The Red Hot Earl by Burke Darcy

Author:Burke, Darcy
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-944576-65-3
Publisher: Darcy Burke Publishing
Published: 2019-09-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Ash managed to ensure the conversation at dinner had veered quite clear of the St. Stephen’s Day party. Instead, they focused on stories of their youth. He credited Bianca with supporting his intent to avoid discussing the party—specifically asking people to help. She understood him like no one ever had.

It was, in a word, enthralling.

The snow had continued into the evening, finally tapering off while they’d dined. Now it was nearly midnight, and the house was dark and quiet. He crept downstairs with the plan of stealing outside to see if the snow had started again or if the sky had cleared.

Carrying a lantern, he walked through the hall toward the back of the house to the terrace. A flash of blue from the library drew him to a stop. A candelabrum on a table inside illuminated Bianca. She stood near the flickering light, her head bent as she cradled a book in her hand.

Ash simply stood there and watched her a moment. Her dark hair hung in a loose plait over her shoulder, the end curling against the swell of her breast. Outlined beneath the Egyptian blue of her dressing gown, her body beckoned him—the elegant slope of her shoulder, the gentle indentation of her waist, the alluring curve of her hip. Good God, when had he become so drawn to her?

Her gaze lifted from the book and turned toward him, perhaps sensing his presence. Smiling, she snapped the book closed. “Ash.”

He walked into the library as if he were pulled by a magnet. “I wasn’t expecting to find you here.”

“What were you expecting to find?”

“Nothing, really. I was on my way outside to see if the snow had started again or if it was truly finished.”

She quickly set the book on a table and moved to stand before him, her gaze eager. “I’ll come with you.”

He offered her his arm, and as her warm hand curled around him, he was painfully aware that they were both barely dressed—she in a dressing gown and he in a banyan over his shirt and a pair of breeches. This was wholly improper, and he didn’t give a damn.

This was Bee. They’d known each other forever, it seemed. Friends since childhood. Yet, this was something more. He wondered if she felt it too.

He guided her out to the terrace where the snow was maybe three inches deep. They barely stepped outside, staying clear of the snow.

She looked up into the ink-dark sky. “It is snowing.”

Surveying the white terrace, she lifted the hem of her gown and waded into the snow. “Ooh, it’s cold and wet.” She lifted a careless shoulder before tipping her head back.

Light, soft flakes landed on her upturned face. He held up the lantern to see the graceful planes of her cheekbones, the bright, dazzling sparkle of her blue eyes. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. He moved toward her and wiped a snowflake from her cheek.

She brought her head down to look at him, her lips parted in joy.

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