Page 67 of One Night with an Earl

“But the truth is that my desires do not matter.”

“Bloody hell, Ana. Your desires matter to me.”

Her lips parted, and he fought the urge to pull her to him and kiss her. He needed her to willingly come to him. Her consent meant much more to him than simple lust. “I told you that I’ll send an unmarked carriage at night. No one need know.”

Her hazel eyes grew wide. “I almost came to your room last night.”

“Truly?”

“I wish I had.”

His heart pounded in his chest. It was his turn to be speechless. He’d lain awake that night thinking of her. Wondering if she was as affected as he’d been sitting side-by-side watching the constellations. She swallowed, and his gaze was drawn to the smooth skin at her throat. He longed to press his lips to the wildly beating pulse there.

“All right,” she whispered.

He was afraid he’d heard wrong, that he’d wanted her so badly that his mind and ears played a cruel trick. But looking into her eyes, he saw what he’d wanted—her own longing. His skin grew hot, and he resisted the urge to shout out in male triumph. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s a yes, my lord. When you return, send word of your coach.”

Then, miraculously, she stepped close and pressed her lips to his. “I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

The morning after they returned to London, Lady Malvern requested Ana’s presence in the dining room. As soon as Ana arrived and pulled out a chair, she sensed tension between mother and daughter. A pile of invitations to parties, birthday celebrations, and balls that had arrived during their absence rested by her ladyship’s half-empty plate. Breakfast had been served, but Ana had already eaten in the kitchen.

Lady Malvern tossed down her napkin. “Our visit to Rosedown was hardly a success.”

“What do you mean, Mother?” Penelope asked.

Ana felt the need to come to Penelope’s defense. “It was a quick country visit, only a week.”

“Nonsense! An ambitious young lady seizes every opportunity.” Lady Malvern’s gaze narrowed as she glared at her daughter. “Instead, you chose to spend little time with Lord Drake, and you wallowed in your room for two days.”

Penelope shrank in her chair, a sullen expression on her face. “I told you I did not feel well and—”

“You acted as if you were on your deathbed. You’ve never been so indisposed due to your courses in the past.”

Ana knew Penelope’s poor disposition was not physical, but emotional. The girl had been so distressed that even Ana had been helpless to soothe her. Penelope needed to grieve.

“The only female who enjoyed his lordship’s company this past week was Miss Gardner,” her ladyship said.

Ana blinked in surprise. “Pardon?”

“Do not for one minute believe that I did not learn that the two of you were together the evening Penelope required your attention. Your young maid was easily influenced to tell me.”

Alarm skittered down Ana’s spine. “It was a coincidence and not a planned rendezvous. I required fresh air after the long journey in the coach. Lord Drake happened to be taking an evening stroll.”

“It’s true Ana didn’t feel well from traveling,” Penelope added.

“Were you still ill days later?”

Ana was genuinely confused. Her mind scrambled to recall when she’d been alone with the earl and if anyone could have seen them.

“From your baffled expression, I see I must refresh your memory. You were alone with Lord Drake in the conservatory soon before we were to depart Rosedown.”

“How did you—” Ana bit her lip.

“Again, your maid was most helpful. So tell me, do you have an interest in gardening that I’m unaware of?”