After taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and pushed her way into the masculine abode. Oh Lord, he was not alone.
Marcus was gathering the earl’s discarded clothing and preparing to leave his new master for the night. His eyebrows rose in surprise upon seeing Natalie standing at the open door in her dressing gown. “Did you forget that Joseph no longer lives here, my lady?”
Just then Lord Hawthorne appeared from behind the privacy screen. He was barefoot, wearing a deep blue silk dressing gown loosely tied at the waist. The hem barely skimmed the floor. Unbidden, Natalie imagined strong calves rising from those slim masculine feet. As the gown gaped, a deep V of his naked chest stole her attention. The smattering of black hair contrasted with the paleness of his skin.
Natalie tried to remember what Marcus had said. Oh, right, something about this being Joseph’s room. “Er, ah, no, Marcus, I have something of import that I must discuss with Lord Hawthorne.”
If Marcus could have raised his eyebrows any higher at that moment, Natalie felt certain he would have.
“That will be all, Marcus.” Lord Hawthorne dismissed the valet. “Lady Natalie will be returning to her own room very shortly.”
Marcus walked toward the door, surreptitiously throwing a speculative glance at Natalie. When he was near enough that he blocked the earl’s view of her, she raised one hand to her mouth and made a motion as though locking it with a key. As understanding dawned, Marcus smiled conspiratorially, and then he mimicked her motion.
Accomplices from an early age, she knew he’d not give her secret away. Handy thing, she mused, having a man’s valet for a friend.
Marcus closed the door behind Natalie, leaving her and Lord Hawthorne—scandalously—alone.
Lord Hawthorne took a seat on one of the cushioned chairs and reclined with a suspicious glower. As he crossed one ankleover his other knee, his dressing gown fell open, revealing a glimpse of one very masculine calf and thigh. Natalie noticed there was less hair above his knee than below it. Would the curling hairs be soft to touch? Her fingers itched to find out.
“Is there something I can do for you,my lady?” He pronounced her title with sarcastic emphasis, as though to insinuate she was notactinglike a lady.
“Um, oh, yes. I was concerned at how we parted.” She paused. “I rather thought we were coming to be friends...and I didn’t want to go to sleep thinking…Well, I didn’t want for you to go to sleep feeling angry with me.” She fidgeted with her fingernails. At the end of her poorly rehearsed speech, she peered at him from beneath her lashes. Good Lord, this man was absolutely delicious. However had she thought of him as not-quite-handsome before? With his freshly washed hair, dressed in silk, he made it difficult for her to think straight. She was lucky she’d gotten as many words out as she had.
Garrett stood. He’d behaved unmannerly to remain seated when she entered the room. He should feel guilty about that. Walking across the carpet, he gestured toward the velvet-covered armchair nearest her. “Won’t you sit?” He was not going to banish her immediately. He looked thoughtful. Perhaps he wanted to apologize as well.
Smoothing the front of her dressing gown, Natalie sat in the chair he’d indicated. “Thank you.” They might well have been in the drawing room with both doors thrown wide open for the formality with which they both spoke.
Garrett returned to his own chair, pulled it closer in front of hers, and sat.
Leaning forward, he draped one arm over a knee and an elbow on the other, resting his chin upon his closed fist. He regarded her with an intensity that made her want to squirm.
“You are right, you know,” he conceded softly. “In your opinion that I am lucky to be allowed a second chance.” Hiswords surprised her. “I have spent the last decade doing nothing to garner regard amongst society. I have gambled, fought duels, spent time in brothels, and God forbid, made money in business. And when I did attend atonevent, I showed no regard for propriety, as you well know.”
In a rush, she interrupted his confession. “Why? Why did you do that?” She needed to know. It was as though, within him, there were two different men. For he had not taken advantage of her when given the opportunity earlier tonight.
He grimaced. “Does it matter?”
“It does,” she said.
Silence fell so heavy in that moment that the sounds of servants walking overhead suddenly were most apparent. Would he answer her? He looked so very vulnerable. She again felt pulled toward him, as she had in the dining room. But in this moment, she wanted to kneel before him and wrap her arms around his waist.
She sat very straight—feet and knees together—on the elegant high-backed chair.
She didn’t move. If she made any move or motion, she feared the intimacy of the moment would be broken and he would snarl something sarcastic.
“I don’t know.” His voice was low and sounded hoarse. He wasn’t looking at her, but at the carpet on the floor between them. He cleared his throat and then looked back at her defiantly. “That’s not what we were talking about, anyhow.”
She could tell he didn’t want to discuss his past. She supposed he thought he didn’t need her pity. He was a very proud man.
“I was saying that, upon reflection, I agree that I am lucky. Yes, I have a second chance to be accepted into society—to regain honor and respect for the Hawthorne earldom. And I believe I may do well to take full advantage of this.” He leaned forward again, his demeanor ominously serious. Hespoke as though he needed to make her understand something very important. “You, my dear lady, are very, very lucky as well.”
When she tried to interrupt him, he went right on talking. “No, do not belittle all you have. I am not referring to this beautiful home and all the material wealth your family is able to bestow upon you. I am talking about your brothers and your parents.” He swallowed hard. “You have siblings who would kill anyone who dared ever hurt you, a father and mother who would doanythingto ensure your happiness. They all love you deeply. Good God, they smile at you.I have even seen your fatherhugyou! In public, no less.”
Garrett paused a moment. “I beg of you, do not dismiss this.” At that, he went silent. A lump had formed in his throat, and he resented it. He rather resented the emotions threatening to overcome him. He far preferred his normal cynical indifference. How had it become so corroded?
“Well, blast.” Lady Natalie looked as though she’d tasted something sour.
Garrett sat back, startled. He realized he oughtn’t to be startled by anything that came out of this chit’s mouth, but he was, nonetheless.
