Earl of Sussex Read online

  But he had a decision to make. He wanted her to know that she was different from those women. Special because she was so much more than just attractive or available. She was everything he could ever want in a partner. The question was, did he want a partner?

  As he looked down into her eyes, made silver by the moonlight, he knew that he did. He wanted her, his moon goddess, in his bed every night and by his side every day. But how to convince her that those other women had been meaningless compared with her? “Tabbie,” he took a breath as he fitted her back against himself. “I won’t scheme with you to end our impending engagement any longer.”

  She took a hissing breath and attempted to jerk back out of his grasp but he was ready for it and he held her fast. Her eyes shot daggers at him. “You don’t want to marry me. You will tire of me in a month and then I will have to watch as you ogle the new Lady Ravenna.”

  “I do want to marry you. And there will be no Lady Ravenna. There never was, by the way, a Lady Ravenna in my life. I told you, I have standards. And even though she was well known for her trysts prior to and after marriage, I don’t touch unwed ladies of a marriageable age.”

  “But I saw you, your eyes were all over her.” Tabbie’s voice was sharp as though she were growing desperate.

  “I was trying to figure out how to delicately remove myself from the situation she was attempting to put me in.” He looked her straight in the eye, hoping that she might see the truth.

  “Are you going to tell me the same is true with Lady Ashford?” Her lip curled as she bent as far away from him as her body would allow.

  He wasn’t going to allow her to put that much distance between them. Bending down he whispered softly in her ear. “I never denied that I was a rake. What I need you to understand is that there is a world of difference between what I felt for Lady Ashford and what I feel for you. There is no confusing the two.”

  She shivered in his arms and he pulled her closer.

  “If I believe you, then it is my heart that is at risk and once we are married, it can not be undone. Even if you break my heart, we are tied together.”

  He grimaced. She was right. All the risk was hers to bear. “I understand. I am not asking you to commit to the engagement. In fact, I will put it off as long as I can. I only ask that you not actively try to stop it so that I may have time to prove myself worthy of your affection.”

  He felt her still against him and then relax into him, her face softening. Wanting to kiss her, he resisted, opting to graze his lips across her forehead and then bend lower to touch his nose to hers.

  Her breath caught. “What do you mean, prove your affection?”

  “I will show you that my feelings are based on your wit, charm, and depth of character. Though it does help that you look like a goddess in the moonlight.”

  “Goddess?” she squeaked.

  Luke smiled. Because while he was attempting to prove that he wasn’t a rake, it wouldn’t hurt to use a touch of his rakish charm. It had tempted many a lady. “Undoubtedly a goddess,” he whispered. “But what will keep me entertained over a lifetime is your undeniable ability to keep me on my toes.”

  Tabbie looked into the depth of his eyes, desperately wanting to believe him. This was the man who had looked through her on more than one occasion. But he had also seen her in ways so few had. Her body tingled at his touch. “I want to believe you,” she whispered back. Which was a dangerous admittance. It revealed how much she cared.

  “Have you participated in the ball at all this evening?” he asked, grinning.

  “Hardly.” She kept her eyes from rolling toward the heavens. “I hate them.”

  “Me too,” he confessed with a wink.

  He didn’t mean that. They seemed like an affair a rake would want to participate in.

  “You’re lying.”

  “I’ve told you already. I avoid ladies of a marriageable age like the plague. Besides, I prefer more quiet, intimate activities.” His lips brushed against hers then. It was scandalous. The tingling concentrated in the pit of her stomach, the juncture between her legs aching.

  “But let’s go make an appearance on the dance floor, shall we? This soiree is for us, after all. People will start to wonder.”

  “Perhaps they will wonder about you,” her voice was breathier than she’d intended. “People rarely miss me.”

  He gave her a grin. “Fools.” His grin spread. “But their loss is my gain.” And then he was pulling her back toward the throng of dancers.

  She hissed as his hand came to her waist. “You can’t do this.”

  “Oh, I can.” He winked. “I’ll fill in your dance card after.”

  “You’ve got your arm around me as though we’re already—” Her voice was breathy as they entered the throng of dancers and he pulled her into his arms.

  “You’ll have to get used it.” He gave her a devilish grin. “I don’t stand on ceremony.”

  One of her eyebrows lifted. That was the problem, now wasn’t it? “I am aware that you like to flaunt the rules.”

  Spinning her around, he leaned far closer than was decent. “Still worried about my fidelity.”

  “What lady in my position would not be?”

  “I have not married because I didn’t want a monogamous relationship. I believe in the sanctity of marriage. It is a bedrock of our society. But once I do marry, I will not break my oath.”

  She bit her lip. What she hadn’t realized in her prior meetings with Luke was how very intelligent he was. He was correct in that there was much she didn’t know about him. And while some tiny voice cried that she was going to get hurt, a much louder one was thrilled by the prospect of deepening her relationship with this handsome, intelligent man who was saying everything she needed to hear.

  Though she certainly wasn’t ready to commit to marriage. He was still a rake and she would do well to remember that fact. It was just that he muddled her thoughts so and made her want to believe him. It was so dangerous.

  As the dance ended, he placed her hand in the crook of his arm and then walked her back to her mother’s side. Her mother looked livid, and Tabbie knew she would be in a great deal of trouble for all the time she’d spent not attending the ball.

  Luke made a show of filling a second spot on her dance card and then attempted to write his name on a third. She yanked the card away, then realized how unladylike her own behavior was. What a pair they made. If they were a pair, which they most decidedly were not.

  He gestured to some chairs nearby. “I know how winded you are, my lady. If you’d like to sit this next dance out, I will be happy to attend you.”

  She bit back a smile and nodded her head. She was not at all winded but he was claiming another dance for himself in his own fashion.

  As they moved toward the chairs, she mumbled, “Keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Not a chance.” He grinned back.

  She warmed at his words because having him look upon her like this was like the sun shining down on her after a long cold winter. How long until winter returned?

  He was discreet, at least. He kept his touches light and not easily seen. Every subtle brush made her skin catch on fire anew. She couldn’t stand much more. She’d forget her resolve and throw herself into his arms.

  Standing, Tabbie tried to come up with an excuse, any reason to join her mother and stand by the wall. Her emotions were a jumble, this evening having been more eventful than she could have imagined.

  But he stood too. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Her mouth opened as she searched for words.

  “There you are, my lady.” Lord Crummell approached from her left. “We don’t want to miss our set.” He held out his arm to her.

  Deep and low, a noise not unlike a growl rumbled in Luke’s throat. She saw his fingers flex and she flicked him a view of her dance card. “He asked earlier this evening, before the library.”

  That did not seem to still Luke’s rumblings but rather amp
lify them. “Tell him you’re too tired to dance.”

  “I shan’t. It would be rude.” She sniffed then turned toward Lord Crummell.

  Luke leaned in low. “You don’t want to share me, but I don’t share well either. You’re mine now, Tabbie. Only mine.”

  “Since when?” she huffed, ignoring Crummell.

  “Since the library. I’ve made a decision and so…”

  She took a half step closer, irritation bubbling to the surface. “Well, I haven’t. I’m still deciding.” Then she turned on her heel and marched over to Crummell.

  The dance was in stark contrast to the one she shared with Luke for several reasons. Lord Crummell’s movements were insecure, hesitant, and left them bumping into one another in a most embarrassing fashion. He didn’t have the commanding presence that Luke had. Tabbie tried to ignore it and enjoy herself but it was difficult to forget.

  As if that weren’t enough, Luke stalked around the dance floor, looking like a large animal sighting its prey.

  And other partygoers noticed his behavior. Their eyes travelled from her to him, gloved hands covering their mouths to whisper to one another.

  It made her flush with embarrassment and…desire. She had seen him appraise another woman, but those had been discreet. She had only noticed because he’d been ignoring her. But this. No one in the room could mistake what he wanted. Her.

  Crummell, already out of sorts, nearly tripped over his own feet as Luke stalked closer.

  She was leading now, and pulling Crummell through the steps, praying for the dance to end. This evening had left her mind spinning, and she desperately needed some solitude to sort it all out. She knew that she should not allow Luke to affect her so, but his presence, as always, was overwhelming her, making her forget the good sense she was born with.

  Part of her desperately wanted to believe that he really did feel differently about her then the women of his past, but how could she trust in that so soon? It was foolish.

  Blessedly, the music ended and Crummell returned her to her mother’s side. But he had hardly bowed before Luke was next to her again, pulling her onto the floor.

  Her mother’s eyes were wide as Luke tucked her hand into his elbow. “This is our dance, is it not?”

  “It is not,” she answered breathlessly. “And you are doing this on purpose.”

  “Tabbie,” he leaned down to speak close to her ear. “I will confess to being a man who knows what he wants.”

  She closed her eyes. It was so tempting to get swept away. She’d like to allow him to kiss her again until she forgot even her own name. “You are terrible.”

  As their dance ended, Tabbie became aware that they had caught, not only the attention of most of the party, but of their fathers as well. The duke and marquess stood on the outskirts of the dancers watching their children with intent eyes.

  As they passed by, her father met Luke’s eyes. “See me first thing in the morning.”

  Luke gave a nod and then escorted her back to her mother. “We can’t dance again,” she whispered.

  “I know. But I won’t be far.”

  Chapter 5

  Luke crossed his arms as he stared across the desk at the duke. His father sat next to him, the marquess’s face set in a frown. Luke ignored the look. He was used to his father’s disapproval.

  The duke made of show of reading through some papers, ignoring the men in front of him. Luke waited, silent and unmoving. He would not allow either father to rile him.

  Finally the duke looked up. “I must confess that this was not the conversation I expected to be having.”

  One of Luke’s eyebrows drifted up. “I am afraid I don’t understand.”

  “I thought you might give my daughter only a cursory amount of attention. Feign interest for the sake of your father’s wishes.” The duke paused to give him a level stare.

  “I feign nothing,” he replied evenly. The man needed to have more faith in his daughter’s charms.

  “Yes, I am aware.” The older man cleared his throat. “Your interest was evident to every person present. What I am now concerned about is your intentions.”

  “My intentions are to marry her. Is that not why I am here?” He heard his father’s intake of breath and he saw His Grace visibly relax. He relaxed as well, though he kept his body still, not wanting to reveal a thing.

  “I am glad to hear it, as your interest bordered on scandalous.” He cleared his throat. “As it stands, I think we should announce the engagement quickly.”

  “Nothing would make me happier than to agree.” Luke leaned forward in his chair. “Lady Tabitha feels some hesitation do to my prior reputation—”

  “I am also aware of my daughter’s feelings,” the duke cut in.

  Luke’s father cleared his throat but blessedly he remained quiet and allowed his son to continue on.

  “I have told her that I would give her time so that I might prove myself.”

  “That is of little consequence—” the duke began.

  “Your Grace,” Luke interrupted, which was a risky maneuver. “With all due respect, you are married. How would your wife feel about you making promises to her that you did not keep? You well know how intelligent she is—”

  “’Tis a plague, really.” The duke looked up to the ceiling.

  Luke relaxed, grinning. He had found the argument that would persuade the man to give him more time. If only he had been so effective with the daughter. “I can’t speak to that. But Tabitha is unlikely to forget if I fail in my first promise, and I would see her happy in our marriage.”

  Tabbie’s father assessed him for several seconds longer than was necessary but a small smile pulled at one corner of his lips. “Very good. I too would prefer to see my daughter happy and so I will grant you time. But keep your public attentions appropriate. We will be attending the Wilkinson’s masquerade ball this coming Friday. You will join us.” His eyes travelled over the earl, the hard edge returning. “Tricia is coming out this season. I’d like Tabbie engaged. If not to you then…” the duke allowed his words to trail off.

  Luke tightened and he suppressed the rumble in his chest. Tabbie would be his, no one else’s. But he wouldn’t say that out loud now. The man who started the Wicked Earls’ Club, the Earl of Coventry, had taught him a great deal about when to speak and when to remain quiet.

  These skills had allowed him to substantially grow his holdings through successful negotiation. And he would use every skill he had to make Tabbie his.

  He stood, shaking the duke’s hand and exiting the man’s study. It was absurd that two days prior he hadn’t known her and that three days ago he’d been sure he would never marry.

  Meeting her had shifted his focus in ways he hadn’t thought possible. Hell, he had barely had a drink, hadn’t thought about gambling, wanted nothing to do with light skirts, or any other woman for that matter. His life had come into sharp focus. This was the person he wanted to be.

  His father, just behind him, reached out his hand. “Luke.”

  Luke slowed his pace to allow his father to catch up. He wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss this now. “I must find Lady Tabitha and say my goodbyes before we return to London.”

  “You’re truly serious about this lady?” His father raised his eyebrows.

  Luke shrugged. “I am.”

  “May I ask, why her? I’m thrilled. It’s what your mother and I have always wanted. I just expected it to be more difficult.”

  “I’ll explain as soon as I can form it into the appropriate words. It isn’t just that she is what I have wanted, it’s that she brings out pieces of me that I thought gone.”

  His father’s eye lit with surprise. “Coventry was right.”

  But Luke’s own eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “I don’t know how the two of you are acquainted but he seems to know you well enough to suggest that the duke’s daughter was an ideal match for you.”

  Coventry had been involved? He needed to get back to
the club and speak with his mentor.

  But first, he needed to find Tabbie.

  Tabbie sat staring out the window as her mother droned on. “How long were you hiding behind that plant? It’s ridiculous. You should have danced the night away. You’re quite pretty, Tabbie. If only…” Her mother continued on but Tabbie ignored her.

  Her mother had been so busy, she hadn’t even noticed that Tabbie had snuck off to the library, nor had her mother realized that Luke had joined her behind said plant. Not that she intended to enlighten her mother, but really.

  Nor was her mother aware that Tabbie wasn’t listening. At least until her mother mentioned Luke. “I suppose you’ve managed to capture the attention of the Earl of Sussex, though his interest is almost upsetting. Such intensity. Perhaps I should speak to your father. Sussex leaves today and these sorts of visits often end without a contract. It wouldn’t be unusual—”

  Tabbie stood, interrupting her mother. This was her opportunity. If she and her mother rejected Luke’s suit then her father would surely crumble. “If not Sussex, then who?”

  Her mother blinked up at her. “Lord Crummell, of course.” Her mother gave her a gentle smile. “He’s rather smitten with you and unlike Sussex, he is a kind and personable man.”

  This should be excellent news, but the corners of her mouth turned down. Thoughts of marrying Crummell filled her with…dull dread. While he did seem perfectly nice, he was boring, not all that sharp, and not particularly manly. He’d never understand her the way Luke did. Nor would Crummell inspire the same feelings. If he kissed the way he danced, then her life would be passionless.

  But was that better than the alternative? Luke was exciting, intelligent, and exhilarating, but likely to break her heart.

  Her mother blinked at her again, clearly expecting some sort of response. “Forgive me, Mama. I need to think all of this over. Can we discuss this again later?”

  Her mother gave her a genuine smile. “An excellent idea. A lady should take her time with such decisions. I’m glad to see you exercising some feminine restraint.”