Page 34 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“Now you went and ruined it.” She accepted his hand and rose. “I do not see why I cannot continue to help my animals. For heaven’s sake, no one needs to know. Besides, Her Grace, the Duchess of Manchester conducts her botany experiments by digging in the dirt, and her husband not only allows it, but follows her about to help.”

“Everyone is aware that Manchester allows his duchess to act in an unseemly manner because he is completely besotted with her.”

As you will never be with me, nor I with you.

“If you will excuse me, my lord, I have a few items to take care of before I dress for dinner.” Her back stiff, she swept past him and left the room.

“What about this mess in my library?”

She turned back to him with her hand on the door handle. “If a countess does not perform surgery, then certainly, a countess does not clean, my lord. I will have the maids see to it.” With a little more enthusiasm than was warranted, she closed the library door just as Nash let out with a wholehearted sneeze.

Oh, the man absolutely infuriated her! She rounded the corner toward the stairs and practically ran her mother down. “Oh, Mother, you frightened me.”

“Arabella, a lady does not rush about.” She glared at her apron. “And what in heaven’s name have you been up to now?”

“Two of my animals were injured. I had to sew them up.”

Her mother actually paled. “What is the matter with you?” She spoke in a low, furious voice. “Your husband will not want his wife sewing up animals. You are a countess, now, Arabella. You must put these childish activities behind you. What would Lord Clarendon say if he saw you now?”

“I would say ’tis time she put these childish activities behind her.” Nash strode down the corridor. “But now I suggest we all clean up and dress for dinner. We have an early start in the morning, so I asked Cook to move dinner up two hours earlier.”

Well, who would ever imagine her husband and Mother not only agreeing on something, but both of them glaring at her as if she were a disobedient child. All of the fight went out of her. Despite what she had told everyone, her body was still weak from her illness. “If you will excuse me, I will order my bath.”

Arabella turned to climb the stairs and stumbled as her knees weakened. Nash grabbed her around the waist and swung her into his arms. “We will see you at dinner, Lady Melrose.” He proceeded to carry her up the stairs. Instead of protesting, she laid her head on his chest. She tried to fight the comfort she felt, but it was no use. She snuggled into his arms as he reached her door and bent to open the latch.

Once inside, he carried her to the bed and laid her gently down. “Perhaps a tray in your room would be best tonight.” Her heart warmed at the look of concern on his face. He really was a nice man.

When he wasn’t being arrogant and self-righteous.

“I am sure after a bath I will feel much better.”

He studied her. “I think not. Call for Sophia and have her attend you, and I will join you after my bath. I will send word to your mother that we are dining here.”

Although she knew it was not a good idea to allow him to order her about like that, truth be known, she was too tired to argue. “Yes. Perhaps that would be best.”

He threw up his hands and raised his face to the ceiling. “Hallelujah. My wife agrees with me.” His harsh words were softened by the indulgent look he gave her. Something deep inside her twisted, but she quickly squashed it.

Nash bent and kissed her on the forehead. “I will ring for Sophia and join you shortly.”

Arabella was fast asleep when Sophia awoke her to help her into the bath. After a luxurious soak in lavender- and lemon-scented water, she climbed out of the tub and allowed Sophia to dry her off and dress her in another new nightgown, pale yellow with lace at the bodice and cuffs. Sophia left and Arabella slid into a matching wrapper just as Nash knocked and entered the room.

He wore a red and black striped banyan, his hair still damp from his bath. As he walked, the bottom of the dressing gown opened to reveal muscular calves covered with light brown hair. She had a hard time taking her eyes off his movements as his elegant feet drew him closer to her.

“Dinner will arrive momentarily.” He took her hand, kissing the skin with his warm lips. “You look lovely.”

“I should really have checked on the animals—”

Irritation flashed across his face as he held up his hand. “No. No animals, no surgery, no blood. Tonight, we will enjoy a quiet dinner, an early bed, and then off to Suffolk in the morning.”

She couldn’t help but wonder if early to bed meant a repeat of last night’s bed activities. Despite her fatigue, the thought of what they’d enjoyed the night before brought a flutter to her stomach. Before she had the opportunity to dwell on that, a scratch at the door announced the arrival of two footmen carrying dinner trays.

“Set them over there.” Nash pointed to the table in the middle of the r

oom with two chairs all ready for their use.

Once the men left, Nash held out her chair, and inhaling all the wonderful scents, she said, “Everything smells wonderful.”

The display of fish soup, lamb chops, braised mushrooms, green peas, two jellies, a pudding, and fresh fruit reminded her how very hungry she was. Nash poured them both glasses of wine, and they began their dinner.