Page 86 of One Night with an Earl

The candlelight highlighted specks of green in her eyes. “Such as?” he asked.

“What about your childhood? Were you a reserved child? Or a precocious one?”

“More precocious,” he said.

“Really? You must have kept your nursemaid busy.”

He smiled. “She claimed I gave her all her gray hair. My mother, as I mentioned, was a cold woman and could not be bothered by me.”

“What of your father?”

“The old earl was no better.”

Was it his imagination or did she slightly stiffen in his arms? He was attuned to the slightest change in the rising and falling of her chest, the flaring of her eyes.

“My parents had a loveless marriage,” he said. “They married for advantage, nothing uncommon amongst the aristocracy.” It was what he’d always expected for himself. The only difference was he hoped he would like his wife and that they could agree on a monogamous relationship.

“What about your brother?” she asked.

“Henry took after my father. They loved their clubs and their pleasure haunts. Neither cared for their responsibilities, only the money in the earldom’s coffers.”

“Whereas you care a great deal about your duties.”

“It’s who I am.”

“How are you so different from your brother?”

“Who says siblings have to be the same? Or fathers and sons, for that matter.”

Her fingers ceased their caresses. Her eyes were lowered, and he could not tell what she was thinking. “No one, I suppose. But I am thankful that you turned out to be the man you are.”

Her words should not matter, but he was surprised how they touched him. She was a survivor, like him. Their pasts may have been vastly different, but they had both overcome obstacles. He was the second son of an earl, who’d inherited the title and fortune after his brother’s death. After the death of her parents, Ana had to seek employment to provide for her younger brother. He truly did admire her.

Her lips brushed against his throat. His cock instantly took notice. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her.

“Let us not waste the night,” she murmured.

He couldn’t agree more.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Despite the danger, Ana knew Penelope would want to visit Lieutenant Smithfield as much as possible. She put off the girl’s pleas until she became afraid Penelope would sneak out of the house on her own. The following morning, Ana told Lady Malvern she would accompany Penelope on a stroll in the park. Meanwhile, Ana insisted Penelope wear the cloak and that they hail a hackney, just like their last visit.

Lieutenant Smithfield was dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed when they arrived that afternoon.

“You are up and looking quite dapper,” Penelope said.

“Good news. I feel well enough to take a short sojourn to see my family.”

“Good news indeed! But is it too early to leave your rooms here?” Penelope asked.

“It has been over two months since the injury, and I am most anxious.” He reached for a cane by his bedside, rose, and walked around the bed. A slight flinch pinched his face, but he was quick to smile to hide his discomfort.

Penelope clapped her hands. “Wonderful!”

“I’m happy with my progress.”

Ana stood in the corner of the room. “Will you consider keeping your commission? I understand there are many soldiers with injuries in Chelsea.”