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Just before dawn, Otilia awoke. Certain that no one should catch her in his chamber, she dressed fast and left it for hers.
A
She slept in and, according to her maid, the Lord gave instructions for her not to be disturbed. Honey eyes had opened to full morning momentarily disoriented. The previous night came rushing to her memory igniting every possible response from her body. Soreness manifested in the most unpronounceable and delicious places. And marks of his caresses spread as witnesses all over her skin. In her nightgown, she ordered a bath and dismissed her maid to enjoy it in solitude.
By the time Otilia reached the morning room for breakfast, the footman informed her the Earl had already left for the City. The financial centre of London held many banks, solicitors and lawyers’ offices. Edmund, she learned, had bought his own place there from where he managed his export company. In recent months, he added the Earldom business to it. As a routine, he spent the whole day there, returning home by late afternoon.
The library seemed a good place to take refuge and do her reading. But peace of mind eluded her. The memories of him heated her insides at the same time clashing emotions crashed within her, like waves against a cliff. Never would she have imagined that lying with a man would be so tremendously fulfilling. She had expected Edmund to be fierce and demanding. His kisses implied it. He did not disappoint in that. The moments he showed thoughtfulness and tenderness stunned her, however. His concern for her own enjoyment had been crucial for her eagerness.
Every inner emotion screamed she had done the right thing accepting to spend the night with him. And there were no regrets this morning. But he branded her with his touch. Even though she provoked him saying he was not the only man in the world, she knew he would be for her. The possibility of accepting the attention of any other simply did not exist. It was clear to her they had no future. He must marry a spotless lady and she, well, she would follow her own way. It did not matter. For the time being, she would take it in her stride. They might not even do it again, and she would have to conform to the circumstances. The memories would stay with her for her entire life though, this being the most important.
Her mind whirled so much that she decided to take a stroll in the park to see if it calmed down a bit. Long walks always worked for her. The cool day presented no sun and no rain, so with cloak and bonnet on, she left the house.
One hour into her walk, she felt refreshed. The greenery and the bird songs entertained her. They made her miss the country though. She did not have much hope of seeing the manor again. It had been the place where she grew up and was nurtured by the nearest thing she would call family. Remaining in the past was not a healthy action. At this point, her life held uncertain directions.
“Miss Kendall.” A too familiar voice called behind her.
Her feet halted, and she schooled her expression before turning to the caller. “Lord Darlington.” An elegant curtsy disguised her disgusted expression.
“What a fortunate coincidence to meet you here.” He stood too close to her, impolite and disrespectful.
“Is that so, my lord?” Her smile froze on her lips when his indiscreet gaze swept over her modest cream day dress covered by her cloak. “How fare your children?” she asked to emphasise their age gap. She had nothing against women who chose older men, but this was not her case. Choice being the crucial word here.
“Well as usual.” And as usual, he did not take the hint. “And you?”
“Could not be better.” She wished she might leave it at that and go on her way. But he would not give her the chance, naturally.
“I would have liked to dance with you at the Linton Ball, but your card seemed to be full.” Uncalled for, he took her gloved hand in his. It caused nausea to churn her stomach.
“It was, I must say.” It had been filled up by her own hand, but he did not need to learn this.
“You must have realised I am quite fond of you.” At the moment’s distraction, she withdrew her hand from his and stepped back.
“Unfortunately, not.” Her face had a coldness she did not believe it capable of acquiring.
“I am sure you already understood I would be generous with my affections,” he insinuated, trying to diminish the distance she had put between them. She kept it by stepping back further.
Suddenly, something snapped in her. She did not know if it was because of the revealing night she spent and that she now understood what to expect. Or if it gave her a new perspective over such matters. She did not care which. But she asked herself why one should endure innuendos and filthy insinuations. Or why she did it so often along the years. Alright, so she was an orphaned bastard. It did not demean her though. She had the right to be treated with respect. If she responded in a positive manner to the insinuations, he would have the possibility to proposition her. She did not, and he must understand she would not be receptive to him.
“Sadly, I do not agree,” she answered with firm resolve.
“You would, if you let me show you how.” His stance became frankly lecherous at that.
“I do not believe you heard me, my lord.” Her chin tilted up with a direct look in his eyes. “I said no.”
“But you do not fully comprehend to what you are saying no.” The insistence started getting to her.
If he only imagined how ‘fully’ she comprehended his meaning. “Lord Darlington, I will be very clear now.” Her tone left no room for doubt. “The idea of becoming your mistress disgusts me to the point of unsettling my stomach.” His middle-aged face blanched. “If you insinuate yourself to me again, I will be forced to summon help from the authorities.”
The constables would do nothing, of course. A lord propositioning a simple miss happened every day and men were entitled to their abusive behaviour. It would attach scandal to his name, nonetheless, and this would be undesirable for him.
Loathsome contempt smothered his features. “This is the best option you will ever get in your life. You are good for nothing else,” he hissed, his mask falling at that moment.
Her gaze remained cold on him. This was his tainted pride speaking, and it deserved no answer. He must just stay away from her. “Maybe,” she answered laconically. “I am afraid I ought to go.” With a curtsy, she said, “Have a good day.” Turning, she took the track that led back to Thornton House.
A
Lord Thornton entered his house like a bullet. It had been one hell of a day. First, he had awoken hard and ready, groping for his woman, to find the bed empty. And chilly. He did not remember when a woman left him alone in bed before her. Especially since he was usually the one to leave whenever he saw fit. He nearly roared like a mad man at the fact.
