Page 81 of Discovering Her Earl

“I am all that is apologetic for my insensitivity,” she said. It might have been received better if she wasn’t laughing through her apology.

Eventually, Julian wrangled his surly camel into obedience and they were on their way. Though they lagged far behind the others.

Lainey didn’t mind overmuch since it meant she was alone with Julian.

“I’m riding a camel in Egypt,” he said as if in disbelief. “Do you see this, Elaina? I’m on a real adventure.”

Having been to Egypt a few times before as well as many other faraway places, Lainey realized she’d come to take their adventures for granted. Here was a man who only wanted but one thing he could always claim as something he’d done.

She looked out across the desert as if seeing it through Julian’s eyes and realized how amazing this opportunity was.

“While I sometimes wish I’d had a more orthodox upbringing, I must say I’m grateful I did not. This is truly a gift.”

They made camp each night as they traveled and since they were up at first light to leave and only stopped long enough to eat and sleep, Lainey stayed in a tent with her aunt and uncle while Julian stayed with Ben.

They were not alone enough during their travels to even steal so much as a kiss, but she knew she was not the only one who suffered. She was reassured that once they made it to Dahshur and set up more permanent residences, they would have an opportunity to be alone again.

It was midday when the first pyramid came into view. They were still days away from the Bent Pyramid, but as they entered the Valley of the Gods, it was most impressive.

She looked over to Julian who was silent as he took them in.

“I knew they were immense. I’d seen paintings, but you can’t imagine this. It can only be understood when seen with one’s own eyes.”

She nodded.

“I don’t know if I’ve thanked you, Elaina.”

“Only about a hundred times,” she mused.

“I am forever grateful you allowed me to come,” he said. “Whatever happens, my father cannot take this moment from me.”

Lainey planned to do whatever she could to give Julian an experience he would never forget. And she hoped he wouldn’t forget her either for she would never forget him.

*

It had taken nearly a month to get to their expedition sight near the Bent Pyramid. The tents were put up in a cluster, but Lainey managed to keep hers closer to Julian’s and further away from her aunt and uncle.

It was an easy enough thing to sneak into his tent when the camp fell quiet that first night. His bed was larger than hers since he was a proper lord of some size.

Like hers, his skin smelled of exotic oils from his earlier bath as he removed his shirt and pulled her closer to him.

“We must be quiet,” she warned. “We are on the edge of the other tents, but we are only separated by fabric.”

He smiled and kissed her. “As I recall it isn’t me who makes so much noise as to wake an entire ship.”

She smacked him playfully and moaned softly as he kissed down her neck and pulled her shirt over her head. Perhaps he was right. She would need to be cautious of the noises she made.

It proved to be one of the most difficult things she’d ever done as he slipped inside her body and began rocking them together in earnest. She’d missed him horribly and worried what would happen when they returned to London and she would go back to her life as a spinster. How would she manage?

When her body reached the critical point when she lost complete control over herself, Julian set a scalding kiss on her lips which served to muffle her climax. He was better suited for such a tryst as he made the smallest sound during his release and then held her close until he calmed.

She would need to learn how he managed such a thing so they wouldn’t be caught. She lived in fear of such a thing, but wasn’t willing to miss the chance to be with him. It was a reckless game she played. For there could be no offer of marriage if they were caught in a compromising position. Julian had obligations to the people who depended on him.

He needed to marry a proper countess and the very fact that Lainey had sneaked into his tent to have an illicit affair with Julian was more than enough proof she was not proper.

They lay together until sleep pulled at them. Then she left his tent for her own.

That first night, as she lay alone in her smaller bed, finally sated since they’d left the ship, she allowed a few tears to fall. For she wished things could be different. She wished things could be forever.