He ought to have opted for a nap.
Natalie had known he’d arrived. Stone had informed her a few minutes earlier. What a different turn of circumstances this was from their last meeting. A quiver scuttled down her spine despite the warmth of the afternoon.
Lord Hawthorne’s demeanor was distinctly different today, as he offered her his arm. He did not speak sarcastically. He seemed, she thought, rather wary instead.
Although the man must have washed, for his hair was still damp, he remained in his traveling clothes. This was obvious as a considerable amount of dust clung to both his jacket andfitted tan breeches. Despite the condition of his clothing, his scent was not unattractive. She caught a whiff of soap and sandalwood, and—well—man.
Feeling petite, she noted he was lean but well-muscled and quite tall. She hesitated a moment before taking his arm.
“I hope my brother informed you nuncheon is casual. Cold meats, cheese, breads, and fruits are the standard fare. You need only ring if you have want of anything. My mother, of course, hopes you feel very much at home while you’re here.” Natalie addressed him cordially as she would any of Stone’s friends. After pondering her brother’s advice regarding the new earl, she’d decided to give him a second chance.
She’d so often found herself vexed by his demeanor, she failed to remember him being—hmm, not really handsome, that was not the right word—arrestingfit better. For he wasn’t classically proportioned. His chin was hard, and his nose appeared to have been broken a time or two. His eyes gave nothing away. They weren’t cold, rather too hot, exuding sensuality and tension. His arm felt firm and warm where her hand lay along the sleeve of his jacket. Such proximity inspired an inward shiver as he escorted her toward the grand staircase. It reminded her of the shock she’d felt when he’d taken her hand in the park. And what he’d done with his mouth…
“You’ll have to tell me where we are going, or I will have us wandering in circles.” He was trying to be pleasant. How bizarre! She looked up to see his expression. Of course, he was not smiling. Grimacing perhaps…
“My lord, would I be correct to assume your valet is expected later today with your baggage coach?”
The earl slowed the pace of their steps and turned to look at her. “I haven’t employed a valet for years. A waste, if you ask me. Damned ridiculous if a man can’t dress himself.” His expression betrayed his annoyance that a mere girl would takeit upon herself to harangue him about his attire. Natalie did not allow him to alter her intent.
“I will speak with my mother. We’ll assign one of the servants to valet for you,” she suggested confidently. She already had a candidate in mind. Marcus would kill to valet for somebody, anybody.
“My dear lady”—his voice conveyed acute irritation—“I shall hardly require the services of a valet for a few weeks of hunting and fishing. I am here for a quiet holiday and some sport, nothing more.”
Halting their progress, Natalie removed her hand from his arm and turned to face him. She steepled her hands in front of her lips and looked skyward, seeking the right words to get her point across. Men! They really could be foolish in the extreme!
“My lord, are you aware my mother is hosting a house party?”
He raised one dark eyebrow. “And this concerns me how? I’ve no plans to participate. I requested to bunk in the bachelors’ lodgings, but the countess insists I reside here instead. I do not expect, nor wish, to be included in any events.”
Natalie drew in a deep breath. His bluster did not intimidate her. In fact, she found his scowl rather endearing. But oh, how this man needed her assistance!
“My dear Lord Hawthorne, whether you wish it or not, you are being presented with a unique opportunity—especially for agentlemanin your…er…present circumstances.” Without thinking, she placed one of her hands over his. Yes, he was an earl, and yes, he possessed a certain rugged appeal, but his circumstancesweresomewhat pathetic. “My mother is very good friends with the highest sticklers in theton.And underthis roof, for the next two weeks, several of them are my parents’ honored guests.” She squeezed his hand with a sense of urgency. She didn’t know why it mattered, but for some reason it did. Perhaps if she were to focus on another person’stroubles, she could forget her own for a while. She put her words together carefully; this rake would not take kindly to pity.
“My parents are showing these people that they trust you in their home, amongst their family and guests. For heaven’s sake, your room is on the same floor as their only daughter’s! This is an opportunity for you to impress upon these people that you are not your father. This is a chance for you to have doors opened to you that have been closed for years. Doors that may never open for you again due to present scandals.”
Her tirade, an attempt to persuade the earl to put forth his best efforts, seemed to anger him instead. He pulled his hand away and stepped backward.
“Dammit!” He snapped his head to the side as though to gather himself, or perhaps because he was too disgusted to even look at her. “My apologies, my lady, but if I am expected to—You cannot have the slightest idea as to how repugnant your suggestion is. I did not come here for this.” His eyes looked pained, but his expression revealed barely controlled fury. “I shouldn’t have come at all. I will collect my belongings and return to my estate.”
Natalie’s eyes went wide. Obviously, she had gone too far. Stone would never forgive her if his friend left because of something she’d said. And after she’d promised to be on her best behavior, no less! “Oh, no, I’m not saying you arerequiredto put forth some sort of effort on your behalf! I’m merely saying it is anopportunityfor you. What you wish to do with it, of course, is up to you.”
She watched his face as her words settled into the charged atmosphere. Dark circles were etched under his eyes, and for just a moment, she felt sorry to berate him so. He could notreallyturn around and leave. To do so would offend both Stone and her parents. And really, the man was in no position to offend anyone who befriended him right now. “I beg you to reconsider. You are most welcome to spend your time howeveryou wish.” She winced before adding, “Stone will have my head if you leave because of something I’ve said.”
Natalie held her breath and awaited his response. A full thirty seconds must have passed before he relented.
“There will be no valet”—he spoke between clenched teeth—“as I have no need.”
Natalie watched his profile. The tensely corded muscles of his neck and his broad shoulders gave away the tension within him. He gave her the sense of a wild animal, trapped but not defeated. His voice was firm as he spoke again.
“I will not give in to this occasion by licking anybody’s boots.” He looked at her crossly. “Nor by having a servant polish my own.”
Natalie fluttered her lashes and tilted her head to the side. “So you will stay, then?” At her obvious ploy, he seemed to relax and then rolled his eyes heavenward.
“Are you going to show me where this damned nuncheon is being served or not?”
Natalie could not help but laugh in relief.Thiswas the rogue she had been expecting. Relieved she hadn’t scared him away, she took his arm and gestured toward the back of the house. “Right this way, my lord, right this way. If you prefer to carry on as an uncouth brute, then so be it. But later, when you realize how wrong you are, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
WITH A LANGUID STRETCH
