Page 17 of One Night with an Earl

Asvadz. Her mother’s language rushed through her mind. What in God’s name was he doing here? Her thoughts were sluggish. There must be a mistake. How could Oliver be the gentleman caller for Penelope?

With steady fingers, Ana smoothed her plain gray crepe gown. For the first time, she was grateful for her dowdy clothing and the horrid lace cap. She would be unrecognizable as the vivacious Lady Scarlet.

She hoped.

Lady Malvern made the introductions. “My lord, this is my daughter, Lady Penelope.” She looked to her daughter. “Penelope, it is my great pleasure to introduce the Earl of Drake.”

This time, Ana could not control an audible gasp.

The Earl of Drake.

Her body went cold, and her skin prickled with unease. What were the chances? Of all the men who’d crossed the threshold of the Silver Chalice, why did she have to choose him?

A suffocating sensation tightened her throat. As the current earl, Oliver must know what his father had done and had made no effort to rectify his sire’s sins. He’d also had to know the dereliction of his older brother. And even if he did not know either sin, he still held the deed to Rosedown.

Oliver was just as guilty, just as much the enemy.

And she’d gifted him with virginity.

The knowledge twisted inside her, slicing like a sharp knife. Hate roared in her chest as she glared at him wordlessly across the room, heart pounding. Her fingers fisted in her skirts, and she struggled to hold onto her fragile control.

For some reason, his complete inattention pricked her temper and annoyance even more.

Son of a dog. More colorful phrases, this time in Arabic, flew through her mind.

“Lady Penelope.” Oliver bowed, his dark eyes focused on the girl’s face. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Beneath her mother’s watchful eyes, Penelope dipped in a proper English curtsy that had been ingrained in her. “Welcome to our home, my lord.”

Ana swallowed hard. Alarm and anger rippled along her spine. She wanted to shout out in anguish, but duty prevailed. The best course of action would be to excuse herself and retire to her room before she acted rashly. She needed this position and the small salary that accompanied it. And then there was Penelope.

Sweet Penelope.

Ana couldn’t abandon her to her mother’s machinations. Or to the duplicitous and dangerous Earl of Drake.

“It’s a lovely afternoon,” Lady Malvern said.

“Yes, it is. Would you like to ride in the park?” Lord Drake asked.

Penelope glanced at her mother, then nodded woodenly. “I’d like that very much.”

A chaperone wasn’t necessary in Hyde Park. Not when all of society was out and about during the promenade hour and a lady’s virtue was safe. A small sliver of hope rose in Ana’s chest.

Perhaps Ana would be excused from the task and she would not have to guard her tongue.

“Miss Gardner will accompany you,” Lady Malvern said.

Blast! Ana opened her mouth to claim a sudden headache, but her protest broke off in mid-sentence when the earl’s dark gaze turned to her for the first time. Her breathing shallowed. Warmth spiraled through her belly, and images of their entwined naked limbs rose fast in her mind.

For a heart-stopping instant, his brow furrowed, but then he looked away as Lady Malvern called for the butler to fetch their cloaks.

Ana let out a slow breath. She was furious at her vulnerability to him and just as angry at his appearance today, but at least he had not recognized her.

She would be there for Penelope, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Meanwhile, she would keep her identity secret from the Earl of Drake, locking away Lady Scarlet forever, in a secret chamber of her heart.

She prayed her disguise would hold.

…