Page 47 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

Nora felt nauseated for the new Baroness. Another emotion swiftly arose and took its place, a simmering anger. ‘I’ve never heard of reading preventing a lady from having children. Perhaps, it is due to the husband.’

‘What nonsense!’ His watery blue eyes flashed with annoyance in his fleshy face. Nora opened her mouth then shut it when the library clerk returned with her book. Baron Umbridge’s scowl of disapproval was unmistakable as he eyed the heavy book in her hands.

It was impossible not to compare the Baron with the Earl. It wasn’t just old versus young. Rather, the men’s actions displayed their true nature. Ralston had brought her here to read and spend a pleasurable afternoon together. Umbridge sold his books and prohibited his young wife from reading. He treated her like a brooding mare.

She’d escaped that fate. Before she said something she’d regret, she made her excuses and returned to the reading room and to her husband.

Ralston stood and his grin greeted her. ‘Good! They had your book.’ A lock of hair fell rakishly across his forehead and gave him a boyish appeal.

She wanted to hug him. To kiss him. Her lips parted. ‘Ralston, I—’

‘Yes?’

She did what she wanted. Standing on tip toe, she tugged his head to hers and pressed her lips to his. It was daring in a public place, but she didn’t care. Not after her encounter with Umbridge. Her fingers buried in the rich, thickness of Ralston’s hair as her lips brushed his. His arms came around her to hold her close and deepen the kiss. In the recesses of her mind, she knew they risked discovery.

It was scandalous. Exciting. And oh, so arousing. She kissed him as she longed to be kissed, slow and leisurely. When satin brushed against broadcloth, her nipples hardened beneath her shift. Desire hummed through her, making her weak.

A low growl emanating from his chest. He pulled back a hair’s breadth. ‘Nora, you will drive me to distraction.’

She felt a thrill that she could excite him the way she felt herself. His lips captured hers once more and devoured her. She shrank against him, grateful for the strength of his arms.

He abruptly pulled back. Nora blinked, slow to understand, then heard the sound of voices.

Just then two bespectacled white-haired ladies entered the reading room.

‘Good day,’ they said as they settled on comfortable chairs by the window and opened their books.

‘Good day.’ Ralston’s voice was smooth.

Nora’s heart raced as she struggled to gain her composure. Thank goodness, he’d heard them coming! He shot her a humorous grin, took her arm and returned her to the sofa.

‘They didn’t see anything. You have nothing to fear,’ he murmured.

As she looked into his eyes, she didn’t agree. She had much to fear. Not discovery by two elderly matrons, but by the handsome, intelligent man sitting beside her. Her husband.

Nora gathered herself.

‘I spoke with one of the patrons about your work with seashells while you were gone. I hadn’t had a chance to tell you before that kiss.’ His expression was devilishly charming.

‘Oh? What did the patron say?’

‘He suggested a visit to the British Museum.’

‘The museum?’ He’d mentioned her work to others? She was still comprehending this fact when he added. ‘There is an exhibit of a traveler—Hugh Cuming, I believe.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Hugh Cuming! He is a renowned explorer and famous shell collector. His curiosity cabinets are overfilled with seashells from faraway exotic lands.’

‘Then it would be my pleasure to escort you to the museum one afternoon.’

Her breath stalled in her lungs. ‘I’d like that very much.’

Ralston stood and flashed a grin. ‘Are you ready to leave?’

A fluttering stirred deep in her chest. She was reminded that he had a busy schedule and had his own work to do to prepare for his bill. He’d carved time out of his day to escort her here for a pleasant afternoon. For her to read her books. Not for his wife to kiss him in a reading room. Still, she didn’t regret her actions. Not one bit.

As they returned to the carriage and the wheels of the conveyance jostled over the street, a tangle of confusion and emotions knotted in her chest. Protecting her heart was becoming increasingly difficult.

And that frightened her most of all.