Page 48 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

Now he wanted to make sure she would not forget an event she’d been reminded of extensively. “I am unlikely to forget, since you’ve repeated the message several times, Sophia has already laid out my gown, and Andrews took it upon himself to order me a bath. Honestly, it is as though no one thinks I have a brain in my head.”

“I am trying to secure our place in Society. It is important to me, as it should be to you, as well.”

“Why? No one cares if I attend or not. Lady Grace will be looking for any opportunity to malign me, your old friend, Lady Walthrop will be just breathless with anticipation at your arrival, and I will undoubtedly do something to call attention to myself.”

“If you behave yourself as a countess should, you will not call attention to yourself.”

Oh, his arrogance was unequaled. With a curt nod, she swept past him then stopped at the doorway to the room where her recovering animals were. “Please instruct Cook to send a tray to my room. I will be too busy preparing for the ball to dine with you.”

By the time she closed the door, she was breathing heavily and mad enough to scream. But then, a countess never screamed. Or called attention to herself. Or handled animals.

It seemed ever since the Kendall ball, Nash had found one thing or another to criticize her for that had left her wanting. The closeness she’d felt after he defended her had been slowly chiseled away over time. Perhaps he felt Lady Grace’s criticism of her was justified, after all.

She took a deep breath to calm herself and focused on her furry friends. “Good evening, everyone.” Her spirits rose as she checked each animal under her care and fussed with the bandage on the small pug she’d found a few days before. The poor thing had a large splinter in its paw that she’d carefully removed before applying a salve and bandage.

She moved to the next box and sucked in a deep breath. The poor little bird she’d rescued from a cat’s mouth had died. She hated when her efforts did not work. There would be no time for a quick burial, since she had to prepare for the ball. Truthfully, she’d rather bury the bird.

With a sigh, she left the room. Duty called.

“My lady, you look stunning!” Sophia stood back and admired the work she’d done on Arabella. Her gown of crimson red silk with a white net embroidered overlay, cap sleeves off the shoulders, and a low-cut bodice, highlighted the alabaster white of her creamy skin and the slight flush to her cheeks.

Her long white satin gloves left only a few inches of skin on her arm exposed. Sophia had brushed her hair into a fine gloss and pulled the curls up to the crown of her head to cascade down her back. A curl had been left on each side to dangle by her ears.

Arabella viewed herself in the mirror and was pleased. Her ensemble gave her the confidence she needed to face Society once again. “Sophia please fetch the ruby necklace and matching pieces. They will go well with this gown.”

A tap on the door between their bedchambers drew her eyes to where Nash appeared. His eyes raked her seductively, the look tightening her nipples and sending a message to her lower parts. Slowly she raised her chin, thrilled at the effect she’d had on him. “I am almost ready.”

In a few lengthy strides, he was across the room and standing in front of her, his hand out to Sophia. “I’ll finish up, Sophia. You may leave now.” His eyes never left hers, and the depth of his voice sent chills washing over her. To the point where she shivered.

Sophia deposited the jewelry into his outstretched hand and scurried away, a smirk on her face.

Apparently aware of tension between then, Nash gave Arabella a slow grin and did a quick circular movement with his finger, indicating she should turn. She had full view of them both in the mirror. Nash’s swarthy skin above his starched cravat, the blond curls teasing his forehead, and his darkened blue eyes, staring at her intently.

He set the pieces on the dressing table and placed his hands on her shoulders. Brushing aside her curls, his head descended, the warm moistness of his breath teasing the hair at her nape. She closed her eyes as his lips touched her skin. She jolted at the contact and let out a soft moan.

Her head fell to one side as he kissed, nipped, and licked the delicate skin. A slow, dull ache began between her legs, and her knees felt about to give in. Sensing her need, he wrapped one strong arm around her waist to hold her up, pressing her against his hard body. With his other hand, he turned her head, and his mouth covered hers hungrily.

His mouth slid to her jaw, her neck, the sensitive skin behind her ear. “What do you say we skip this ball and find other, more pleasing ways to occupy our time?”

For once, Arabella did want to attend a ball. She felt confident and loved the way she looked. Tonight, she would show the ton that she truly was a countess.

Nash tucked his hand into her bodice and fingered her nipple. Oh, the man was convincing. She purred as he kissed her neck again and did wonderful things with his naughty finger. Just as she was ready to rid herself of her lovely gown, Nash pulled back and sighed. “I am sorry, sweetheart, but this is one ball we do need to attend.”

She stared up at him, still lost in the feelings he’d evoked. “Why?”

He reached for the necklace on the dressing table. “Two of the lords I need to help push through my bill in Parliament will be there. It is almost impossible to get these men together, and this might be my only chance.”

Her head spinning, she nodded and allowed him to fasten the necklace. She took the rest of the pieces from him and quickly added them to her arm, finger, and ears. By the time she finished, she’d almost recovered from his passionate assault. Taking a deep breath to release any remnants from their love play, she smiled and accepted his arm.

…

It had taken all of Nash’s control to pull back from Arabella and to think of his duty. If his bill, which was important to the members of the army, was not passed this session, the soldiers would face another year of ill-equipped quarters and insufficient pay. Lords Dressen and Tamlin were close to agreeing and only needed one more push. Especially, if they knew that both of them supported the bill.

However, one glance at Arabella and he had wanted nothing more than to strip that beautiful gown off her and spend hours in bed, kissing every inch of her nude body. At times, it was difficult to remember one’s duty and carry through. He comforted his raging erection with the thought that once they returned home, he would see to another sort of duty to his title.

He could not stop staring at her on the way to the Kensington ball. The soft light from the lantern on the inside of the carriage highlighted the golden streaks in her hair. Her lips were still plump from his kiss, and her perfectly arranged hair had been mussed a bit. When had she grown so seductive? He’d desired her almost from the first, but this was something different.

Was it the gown, or had she changed? Or perhaps she hadn’t changed at all, but he’d never noticed her strong sexual appeal. He shifted in his seat, slightly annoyed that other men would have the opportunity to ogle her.