Cocky Earl by Annabelle Anders

Author:Annabelle Anders
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

PESKY CHAPERONES

He liked her.

Very much.

The comprehension ought to have come to Jules earlier, but the lines between them, bringing them together, had become blurred. It went without saying that he would convince her to marry him, and he would take great satisfaction in honoring his word.

He’d intended to marry anyhow, and although he anticipated an uncomfortable conversation with his mother in the immediate future, he wasn’t all that concerned.

Because… Jules liked courting Charley. In fact, it seemed the most natural thing in the world now that he was getting to know her.

And sitting here now, holding her hand in his, life felt more vibrant somehow.

She stared back at him almost warily, and despite sitting in shadows, the golden flecks in her eyes still managed to sparkle.

“You did say you trusted me, didn’t you?” Perhaps she needed reminding.

His eyes dropped to her mouth as she licked her lips. What would she taste like tonight? Wine? Fruit?

Woman?

“Miss Jackson!” A stern-sounding female voice echoed around the glass, and Jules nearly laughed at Charley’s horrified expression.

“Shhh…” He touched his fingertip to her lips. Damp, soft, plump lips. The blood in his veins grew hotter as he imagined all the things he could do with those lips.

“Miss Jackson, if you are in here, I suggest you come outside before the other guests realize you’ve disappeared.”

Charley’s eyes darted left and right, and she looked about to take flight and expose them both if Jules didn’t do something to stop her. Feeling unusually mischievous, he rose and pulled her up with him.

“Hush,” he whispered as he led her silently around some of the thicker greenery.

“It’s doubtful she’s in here. More likely Miss Jackson simply returned to her chamber.” Stone’s voice sounded uncomfortably close. “Come now, Mrs. Crabtree. You shouldn’t worry yourself.”

“She’s my charge, Mr. Spencer. I take great pride in fulfilling my duties as chaperone. I would have seen her if she’d returned to the manor.”

Jules smiled to himself. Of course, Stone would know that Jules would bring her to this part of the manor. The chaise inside had come in handy for all of them on more than one occasion, what with the cushions and horizontal nature of such a piece of furniture.

He pulled Charley closer as he ducked them into a narrow opening between an ornamental wall and one of the taller shrubs. He didn’t mind that her hair tickled his chin, nor did he mind settling his hand at her waist.

In fact, he minded so little that an altogether different dilemma was coming up.

Would his physical reaction bother her? Would she even understand?

Quickly, he pictured pigs rolling in the mud. Curdled milk. A swim in a cold lake…

“Miss Jackson, I demand you reveal yourself at once!” Mrs. Crabtree’s voice sounding nearer ought to have resolved his issue, but the threat of exposure seemed to only heighten his excitement.

Charley inhaled sharply and then tilted her head back to stare at him with questioning eyes. He could lose himself in those eyes.

He pressed his forehead against hers, touching his fingertip to her lips again.

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