Page 29 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“What the bloody hell!” Nash bolted up from his prone position as hairy bodies jumped on the bed, barking, growling, and using their teeth to grab the blankets off him and Arabella. “Arabella!” He began shoving the dogs from the bed to the floor, but they bounded up again.

His wife sat up, laughing and rubbing the animals. “Good morning, my friends.”

He looked at her aghast. Yes, she was indeed laughing. Stark naked, looking well-loved, and laughing! Her hair was in disarray, she bore a slight beard burn on her shoulder’s lovely skin, and all he wanted to do was climb on top of her and repeat last night’s pleasure. Instead, he was tossing bodies off his bed.

“Arabella, get rid of these animals! I told you they were not to be in the bed.” He looked toward the open door. “Who the devil let these demons in?”

Sophia’s shaky voice came from the corridor. “I am sorry, my lord, they followed me up the stairs and raced in as soon as I opened the door.”

Between laughs, Arabella said, “It is all right, Sophia. They’re excited to see me.” She glanced at Nash. “They usually sleep in my bed.”

Nash hopped off the mattress, cringing as he stepped on a creature who no doubt thought himself a canine, when he was no more than a woolly rat. Reaching for his banyan, he shrugged into it, tying the belt so tight he winced. The devil take it, the bedroom was a disaster. Two of the dogs were chasing each other around the room, jumping on the bed and then off again as they continued their run.

Nash put his finger and thumb to his mouth, and holding his lips apart, let out with a loud, long whistle. Everyone stopped moving, even his wife, who stared at him wide-eyed. He opened the door to the corridor and waved. “Out. Every last one of you. Out.”

Amazingly enough, the dogs all meekly lumbered past him, heads down. No, he would not feel guilty. Not even when he saw the disappointment in Arabella’s eyes. “I will see a kennel built for them immediately,” he fumed. “Until such time that they can be removed to the kennel, you will inform your lady’s maid to be careful when she opens doors.”

Arabella raised her chin. Was she unaware of the fact that she was naked, and the top part of her glorious body was in full view in the sunlight? Her hair resting against her alabaster skin had his mouth watering. She still had the flushed look from sleep, and if his morning erection grew any larger, he’d be unable to walk.

“Am I to be ordered out of the room as well, my lord?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “No, you will not be ordered out of the room. But I told you there would be no animals in my bed.” He grinned as he crossed the room and joined her. “Only me.”

Flushing at his words, Arabella’s voice grew deep, and her breathing rapid. “Please make it large enough so they can run and play.”

“I will see to it.” He looked longingly at her, then realizing she was probably sore from the previous night, reached for the gentleman within. “I will leave you to prepare for the day. I would suggest you have Sophia arrange for a warm bath for you to ease any soreness from last night’s activities.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the tip of her delicate nose. “I will see you at breakfast.” After reaching the door, he turned back. “I plead ignorance of your normal routine. You have been having trays in your room during your illness. Do you prefer to continue that?”

“I am generally of a robust nature. I prefer a hearty breakfast and then a ride. Has my horse, Bessie, been brought from my townhouse mews?”

“Yes. I saw to it yesterday. If you have no objection, I would like to join you on your ride?”

Arabella dipped her head. “As you wish.”

“Ah. But do you wish? Or am I in trouble with my new countess over her animals?” He gave her what he hoped was a charming smile. As much as he despised animals in the house, he didn’t want to start off this marriage on the wrong foot, particularly with how things had gone the night before. He’d discovered a deep passion in his lovely wife and looked forward to unleashing that passion in the future.

“Yes. You are welcome to join me. However, I would appreciate you not telling me how I may, and may not, ride.”

“Perhaps your appreciation could be shown in some interesting ways?” He lounged in the doorway, a smile leisurely settling on his lips.

She fought and failed to keep the smile from her lush lips. “I am certain I do not know what you mean.”

The devil take it, she boiled his blood. “Oh, but I think you do know.” He lowered his eyelids. “Have no fear, my countess, I will think of something appropriate.” He winked at her, and with those parting words, left her and rang for his valet, Andrews.

Once his morning ablutions were completed, he descended to the breakfast room, surprised to see his mother sitting at the table. “Good morning, Mother. I haven’t seen you at breakfast in years.”

“I am traveling today.”

“Indeed?” Nash filled a plate with eggs, oatmeal with sweet cream, bacon, smoked herrings, sardines with mustard sauce, and grilled trout with white butter sauce. He added two thick slices of bread to his repast and moved to his seat at the head of the table. “Where are you traveling to, may I ask?”

“I am off to visit Eugenia in Devonshire.” The dowager countess took a sip from her teacup.

“Please tell me I am not chasing you from the house with my marriage.” He shook out his serviette and placed it on his lap.

“No, and a little bit, yes.”

“Perhaps you should explain, madam.” Hungry from all the activity the night before, and battling with furry creatures earlier, Nash dug into his food as his mother spoke.