Andrea Pickens - [Lessons in Love 03] (34 page)

Lessons in Love

Book Two

Excerpt from

Second Chances

Lessons in Love

Book Two

by

Andrea Pickens

Award-winning Author

SECOND CHANCES

Reviews & Accolades

"Creating a marvelous heroine... Ms. Pickens combines a wonderful sense of the absurd with appealing emotional intensity to create a lilting romance for all to enjoy."

~
RT magazine

Her mind was so occupied that Allegra failed to notice that Lord Wrexham had reined his mount to a halt and was watching as she scrambled over a tall stile. Smoothing her skirts down over her sturdy half boots she suddenly became aware of his presence. Though the unbecoming bonnet shaded most of her face, a hint of a frown peeked out from beneath the broad brim.

Drat the man
. She really preferred to avoid him as much as possible.

"Oh—good afternoon, my lord." Her tone was as chilly as her expression.

He inclined his head a fraction. "It appears you are partial to taking the country air."

"Lessons are over for the day. I am following your wishes to make myself scarce."

"I did not mean it literally, Mrs. Proctor," he replied dryly. "Do not feel that you must... wear yourself to the bone."

Her lips repressed a smile. So the earl actually had a sense of humor. "I enjoy doing a bit of sketching," she said.

Wrexham raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have expected you to indulge in such a frivolous pursuit."

"It does not meet with your approval? Perhaps you consider it a pastime fit only for young females."

The earl dismounted with an easy grace and fell in step beside her. There was a flash of amusement in his eyes at her last comment, though he chose to ignore her challenge.

"What you choose to do with your own time is your concern, Mrs. Proctor," he answered as he casually wrapped the reins of his dappled grey stallion around the long fingers of one hand. "My concern is with Max."

Her eyes shot up to meet his. "Is something wrong?"

"Not at all," he admitted. "Max has made great progress in his studies. He has responded well to your teaching."

She looked at him warily. "I trust you do not mean to imply..."

"No. I do not believe you are throwing your cap at my son."

"I should hope not," she muttered. "Why, I'm almost old enough to be his mother."

The earl appeared to be regarded her face and the errant wisps of honey colored hair that curled around her ears. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Max is a highly intelligent young man," she continued. "It has been a pleasure to work with such a good student." She hesitated for a moment. "He is also unfailingly polite, cheerful and courteous."

"Unlike his father," murmured Wrexham.

She opened her mouth as if to speak.

"It does seem that his moods have improved considerably," he went on, without waiting for a reply from her. "At least he is no longer flying into the boughs every time I speak to him." He shook his head. "I know this is an awkward age for him, but I was beginning to think he couldn't abide my very presence."

"You needn't worry on that account, my lord. Max thinks you are—how did he put it—a great gun."

"He said that?" The earl's features softened perceptibly.

"Indeed he did."

"Thank you, Mrs. Proctor," he said after a moment. "You did not have to say so."

Allegra decided to change the subject. "I was wondering sir, have you made any progress in finding a new tutor for Max?" After a tiny pause, she added, "I know how much you disapprove of having a female performing that duty in your household."

Wrexham walked on for a few paces before answering. "No. I have not." His eyes strayed to the scudding grey clouds moving in over the craggy hills. "It seems we are in for some rain shortly. I fear you had best come up with me if you are to avoid getting drenched."

"That is not at all necessary. I don't mind a spot of rain."

"Max would no doubt ring a peal over my head if you took a chill and were unable to preside over the schoolroom." Before she could argue any further, his hands came around her waist and lifted her effortlessly up across the saddle.

He mounted as well and steadied her until she was settled into a more comfortable position in front of him. Her skirts fell in folds over his left knee and she was disconcertingly aware of the warmth radiating from his muscled thigh. To her further dismay, his arm circled her waist as he took up the reins in one hand.

"Really, my lord! There is no need for you to trouble yourself..."

His face was quite close to hers. The spicy, slightly exotic scent of bay rum and leather filled her senses as he replied. "Ulysses can carry both of us with ease."

"Well, as long as he can find his way home," she murmured.

He threw back his head and laughed. "I shall have a care that the Sirens do not lure us off course."

In spite of herself, she smiled too. She had forgotten how refreshing it could be to have a lively conversation with a someone whose sharp wits and obvious erudition matched her own. Most people didn't understand her pithy observations, or simply missed her meaning altogether. She had a feeling the Earl of Wrexham was a man who missed very little.

She would definitely have to be on guard.

Second Chances

Lessons in Love

Book Two

by

Andrea Pickens

~

To purchase

Second Chances

from your favorite eBook Retailer,

visit Andrea Picken's eBook Discovery Author Page

www.ebookdiscovery.com/AndreaPickens

~

Discover more with

eBookDiscovery.com

Andrea Pickens created her first book at the age of five—a neatly penciled story about cowboys—however she has since moved on from Westerns to writing about Regency England, a time and place that has captured her imagination ever since she opened the covers of
Pride and Prejudice
.