Page 35 of 10 Things I Hate About the Earl

“I missed you too, my lord.” She was surprised by how much.

Haversham sighed and looked away. “I think we’d best join the others.” He stepped back, adjusting his clothing.

Lord, what must she look like after that interlude? Her hands flew upward, but her hat was still on her head. Carefully, she stepped away from the tree, brushing at the back of her gown. “Is there any bark clinging to me?” She turned to Haversham.

He eyed her from a distance. “Nothing seems out of place, thank goodness. Your brother would have my head on a plate, Miss Locke, if he knew we’d been indulging in this kind of fireworks.”

“Kate.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“After kissing me like that,” she ducked her head, “I suppose you really should call me Kate.”

He laughed. “I shall be honored to do so…Kate.”

She liked the way he said that in his rich, deep voice.

“Will you call me Marcus? My family always has. I prefer it.”

Was she really standing here, breathless from the Earl of Haversham’s kiss, being encouraged to call him Marcus? The world had turned upside down. “Yes, Marcus.” His name sounded good in her mouth. He felt good on her mouth. Oh, Lord. Her cheeks would burst into flame.

“We really must get back, Kate. I’m serious about what Ainsley will do should he suspect.” He grasped her hand and helped her back to the pathway. “This way.” He led them back a different way, so they emerged not far from the spot where everyone was standing, looking up at the streamers exploding overhead.

“How do you know so much about the dark paths of Vauxhall, Marcus?” She sent him a saucy glance as they took up places just behind their party.

“There are some things, Kate, you are better off not knowing.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Are you attending Mrs. Doyle’s card party tomorrow night?”

“Unfortunately not. Nathan and I are promised to Lady Grayson for dinner and a political evening.” Kate made a face. She hated such meetings, but Nathan would accept invitations from political hostesses from time to time and drag her with him. Now that Marcus had returned, she’d much rather spend time with him, but her brother wouldn’t likely let her cry off.

“Better you than me.” He grinned down at her. “Then will you drive with me on Saturday? To Hyde Park?”

“Are we to renew our battle lines with another skirmish or will it be all-out war this time?” She grinned back at him.

“Oh, I believe it will be winner take all.”

Something in his voice made Kate catch her breath.

Between Celinda’s prediction and the searing kiss she couldn’t quite convince herself had just happened, Kate found it difficult to deny the likelihood that Lord Haversham might be taking her to the park to propose to her.

And if he did that, what on earth would her answer be?

Chapter 16

Saturday morning dawned bright, the sun shining without a cloud in the sky. Kate took that as an auspicious omen for her forthcoming ride with Marcus. Standing in the foyer, peering out the window waiting for him, she whispered the name, savoring it like a forbidden sweetmeat. She’d been saying it to herself ever since Thursday night at Vauxhall—in her head throughout the day, and in surreptitious whispers at night when she was in her bed, alone. Perhaps that would not be the case much longer.

Once Celinda had sown the seeds of the possibility, Kate hadn’t been able to shake the idea that Marcus might be getting ready to propose to her. Perhaps even today. Their bantering, so vitriolic at the beginning of the Season, had become less barbed and more playful. And Kate could easily admit to enjoying the earl’s company now, particularly because of their spirited exchanges, and she assumed he felt the same—why else had he been seeking her out so much? And after that unexpected and thoroughly heart-stopping kiss the other night, she shouldn’t delude herself anymore. Marcus was an honorable gentleman. If he kissed her, it meant he was planning to propose to her.

And if he did, she was going to say yes.

Cheeks heating at the thought, Kate fanned her face with her hand and hoped Marcus didn’t show up just yet. She’d hate to have to explain her blushes.

The sound of a vehicle pulling up to the curb made her glance out the window. Drat it. There was Marcus, right on schedule. Hurriedly, she pulled on her gloves, and at his knock, rushed to the foyer, hoping her haste to meet him could be given as the reason for her pink cheeks should Marcus remark on it. She actually beat Parker to the door by several steps, drawing a look of reproach from the butler. She pulled it open, beaming at the surprised look on Marcus’s face.

“Does Ainsley not employ a butler anymore, Miss Locke?” Marcus asked as she stepped across the threshold. “I distinctly remember Parker opening the door to me until recently. Did he seek employment elsewhere?”

“No, he’s still here, just slower than I am.” She frowned. “You’re supposed to call me Kate now. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about…about that.” If he’d forgotten their kiss, she would declare war—and use something other than grapes as ammunition.

“How could I ever forget about that, my dear?” The warmth in his eyes told her he had not. “However, I will not disrespect you by calling you so familiarly in front of the servants. In private, it will be a different matter.”