Ace of Hearts by Barbara Metzger

Author:Barbara Metzger [Metzger, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-61187-118-0
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing
Published: 2011-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Nell would not have thought so highly of Alex if she could read his mind.

What mind? The way she bit her lip in confusion, the way she leaned toward him to listen, how she took his hand, saying she knew he would do his best—Lud, any thoughts of looking for Lottie flew out of his head. What was left was a whirlpool of wanting. Here he was, alone at night with a woman who actually listened to his concerns, who understood family honor and duty, who did not just see a bejeweled title hanging over his head, who had a tempting little body, besides.

This was not the usual itch that his former mistress Mona and her ilk could scratch. That was a simple urge, like needing to blow his nose. He did, it was a relief, it was over. This was more like needing to breathe, he feared, which never went away.

Worse than being aroused—although not much was worse than being aroused, knowing one could not do anything pleasant about it—was the fear that the desire went deeper. He wanted to pleasure Nell, yes, and please her, but he wanted to protect her, too. He wished he could dress her in lace and cover her with jewels, but he also wished he could keep her from disappointment and discouragement and the everyday bothers of everyone’s lives. Alex wanted to make her gasp and sigh and moan, but he wanted to see her laugh and smile and simply relax in contentment, with him beside her. Because he was beside her.

He wanted Nell.

He was sunk.

He cleaned his spectacles on a handkerchief while she took a turn staring at the fire. What could Alex say? What could Nell say? Nothing, without destroying the friendship they had between them.

They were both relieved when Stives returned.

The valet opened the door, took one look at the couple sitting across from each other in the matching chairs in front of the hearth, and shook his head. For once he held his tongue. He also held the door for Miss Sloane, after making sure the hallway was clear. No London doyenne of society’s dictates could make the point more strongly.

Alex stood. “Stives is right. It is time for you to go.” He took Nell’s hand in his and started to raise it to his lips but Stives cleared his throat. Alex squeezed Nell’s delicate hand instead, after glaring at his trusted servant. Stivy could be trusted to stick his nose where it did not belong, anyway.

Before she had to leave, Nell warned both the earl and his man that Lady Lucinda intended to pay Alex a visit in the morning.

“Her maid says that milady never rises afore noon,” Stives reported. “So we’re safe till then.”

“Plenty of time to pack the carriage and head out for Scotland, eh?”

Stives groaned but Nell knew Alex was joking because he winked at her.

The valet scratched his head. “You are not thinking of Gretna Green are you? I thought you were headed away from parson’s mousetrap, not rushing to find a blacksmith to do the job.

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