An Unexpected Countess Page 12

  Sarah refused to feel sorry for him. She simply refused.

  ‘When did his mother die?’ The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  ‘When he was about seven. Such a tragedy. To her, the moon and sun set just for him. One windy day she fell from a cliff on their estate and was killed on the rocks below. Poor boy was devastated. Didn’t speak for weeks. I don’t think he ever got over her death. I don’t think one ever completely does from the loss of a parent when one is so young.’

  ‘Or the loss of a child,’ Sarah’s mother muttered.

  ‘This is true,’ the Dowager agreed. A sense of melancholy hung in the air before she seemed to recall her story. ‘Lord Blackwood did nothing to help his son.’

  ‘Perhaps Lord Blackwood did not know how to help his son grieve? Or he was grieving himself,’ Sarah offered, knowing very well how difficult it could be to stand by helplessly and watch those around you suffer through their grief.

  The Dowager looked her directly in the eye. ‘Lord Blackwood couldn’t care one wit for his son’s grief or that he lost his wife.’

  Sarah rubbed the back of her neck, flattening out the hair that stood up with the Dowager’s comment. She scanned the ballroom for father and son, but saw neither.

  * * *

  During the carriage ride home, Sarah was so convinced Hartwick had found the diamond that she wanted to toss up her accounts. He’d had numerous opportunities to speak with her this evening and hadn’t taken one of them. Obviously he no longer needed her key. She would not allow him to toss their wager aside. If he found the diamond, he should have the decency to tell her. Then she could devise a plan to steal it from him.

  It was a mystery why he even wanted the diamond. From what she observed, he appeared to be a very wealthy man. Was the diamond another impressive item he wanted to collect? He owned a fine stable of racehorses, had affairs with beautiful women and now he would have a large yellow diamond that was probably worth a small fortune. But perhaps he had large debts she knew nothing about. He certainly had secrets. Didn’t everyone?

  When they entered the house, her mother rubbed her forehead and informed her that she was heading to bed. The discussion of death tonight had scratched at the grief that was still but newly healed. Her mother would need some time alone before she would return to herself again.

  There was little chance of Sarah falling asleep unless she found something to settle her mind. A good book might help. They kept the family’s collection of books in her father’s study. From the thin band of light streaming out from under the door, she knew he was still awake.

  She gave a soft knock and walked inside when his muffled voice bid her to enter. He was seated at his desk, where he was huddled over some official looking document. ‘How was the ball?’

  ‘It was lovely. They all are,’ she said with a shrug.

  He gave a low chuckle. ‘Now I know you are tired if you expect me to believe that.’

  That small tease made her smile—the first one since she realised Hartwick had left the ball without seeking her out. ‘Are you still working?’ she asked, approaching his desk.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose and looked like he was trying to stay awake. ‘I thought I’d finish making some notes before I retire for the night. And you? What brings you in here?’

  ‘I thought I’d get a book to read before I fall asleep.’

  ‘If you’d like to fall asleep, I can give you some of my paperwork. I find I need coffee to slog through the latest batch of correspondence from Washington.’

  She smiled at his jest before she couldn’t help glancing at the empty silver tray.

  ‘Your brother would often read when he found he could not sleep,’ her father remembered. ‘I often wondered how many times Alexander would find it necessary to reread the books he took with him on his voyages.’ He had a faraway look in his eyes and a sad smile. As if recalling where he was, he turned to Sarah. ‘I imagine the men traded books aboard the ships. Wouldn’t you think?’

  ‘I imagine so,’ she said, trying to offer a comforting smile. Alexander would often sit with her on her bed when they were children and read to her on stormy nights. It was as if he knew she had trouble sleeping when she had to lie there alone, listening to the cracking and booming of the sky.

  ‘Were you surprised he wanted to go to sea?’ she asked, running her finger along the polished surface of his desk.

  He shook his head. ‘He always loved the ocean. Even as a very young boy, I would take him to see the ships in the harbour.’

  ‘I remember when he went to sea for the first time. Mama cried so much. I expected her to beg him to stay.’

  ‘It would have been easier on her...on both of us really, if he had remained close to home, but his interest was elsewhere. What kind of father would I be if I prevented him from pursuing what he loved? And we know his time at sea was important. The people of Baltimore were saved that night by men like your brother—men who were willing to sacrifice their own lives for the safety of others.’

  She wanted to tell him the truth. But she couldn’t find the words. And anyway, his heart was weak and they had almost lost him when he was grieving over Alexander. Was he strong enough to withstand the truth?

  She moved beside him and kissed the top of his head. His soft hair tickled her nose. ‘You have always been—and continue to be—the finest of fathers. Do not ever forget that.’

  Grief was still there in his eyes and probably always would be to some extent. They said one never completely moved past the death of a child. Even if that child had been a man when he died.

  She would find a way to steal that diamond from Hartwick. Her father and mother would never learn of Alexander’s betrayal. It was her duty to make certain of that.

  Chapter Ten

  Hart stood in the back garden of the Forresters’ town house and eyed the trellis that led to Miss Forrester’s bedchamber. The windows of her room were still dark. What was taking her so long to return home?

  A light was on in the lower left corner of the house, illuminating the small terrace about twenty feet from where he stood in the shadows on the grass. Knowing most of these town houses were laid out in a near-identical fashion, he assumed it was Mr Forrester’s study. The man needed to hire himself another aide-de-camp if he was working this late into the night.

  There was no sense in continuing to wait where he was when he could just as well make himself comfortable in her room. He had climbed about six feet off the ground when the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind him. He froze. Closing his eyes in exasperation, he jumped to the ground. When he turned his eyebrows rose at the sight of Miss Forrester, dressed in her fine gown, with moonlight shining off the silver lady’s pocket pistol pointed at his chest.

  Would this woman ever do anything predictable?

  She tilted her head and recognition lit her eyes. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ she whispered harshly.

  ‘I would think no explanation was necessary. I was on my way to your bedchamber when you rudely interrupted me.’

  ‘Rudely interrupted you? You have no place in my bedchamber or in my garden for that matter.’

  ‘Oh, I disagree. You and I have matters to discuss away from prying eyes.’

  ‘Shall I call on my father to give us his opinion? He is just over there,’ she said, tipping her head towards the terrace while she continued to point the pistol at him.

  ‘You won’t call for him and risk me informing him about your habit of donning men’s attire and traipsing about London at night. In addition, I doubt you want to be forced to wed.’

  ‘Wed? To you? Don’t be absurd. My father knows I would never consent to marry an Englishman and he wouldn’t force me to marry you. He might, however, choose to use this gun on you himsel
f.’

  ‘About that gun—don’t you think it’s time you put it away, now that you know it’s only me attempting to scale the battlements of your castle?’

  She chewed on her lip as if she truly couldn’t decide if she wanted to shoot him or not. Finally, she lowered the gun and stepped closer, pulling him further into the shadows along the building. ‘You said we would speak during the Skeffingtons’ ball about the diamond. Instead you ignored me and danced with Lady Helmford. What makes you think I want to talk with you now?’

  It was difficult not to smirk. ‘You noticed I was dancing with Lady Helmford.’

  ‘Do not flatter yourself. There is no reason for me to be jealous of Lady Helmford.’

  ‘She was in my arms.’

  ‘Being in your arms is the furthest thing from my mind.’

  ‘You’re staring at my lips.’

  ‘I’m trying to read them in the dark.’

  ‘The sound of my voice is not sufficient for you to know what I’m saying?’

  ‘Oh, do hush before I decide to pull that pistol out of my pocket.’

  ‘Why do you carry a pistol and wherever did you acquire one?’

  ‘My father gave it to me prior to boarding the ship that brought us here. He was concerned for my safety. And I carry it with me because I am trying to locate a rather large diamond. One never knows who one will encounter while doing so.’

  ‘Have you managed to locate it?’

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. ‘No, I assumed you had found it when you didn’t approach me tonight.’

  That was a relief. ‘My enquiries have brought no new information to light.’

  It was difficult to determine if she believed him, which was odd. Miss Forrester was usually very easy to read, but there was something about her demeanour. A sense of dread crept along his skin. ‘What did Lord Blackwood say to you tonight?’

  ‘I don’t see how that is any of your concern. I did not ask what you and Lady Helmford discussed.’ She held up her hand as if to stop him. ‘And before you tell me, I really don’t want to know.’

  ‘I know the true measure of the man. That is why I am enquiring.’

  There was a distinct pause. She was considering what she would say to him, which was nothing like the impetuous Miss Forrester he knew. ‘We spoke of nothing, as one does during a dance.’

  ‘He is a man who enjoys manipulating those around him. Do not allow his easy manner to fool you. He is dangerous and ruthless in getting what he wants.’

  If he had warned Caroline about his father, things might have turned out differently for both of them. He would not make that same mistake with Miss Forrester. With her, he would do everything he could to protect her. He needed her and her key to get the diamond.

  ‘This may sound melodramatic to you,’ he said, ‘but I strongly urge you to stay away from him. He has no morals and is not the type of man an unmarried woman should have any association with.’

  She crossed her arms. ‘Some might say the same about you.’

  ‘They might, but it wouldn’t be entirely true.’

  ‘You are trying to tell me you have morals?’

  ‘It might surprise you to find out I do have some. If I didn’t, it would be very easy for me push you against this wall and kiss those pouty lips of yours.’

  The sash of the window of her father’s study closest to them lifted and she went to put her hand over his lips.

  ‘If you put your hand over my mouth to hush me, I will lick you,’ he whispered.

  Her hand froze mere inches from his lips.

  ‘I can very easily speak in hushed tones, Miss Forrester. You, on the other hand, have a tendency to become rather lively at times. I will make this brief. I propose we continue with our wager until one of us finds the diamond. Do you agree?’

  ‘I agree. Should you locate the diamond, pass a note to Katrina for me and I will pass her a note for you should I find it first. I think she is our best option for communicating with one another.’

  She was right. It would be too risky for Miss Forrester to use one of her own servants. And he regularly visited Lyonsdale House so his presence would not be remarked upon. Katrina was discreet and knew what mischief her friend was up to.

  ‘Does Julian know about your clandestine activities?’

  The chestnut-coloured tendrils at her neck swished from side to side, skimming her skin as she shook her head. ‘I have asked her not to tell him.’

  ‘But yet she is aware of my interest in the diamond.’

  ‘No, I have not told her yet. However, I assure you, she can keep a secret.’

  No one should know he was looking for the Sancy. Hell, he hadn’t even told Andrew and he had helped him steal the bracelet! He rubbed his eyes.

  ‘She will not breathe a word of this. I can assure you of that.’

  ‘I hope you are right.’

  He should leave. There was nothing left to discuss. And yet he couldn’t walk away. She was stirring something inside him—something more than wanting to take her right there in the darkened garden against the wall of her house—although that thought had merit. He refused to mull over what it was. Instead he decided to kiss her.

  As he took a step closer, she took one back. ‘I should go inside. I’m ruining my slippers by standing in the grass with you.’

  ‘I’m certain you have other pairs.’ He took another step.

  Their bodies were almost touching. If she decided to retreat it would place them in plain view of her father’s occupied study. She held her ground and reflexively licked those irresistible lips.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I need to kiss you.’

  ‘You’ve never needed to kiss me before.’

  ‘This is the first time I’ve mentioned it.’ He skimmed the tips of his fingers across hers, needing to touch her in even the smallest way.

  There was a catch in her breath.

  When he lowered his head, she didn’t move away. Her faint lilac scent drifted towards him as he leaned forward and kissed her. It was a slow and savouring kiss that made the rest of the world fade away.

  He had imagined what it would feel like to kiss her. But now that he knew the taste of her lips, the way the soft, plump skin felt between his teeth as he nipped at them, Hart realised kissing Miss Sarah Forrester was not something he would easily forget.

  He tugged her closer to deepen the kiss. Her breasts pillowed against his chest and he knew if he was thrusting inside her this is how they would feel. He was getting hard.

  With her prickly nature he thought she might step on his foot, but instead she trailed her fingers up his back and cupped his neck as if she didn’t want him to stop.

  Miss Forrester was kissing him back—the same Miss Forrester who loved to remind him that she did not find him the least bit attractive or charming. And while he always liked kissing women, she elevated the experience to an entirely different level of enjoyment.

  He skimmed his fingers up the faint ripples of her ribcage and palmed her right breast. Urgently he trailed kisses along her jaw and down her neck to the upper swell of her breast. Dragging his tongue along the neckline of her gown, he savoured the slight saltiness of her skin. Her breathing was erratic and her fingers gripped the back of his hair.

  He tried to lower the neckline but it wouldn’t budge. He wanted to tear the silk apart and suck hard on that nipple that he knew must be straining against her stays needing his touch. Frustrated, he kissed back up her neck and finally to those full, parted lips—lips that he was envisioning doing wicked things to his body. He was claiming her with his kisses, because he couldn’t do it any other way.

  A soft moan escaped her lips. He was not the only one who was desperate to know what it would feel like to thrust himself inside her over and over.
She wanted him. She might deny it, but he knew the truth. That was why he had kissed her. That was what he had needed to know.

  He smiled against her lips.

  She stepped on his foot.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sarah had often wondered what Hartwick’s kisses would feel like. Now that she knew, she wished she had remained ignorant. He kissed like a man who knew her body even better than she did.

  She wasn’t prepared for the way he made her feel. He kissed much better than the two other men who she had allowed the privilege of kissing her. Each time his tongue glided across her own, it sent shivers up and down her spine. Her breasts felt fuller and tighter as if they were straining to remain in her stays. And, as if by some kind of magic, his hands brought a tingling feeling between her legs even though they had not been below her waist.

  He made her feel incredibly desirable. She wanted it to go on all night.

  Until the bounder had the nerve to smile while he kissed her.

  That smile brought her back to reality. He had done all of this to prove that she wanted him, just like all the other women in London—and she had. Stepping on his foot gave her a bit of satisfaction and helped return her sense of dignity.

  When he pulled his head back, that small smile was still on those skilful lips. ‘I thought you might do that.’

  ‘Kiss you? Let’s clarify, you kissed me.’

  ‘I was referring to stepping on my foot. And to clarify—you kissed me back.’

  Lord Hartwick really was the most arrogant man she had ever met. ‘Stop being so uppity.’

  A small, low laugh was his response. ‘You must admit, that was one fine kiss...or kisses, if you want to be exact. I’ll be reliving the experience for quite some time.’

  ‘Doesn’t it become tedious repeating the same statements over and over to the women you know?’