Enticing the Earl (20 page)

W
ith no guests arriving until tomorrow, the gentlemen decided to hunt, leaving the women to do whatever they did all day long. Mia had no idea what women of means did during the day. At home, she would have been busy from sunrise until she retired. In Society, women seem to do nothing but gossip and needlepoint. Neither were of any interest to Mia.

Mia wandered the house, searching for the library so at least she could read. When she finally arrived via the maze of marble corridors, she scanned the shelves for something of interest. She found
The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver’d by Pirates
. She didn’t think she’d ever seen such a long title on a book.

With a shrug, she curled up into a chair to read the book and hoped it lived up to its title. Before long, the book took her away from this stifling room. Away from the polite conversations about nothing. And away from feeling completely out of place.

Until whispered voices from the room next door became shouts.

“You must accept her, Mother.” Caroline’s voice raised an octave. “She is Simon’s wife now. She will be the mother of his children.”

“Your brother is not financially sound. He needed a wealthy wife to assist him in rebuilding his life. She has nothing. She is nothing. What respectful woman has been with several men before she even married? She will never remain faithful to him. God only knows if she will deliver Simon’s child or some other man’s.”

“You must do it for him!” Caroline said. “She might not have been
my
first choice for Simon but at least he has finally wed.”

“You can accept her if you wish, but I will not.”

Caroline must have realized their voices were becoming too loud because she reverted to whispers.

Unable to hear any more, Mia stared at the book on her lap. Tears blurred the words until she saw nothing. Perhaps it would be best for all involved if she just returned to the estate and assisted her mother with healing the sick. She would still be Simon’s wife but he could attend functions without her. From what she’d heard, this was not such an unusual arrangement amongst the
ton
.

She wiped away her tears of self-pity. Simon would have to realize that these people would never accept her and not appearing with him was for the best. For both of them. He would not be embarrassed by her and she would not have to suffer through the whispered gossip about her.

“There you are.” Caroline’s voice sounded cheerful as she walked into the library. As if noting Mia’s position close to the study and red eyes, Caroline’s cheeks flushed. “We are all in the salon and want you to join us.”

She and Caroline had known each other for years. There was no reason to dance around the truth. “Caroline, you do not need to lie to me,” Mia said softly. “I couldn’t help but overhear you and your mother arguing.”

Caroline’s shoulders sagged as she walked closer. She sank into the chair next to Mia. “I must apologize for my comments and my mother’s. You must realize this was a huge surprise to us both. I will admit, I had hoped for a match between him and a friend of mine.”

“I had no idea he had an interest in another woman,” Mia said slowly.

“He didn’t, but I was hopeful he would once he met her.”

“Oh.”

“I thought he and Anna would enjoy each other’s company. But instead, I shall introduce her to James.” Caroline tilted her head slightly. “He might be a better match for her anyway. James is much more subdued than Simon.”

“How so?” Mia had never seen Simon that upset. A few times he’d lost his temper but nothing serious.

“James is just a very calm person... which is why he is good with his parishioners.”

“Of course.” Mia stared down at the book on her lap again. “Caroline, do you think I will ever come to be accepted?”

“Yes,” Caroline said enthusiastically. “The family will need time to come to terms with the sudden marriage.” She leaned closer to Mia’s chair. “You’re not with child, are you?”

Mia laughed softly. “No, definitely not unless it’s happened in the past week.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Why?”

“It would be wonderful if our children were close in age. I don’t see James getting married for a while and who knows if Charlie ever will.”

“Yes, well Charlie still has his charm. I’m sure someone will catch his eye before too long.” Mia noted the page she was on and closed the book. “Now, what is happening in the salon this afternoon?”

Caroline stood up quickly. “I almost forgot. My sister-in-law, Susan, is going to play for us. She is quite accomplished at the pianoforte.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Mia hooked her arm with Caroline and they set off down the hall.

“Thank you again for the peppermint tea. I felt much better this morning.”

Mia was happy that some of her knowledge had been of use. “You are very welcome.”

 

By the following evening, Simon noted that Mia was becoming far more comfortable than the previous days. He would have to thank his sister for that. Caroline included Mia in everything from some dress fittings to a picnic luncheon today. Richard’s sister, Susan, also seemed to enjoy Mia’s company.

It was mostly his mother who still seemed to have an issue with her.

Tonight at dinner, he watched as Mia held a conversation with Richard’s brother, Thomas. He smiled as Thomas nodded in agreement with something Mia had said to him. Simon relaxed and took a bite of salmon.

A footman walked into the room and hurriedly whispered something to Richard.

“Hart, there is a man to see you. A Mr. Tanner. He said it is of the upmost importance. Would you like me to send him away?”

Tanner! “No. I’m sorry, but I must speak with him. Please excuse me.”

“He is in the receiving salon. If you need more privacy, please use my study,” Richard said as Simon walked past.

“Thank you.” He glanced back at Mia who stared at him as if hoping he would ask her to join them. He shook his head slightly.

She gave a quick nod of understanding.

He walked into the receiving room and closed the door behind him. “Mr. Tanner, what brings you here?”

“We found Lambert, my lord.”

Waves of relief swept through him. “Thank God.”

The usually blunt Tanner went silent for a long moment. He reached for his tea and slowly sipped it.

“What is wrong, Tanner?”

Tanner sighed. “One of my men found him in London. He admitted to being Davies after some coercion from my man.”

And yet, Tanner didn’t seem terribly happy about that news. “I assume there is more to this story. What else did he confess to?”

“All he said was someone paid him to do it.”

“But why?”

“He didn’t say why the person paid him to play the part of Davies and seduce Miss Featherstone.”

“I want to speak with him.”

Tanner glanced down at his tea. “I’m afraid that is not possible, my lord.”

Simon fisted his hands as frustration grew. “And why not?” “Lambert is dead, my lord.”

Simon cursed. “What happened?”

“He shot himself in the head, my lord. My man had a witness.”

“Who was this witness?” Anyone could be bought to blur the truth.

“Lambert’s current mistress. My man found them in bed together in a hovel in Whitechapel. Lambert killed himself while in bed with her.”

“Bloody hell,” Simon muttered. “So we have nothing else to go on, do we?”

“I’m still searching for Burton, my lord. Perhaps he had something to do with this,” Tanner said quietly.

“Highly unlikely. The man was most likely out of the country with my money before I even noticed the discrepancies in the books. I doubt the incidents were related.” Simon raked his hands through his hair. He was almost ready to pull out his hair in frustration. There had to be something Tanner had missed. Some clue in that room. “Did you find anything of value on Lambert?”

“Only his personal effects.”

“No strange pieces of gold or maybe a gem or two?” Perhaps Lambert hadn’t found a thing while digging. They hadn’t. Mia must have picked up all of the treasure with those few items.

“No, my lord.”

With no other clues to go on, it made no sense to keep Tanner on when money was difficult. “Mr. Tanner, thank you for your services but I believe our business is concluded. I shall have the rest of the money sent to your London office.”

“My lord, are you certain you want to end this now? With Lambert’s death, there may be some rumors circulating that could lead us to whoever hired him. Just because Lambert is dead, it doesn’t mean you are not still in trouble. Whoever hired Lambert may still be out there looking for something from you... or her.”

Tanner certainly knew how to keep his job. “Very well,” Simon said. “You have one month. If you cannot find any credible information then our business will be complete.”

Tanner rose and bowed. “Thank you, my lord. I believe I will have something in that amount of time. In times of grief and upheaval, people tend to say more than when they are in a guarded state of mind. Someone will slip and say a name.”

“Assuming anyone knows who paid Lambert.”

“Someone will know.” Tanner smirked. “And I shall start with his mistress.”

Simon stood. “Very good. Keep me informed of your progress.”

With his frustration at a fevered pitch, Simon had no desire to rejoin the dinner party. There was no bag for punching here. No dumbbells to lift. Nothing to ease his irritation. He walked to the billiard room and grabbed a cue. He slammed the white ball into the colored ones, watching as they split apart. While it felt good, it was not the same as the physical relief he received from punching.

He turned at the sound of the door shutting behind Mia. “Are you all right?”

“No.”

“I heard Mr. Tanner was here. I take it he didn’t come with good news?” She walked up to the table and picked up a ball. She tossed it back and forth between her hands to hide her obvious nerves.

“Lambert is dead. Suicide.”

She held on to one of the balls, squeezing so tight her knuckles turned white. “So we have no way of knowing if he was Davies.”

Simon lined up his next shot and hammered the stick against the white ball sending a blue one into a pocket. “Actually, we do. Lambert was Davies.”

Mia tossed the ball on the table. “But isn’t that good news, Simon?”

“No. All Lambert said was someone hired him. But he refused to confess the name of the man. He killed himself while in bed with his mistress.” Every time he thought about this mess, his anger inched higher.

“Why did he kill himself then?”

“I don’t know, Mia. Maybe he felt the man who hired him would kill him if he gave up his name.” He turned away from her and the table. He longed to strike out at something. Hurl a glass across the room. Anything to ease this frustration edging toward the pinnacle.

He wanted to find the bastard who hired Lambert and squeeze the life out of him. His nerves were drawn tightly within him. He needed relief.

Mia came up and hugged him tightly. His body reacted immediately. Perhaps there was one way to ease his frustration.

He wanted her now against the table and no one would stop him. He rubbed his thumb against her breast until she giggled and looked up at him. Her mouth gaped, allowing him to take full advantage when he kissed her. Their tongues waged a war with each other. Her passionate response only sent him closer to a precipice.

He turned her around to face the billiard table.

“What are you doing?” she asked in a bemused tone.

“Releasing my frustrations,” he whispered as he lifted her skirts.

“Oh.”

He kissed the nape of her neck until she moaned. The redolence of her jasmine perfume seemed to urge him on. He wanted to sink into her silky depths and forget about everything that had happened tonight. Tracing a finger up her bottom, she trembled. He unbuttoned his breeches and rubbed his cock against her derrière.

“Simon, anyone might walk in on us.”

“Dinner takes hours and this won’t.”

After separating the slit in her drawers, he dipped a finger between her folds. “And based on how wet you feel right now, I don’t think you will mind this being quick.”

His finger delved deep into her womanhood until she gasped with pleasure. Feeling how hot and ready she was for him, he removed his finger and pressed his hard cock into her. Filling her completely, he groaned from the sensations growing within him.

“God,” she whispered. “Why haven’t we tried this position before now?”

He thrust into her and out, as his pleasure slowly overrode the irritation he’d felt earlier. He didn’t care if this was rougher than she was used to. Hearing her moans of pleasure urged him to go faster. Now the only thing that mattered was getting her to come so he could follow her over the edge of ecstasy.

Her body quaked as pleasure rode her roughly to the summit. “Simon,” she called out as her inner muscles clenched and quivered against him, sending him over the edge too.

“Mia,” he cried and forcefully thrust once more to the hilt.

Her spasms continued to rack her body as he spilled his seed into her. He rested his head on hers until his breathing slowly returned to normal. After a few minutes, he pushed away, drew her skirts back down over her, and then buttoned his breeches.

She turned slowly around with a frown. “What exactly was that about?”

“It’s been a few days,” he muttered the excuse.