Page 101 of One Night with an Earl

Lady Malvern looked taken aback. It was not Ana’s place to act as housekeeper, or maid, but it was Oliver who spoke first.

“My grandmother loves tea,” Oliver answered.

“Yes, tea would be lovely,” the dowager agreed.

“Please see to it. That will be all, Miss Gardner,” Lady Malvern instructed, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.

Ana curtsied. “I shall be in the music room if you need me.”

Would he understand?

Ana stopped a maid and instructed that Lady Malvern desired a tea tray, then she headed for the music room and slid the door closed. She went to the pianoforte, sat on the wooden bench, and pressed a key. The sound echoed throughout the room, a lone note that matched the maelstrom of her heart.

Only five minutes passed before the door opened. Ana spun on the wooden bench as Oliver stepped inside and closed the door. “I was hoping you would interpret my message and come. What excuse did you give?” she asked.

“The ladies are waiting for the tea. I excused myself for a moment. I also want to be sure that you are not worried.”

Ana stood. She was worried, but not for the reason he believed. “I understand that you must do what is best for the earldom, my lord.”

His brow furrowed. “You cannot seriously mean for me to marry Penelope?”

“Not Penelope, but another suitable heiress. There are plenty on the marriage mart.”

“The coffers of the earldom are rich. I do not need an heiress.”

“I can only assume your grandmother would not agree with your assessment.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

What on earth did that mean? Did he plan to tell his grandmother about her?

Impossible.

No matter how Ana longed to be with him, deep down she knew it was not possible. She had her own confession, and a stab of guilt for not telling him yet lay buried in her breast.

In three strides, he was by her side and took her in his arms. “I thought about you all day, all during the carriage ride here, and while I sat in the parlor facing the group of women. The thought of being here, knowing you are within reach and not being alone with you, is driving me mad.” His voice was gruff.

Warmth followed the path of his hand, heating more than just her back. The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes startled her. All rational thought fled, and she struggled against the tug of attraction.

Only two rooms separated them from the parlor. The study and this music room. The threat of discovery was real. She placed a palm against his solid chest. “I thought of you, too.”

“I need to hold you, to kiss you.”

Her reaction was immediate, intense. But if he kissed her, then all would be lost. “I’d like nothing more, but I have to tell you something first. Something important.”

“Later. The blasted tea will arrive. We don’t have much time.”

He lowered his head until his mouth hovered over the curve of her neck. His breath was enticingly warm on her skin. Blood coursed through her veins in anticipation like an awakened river.

“My lord,” she sighed. “I really must tell you—”

His lips brushed her neck, the scrape of his teeth against her skin sending a sharp pang of wanting through her limbs that threatened to melt her bones and all vestiges of her resistance. Her heart hammered foolishly, and she leaned closer to him, closer to his heat.

She let out a low moan. “Lord Drake—”

“Lord Drake!”

Startled, they whirled to finding the dowager in the open doorway with Lady Malvern right beside her.