Chapter Eight
Charlotte had to consciously refrain from humming as she sat next to William in his curricle the next day. Since they’d been afforded one more fair-weather day—granted, it was overcast, but beggars couldn’t be choosers in London—he’d asked to take her driving again.
She’d agreed yesterday when he’d escorted her to her door.
And after what they’d done together in his drawing room the day before, she was in an exceptionally happy mood.
That coupling had been quite eye-opening.
There had been a bit of pain, yes, but once that dissipated, there had only been pleasure and lovely tingles behind.
Yet that interaction between them had been more about the physical connection.
She’d surprised herself by how bossy she’d been…
or rather how strong-willed she’d acted.
When had she gained such confidence or at the very least a strong curiosity?
Perhaps it had been due to the earl’s influence, or perhaps she had given herself permission to finally become the woman she’d always been meant to be.
William cleared his throat. “You seem in better spirits this afternoon,” he said in a conversational voice as he manipulated the reins and guided the curricle through moderate traffic in the heart of Mayfair.
“I am.” She glanced at him, meeting his gaze from beyond the edge of her bonnet. “In fact, I think I’m slowly finding my place in this world.”
As he gave her a small grin, the corners of his eyes wrinkled ever so slightly. “That is always a good feeling.” Something in the street captured his attention, but he continued the conversation. “About what happened yesterday…”
Oh, dear. “Please don’t ruin it by giving me an apology.” Half-turning toward him, Charlotte laid a hand on his arm. “It was lovely. No wonder so many ladies wish for trysts with lovers.”
He snickered. “Did you tell your mother or sisters?”
“Good heavens, no. This is something I’ll keep to myself for a while.
” Then a new thought occurred to her. What if she fell pregnant from that one coupling?
Her father wanted her married by All Hallow’s Eve, but that was four months off.
Could she hide a pregnancy for that long?
And what would happen when she delivered a child so early if people didn’t know she was carrying one?
Of course, she could marry William earlier, but she didn’t want anything forced.
“No matter what else happens, I’m glad we came together. ”
“As am I.” While he manipulated the ribbons, she admired his skills and how agile his gloved fingers were in guiding his horses. “To be honest, I’m glad you came by. You have been the only person, besides my valet and at times Scarborough, to tell me the truth.”
“I suppose we’re not cowed by your arrogance or charm.” It was rather interesting sitting beside him, conversing as if they were a real couple instead of being forced together into an unknown future. “The duke strikes me as a true friend to you.”
“He is. Though he was recently married, he’s still a decent sort.”
That struck her as funny, and she laughed, which prompted as easy grin on his part that made him seem more approachable. “Marriage doesn’t mean a man will live a horrific life, William. It merely means he’s fallen in love or he’s made a business arrangement.” She shrugged. “There is good in both.”
“I shall take your word for it.” They drove in companionable silence for some time before he spoke again. “Since you are good with books and have an affinity for them, what would you say to cataloguing and organizing my library both here in London and in Kent?”
“What?” Shock warred with excitement as it twisted down her spine.
Again, she turned toward him, and when her leg knocked against his, a different sort of tingles went through her lower belly.
“I would be honored to catalogue your libraries! What a boon!” And besides, it would allow her to spend more time with him to get to know him during their engagement period.
“I’m glad you’ve agreed. Sadly, I’ve neglected the libraries over the past few years, shoving books indiscriminately here and there, ignoring the shelves they should be in.
” He glanced at her, met her gaze, and this time his grin was genuine.
Its power nearly knocked her off the bench.
“It’s especially frustrating when I’m searching for a particular volume and I can’t readily find it because of my laziness months ago. ”
The admission was rather adorable. Charlotte nodded. “I understand that all too well. Though my collection of books is not nearly as large as yours, I take a book with me everywhere I go, and sometimes, I can’t remember where I left each volume.”
“Who is your favorite author?”
“Oh, that is quite a wide question, for my interests are varied.” Most likely, she could chatter on endlessly about books and authors and subjects with him, and she hoped there would be an opportunity for that over the next few months.
“I especially like rainy days, because that means I can curl up with a cup of tea and a book. The only thing missing on those days is a loyal dog or a purring cat.”
“Or perhaps a randy man,” he said with a cheeky wink.
Heat jumped into her cheeks. “If that were so, I rather doubt there would be any reading done.” Although, the subject matter offered her the natural break she needed. “Uh, a couple of days ago, I leafed through the book you’d bought at the auction.”
“Oh?” There was guardedness in that one-word inquiry. Did that mean he would return to the anger of the day before?
“Yes. I needed something to distract me from what you and my father were discussing in his study.” When he said nothing, she plunged ahead, her words nearly tripping over each other.
“There was a particular passage there in the section about you where your former mistress talked about how she felt like flying when you pleasured between her thighs with your mouth,” she finished in a choked whisper.
“I see.” The earl shifted on the bench, and his fingers tightened on the reins. When the horses tossed their heads, he immediately relaxed his hold. “Uh, are you curious about that aspect of carnal play?”
Was she? Just thinking about it sent gooseflesh sailing over her skin. “I am,” she admitted with further heat in her cheeks. What would he think of her?
“Ah.” He said nothing further, merely kept his attention on the road and guiding the horses while she glanced at his profile.
The close-cropped beard called to her to touch, but she refrained.
With his top hat settled at a rakish angle over his left eye, he was every inch the rogue she’d heard about.
And how often had he pleasured women in such a way?
Then he cleared his throat. “Does that mean you wish to experience it? What you read about in that book?”
Did she? After what they’d done together yesterday, it was an absolute certainty she wanted more of the same, but this was too compelling to pass on. Besides, wasn’t he supposed to have some talent in that regard? “I believe I do.”
“Interesting.” When he turned his head to meet her gaze, wicked promise winked in his green eyes. “Does that curiosity extend to today?”
Dear heavens, this is all happening so fast!
One moment she was in her bedroom unwanted and undesired, while the next, she was sitting next to the man who was her fiancé—forced, of course—but still valid.
And he had agreed to do unspeakable things to her.
Finally, Charlotte nodded. “If you don’t mind and it won’t inconvenience your schedule.
” Without giving him time to respond, she continued.
“We’re engaged, and we’ve already landed in scandal, so where is the harm?
” And if she could glean further carnal education out of it, why not?
Slowly, he nodded, and his eyes darkened as he dropped his gaze briefly to her mouth. “Very well. Have you anything else in your diary for this afternoon, or am I free to escort you to my townhouse?”
A thrill twisted down her spine. “Of course I am free. Now that Papa manipulated this engagement, there is no more need for me to attend dreadfully dull dinners, though I’m sure they will ask you to join us soon.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. “That’ll be a cold day in hell,” he said beneath his breath. “I’d rather spend the time with you in my library. Such a large scope for misbehavior there, don’t you think?”
Another round of heat slapped her cheeks and spread to her chest. “Yes, I do!” How was it she had so much in common with him already? It was quite unexpected.
Eventually, they concluded the drive, and by the time the first raindrop fell, the earl had ushered her into his townhouse.
If the butler was surprised at her appearance for the second day in a row, his blank expression didn’t show it.
Instead, that unremarkable man took her bonnet, gloves, and spencer, then accepted William’s top hat and gloves as well.
“Will you require tea, Your Lordship?” the butler asked as he bounced his gaze between the two of them.
“That would be lovely, Layton. Thank you and have it brought to the drawing room.” Offering her his arm, crooked at the elbow, he nodded. “My fiancée and I have a few things discuss, since we only just met the other day.”
“Of course, Your Lordship.”
Charlotte nodded her thanks, and when she put her fingers into his inner arm, William led her up the stairs and then into the drawing room. Once alone, she said in a whisper, “I do not wish for tea.”
“Neither do I, but if we are to maintain a proper facade in front of the staff, tea will be delivered. Whether we drink it while it’s still hot remains to be seen,” he said with a wink.
“Clever.” She left his side to wander about the room, peeking into curio cabinets and inspecting various bric-a-brac that rested on tables and shelves.