Earl of Kent by Lauren Smith

Author:Lauren Smith [Smith, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-30T21:00:00+00:00

PHILLIP TOUCHED his lips with his fingertips. He could still taste her, still feel her. Ella had challenged him in more ways than one tonight. She reminded him of the man he had once been. A man of passion and purpose. A man unbroken. Did she still see that man within him? He scraped a hand over his jaw, thinking. He leaned on the chair as he contemplated his choices.

He could stay here and let her go on alone to Pembroke’s ball. If he did that, he’d fade into bleak despair forever.

Or…he could risk everything on one last chance of happiness by going with her.

He closed his eyes, relishing the kiss and the way she had looked up at him, as though he were a hero, a warrior come to save her—not that she needed saving. Though Ella was capable of taking care of herself, he wanted to charge in to her rescue anyway. She wanted him to seduce her, to compromise her—in secret, of course. Could he do that? Could he play the scoundrel?

It wasn’t as though he was truly taking advantage of her, was it? She knew what she was asking; she knew the risks and consequences.

Phillip licked his lips, tasting her sweetness again, and made up his mind. He summoned Boucher and apologized for the lateness of the hour.

“Have my coach made ready at dawn. Have Marcus pack my valises for a week and the cook prepare a large basket of food for Lady Ella, Marcus, and myself.”

“I assume you are going to Lord Pembroke’s estate?” his butler inquired.

“You assume correctly.” He waited to see if his butler would bring up the fact that he and Ella were traveling without a chaperone.

But all Boucher said was “Should I send Cora as Lady Ella’s maid?”

“Yes, yes, good thinking. Thank you, Boucher.”

“Of course, my lord. I’ll see it done.”

“Thank you.” Phillip bent to retrieve his cane from the floor and used it to walk over to the bed, but he found he only needed to use it a little.

His body was still wound up with excitement after kissing Ella. Kissing her the way he’d dreamed about for years. Perhaps it was that which powered him through. He set the cane against the side table by his bed, removed his trousers, and eased into his bed. He stared down at his leg, particularly at the spot where there were heavy scars on the shin, where the bone had broken through. His leg was not crooked, but it was weaker. He rubbed the muscles, gritting his teeth at the knot of pain, but he kept at it until he was too exhausted to keep going. He didn’t want to fail Ella, and for the first time in a long while, he didn’t want to fail himself either.

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