Lady Meets Earl by Christy Carlyle

Author:Christy Carlyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2022-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Years of etiquette lessons and learning the rules of ladylike propriety meant Lucy knew how she should react to Mr. Blackwood’s provocative statement. And beyond what she knew, her response was usually visceral when she did something wrong. Her skin would give her away first, turning from pink to strawberry red. Then her pulse would jump in her throat or blood would rush like crashing waves in her ears.

Today, she was thrilled to find old habits and silly rules could be overcome.

Upon her first glimpse of James, she’d struggled not to drop her gaze to his lips or go to him, touch him, greet him as she truly wished to.

But she couldn’t manufacture an ounce of the anger and concern she saw in his eyes. She felt no shame for what she’d done, what they’d done. And absolutely no regret. Only frustration that they’d been interrupted by the man who was apparently her aunt’s lover.

That man watched her now with a kindly expression. No judgment. Just a look of amusement, as if his words had been a tease rather than a condemnation.

“Since you were attempting to climb the walls of Invermere to get into my aunt’s bedchamber, Mr. Blackwood, I trust you understand and would not dare question me about anything so delicate.”

“I do understand, Lady Lucy. And by putting me in my place, I ken ye are well and truly Cassandra’s kinswoman.” The Scotsman bowed his head but couldn’t manage to look abashed. “What I also understand is that you’ve come to Scotland for a holiday and haven’t had much of one yet.”

“There’s still time.” Lucy glanced again at James. An outing was one of the things she wished to discuss with him this morning—the idea that they might fit in some sightseeing before Aunt Cassandra’s arrival.

“Have you explored the city?”

“No, but I’d like to. It’s on my list.”

“Edinburgh is a grand notion for a day trip.”

James started to speak, cast her an odd look, and then fell silent. But she wanted to hear from him much more than make small talk with Mr. Blackwood.

Lucy arched a brow, urging him to say something, and he stepped toward her but still seemed tongue-tied or reticent to speak in front of anyone else.

She turned her politest smile toward Angus Blackwood. “May I have a word with his lordship?”

“Of course, my lady.”

Blackwood was kind enough to draw the door almost closed behind him, leaving only a respectable hairbreadth gap.

“I was planning a quick trip into the city on business,” James told her when they were alone.

That caused the blush that she should have felt earlier. Because the prospect of a trip alone with him was precisely what she’d imagined from the moment she opened her eyes.

“Will you take me with you? If we’re not long, we should be back in time for Aunt Cassandra’s arrival, don’t you think?”

“Either that, or your aunt will return before we do and think I’ve fled with you.”

He reached for her hands, and she rested her palms against his.

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