Page 35 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
“You know, Gerard, most would call you a rake as well.”
“Most men like myself are rakes, Ellen. But I have soon found that I have more pressing matters to attend to than to indulge in such wicked pleasures. Shall we move on?”
“You have not approved of any of my choices so far. I should think there are no respectable gentlemen left who have not already proposed to their intended.”
“No need to be pessimistic, Ellen. There are many a man who would fall on their swords to defend your honor.”
Ellen smiled. “You flatter me, Gerard.”
“I only speak the truth,” replied Gerard. “Now, tell me. Who is next?”
“How about Lord Charleston?”
“Thetonsays he prefers men.”
Ellen looked up at Gerard. “I do not understand what you mean by that.”
“Do you remember what I did to you in the carriage the other night?” Gerard asked. Ellen nodded.
“Well, thetonsays our dear Lord Charleston likes to do that with men.”
Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise and then confusion. “But how is that possible? He doesn’t have…I mean…it is not—” she blubbered.
Gerard grinned. “I believe he simply uses what he has.”
“And what does he have?”
Gerard suddenly stopped and looked at her slowly “I do not think it is advisable to ask such questions, my dear. They are dangerous.” Before Ellen could respond, she saw Andrew’s carriage pull up near them.
“Ridlington!” Andrew called out as he got out of the carriage.
“Your Grace,” Gerard replied. “How do you do?”
“I am very well, thank you. I should hope that you are in sound health as well?” Andrew replied.
“Yes, Your Grace. Your sister’s presence makes it all the better,” Gerard smiled at Ellen. “I was informed you were not home when I called upon Lady Ellen this afternoon.”
“Yes, indeed. I ran a brief errand, but I have now returned to watch over my sister as any good chaperone should,” Andrew said, taking Ellen’s hand. He looked in the direction of their mother’s lady’s maid, the designated chaperone for that evening, and she turned her face away guiltily.
“Dearest sister,” he continued, “if I may escort you back home now, I am certain Mother wants you back already, and it is almost dusk.”
Gerard looked for a moment like he was going to protest but decided to say nothing. Ellen nodded. She turned to Gerard and curtsied, and as he kissed her palm with such tenderness, he whispered in her ear, “At nighttime, go through the servants’ door. I will be waiting for you.” And then he let her go.
The Duke of Grant did not hear the exchange, but his stiff expression showed that he was displeased with how the Earl drew his sister in for a hug. He helped Ellen into the carriage without a word, and they rode away, leaving a small cloud of dust in their wake.
Later that evening, after she had bathed and eaten dinner, Ellen dismissed her maid under the pretext that she wanted to retire to bed early. She tossed and turned in her bed, afraid that someone knew about her plans to escape and spend another night with the Earl. Still, she felt giddy with excitement that she was undertaking such a daring venture, and when the clock struck ten, she found herself donning one of her old gowns. She wore a coat to shield herself from the cold and arranged pillows in a way that would make it seem she was still in bed in case anyone peeped into her chamber while she was away.
Once her preparations were complete, Ellen tiptoed downstairs and into the kitchen. She passed through the servants’ quarters without so much as a word to anyone and raced outside in anticipation that Gerard would be waiting.
But she was wrong. Nobody was waiting.
ChapterNine
Ellen shivered. The night was blistering cold and much windier than before. Tears stung her eyes as the wave of disappointment hit her when she realized Gerard was not coming that night. She had turned around to walk back into the Manor when a voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Giving up so quickly?”
“Gerard!” she whispered loudly. “I thought you would not come.”
