworth’s heart ache, but it quickly shifted into an expression of confusion. “If he didnae want to ken more about us, why did he come to London?”

The earl looked to Ainsworth, who gave a small shrug. “I’m not certain, luv, but we’ll need to respect his choice.”

For a moment, the lass looked to be in stubborn disagreement with that plan. But then she looked to the earl and said in assuring tone, “He’ll change his mind, Colin. I ken it for sure.”

The earl nodded but then rose to his feet, “I hope you’re proven correct, Caillie. I truly do. In the meantime, I’m afraid I have a few matters to attend to that will keep me away for most of the day. I’m afraid I’ll miss our daily luncheon.”

Though her disappointment was clear, Caillie gave a smile. “I understand.” Then she grinned. “You’ll just have to make it up to me by taking me to the British Museum on Saturday. Worthy, as well, of course.”

The glance he gave Ainsworth was intense but fleeting, telling her nothing as he turned a charming smile to his sister. “I would be honored to escort you both.”

The girl gave a hearty whoop of excitement that quickly faded as Ainsworth declared it was time for them to make their way to the schoolroom.

Unfortunately, the lass’s enthusiasm didn’t return over the next hours. In fact, it only continued to wane as they slogged their way through lessons. The role of governess was by far Ainsworth’s least favorite of all she’d taken on over the last decade, but she was committed to providing Caillie with a full and broad education, even if that meant occasionally learning some subjects alongside her student. Today, unfortunately, was proving exceptionally tedious and by the time they reached their midday break, they were both ready for the momentary reprieve.

They decided to share a light meal in their sitting room, which was drenched in the afternoon sun. After calling a maid to request a selection of sandwiches and tea, Ainsworth and Caillie had just settled comfortably on the sofa when Shaw appeared in the doorway.

“Pardon me, miss, but Lady Watson has arrived and is awaiting an audience in the parlor.”

Ainsworth tensed. Lady Watson? The earl’s mother? “Did you advise her the earl was away?”

“I did.” The butler nodded. “She said she’s more interested in speaking with you and Miss Claybourne.”

“Who is Lady Watson?” Caillie asked.

Ainsworth glanced at the lass with another flash of tension. Considering the lady’s words at the party last night, there was a possibility her visit today wasn’t entirely friendly. It might be best to insist Caillie remain up here while Ainsworth went down to the parlor. But before she could voice the decision, Lady Watson swept elegantly and forcefully around Shaw’s tall form in a swirl of burgundy taffeta.

“Hello again, Miss Morgan, wasn’t it?” the lady exclaimed with a graceful gesture of her beringed hand as she strode into the room.

Stunned by the bold intrusion, Ainsworth almost forgot to stand and drop a quick curtsey. “Good afternoon, Lady Watson.” Meeting the lady’s keen gaze, she added, “I must say it’s a bit of a surprise to see you today.”

The older woman responded with a smile that managed to be both charming and sly at the same time. “I imagine it is, my dear, but my curiosity wouldn’t be ignored. I simply had to meet your young ward.”

Ainsworth tensed as the earl’s mother turned to Caillie. “You must be Miss Claybourne.”

Executing a far more graceful curtsey than Ainsworth had managed, Caillie offered a friendly smile. “Aye,” the girl replied, “and you are?”

Lady Watson’s laugh was quick and lovely. “I’m Lord Wright’s mother, my dear. Which makes me a sort of an auntie to you, I suppose.”

It did nothing of the sort, Ainsworth nearly retorted.

“How wonderful,” Caillie replied and something in her tone had Ainsworth wondering how much Colin had told the lass about his parents’ marital dispute.

Seeing that Shaw still stood in the doorway—his expression flickering with a hint of shock at their guest’s forwardness—Ainsworth gave him a nod of dismissal before turning back to Lady Watson.

“Would you like to have a seat, my lady?”

“I’d love to.” Colin’s mother glanced curiously about the room as she quite literally sashayed to a cushioned armchair. “This is a lovely little room, isn’t it? I quite like what Colin did with the place after his father finally released his choking grip on life.”

Ainsworth coughed at the callous reference to the prior earl as she and Caillie reclaimed their seats on the sofa. As though understanding the cue, Lady Watson turned wide eyes to the girl. “I do not intend to offend, Miss Claybourne. I hope you understand...I’ve a rather difficult history with your, ah, father,” she finished with an obvious hesitation followed by a smile that was almost apologetic.

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