Page 67 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

She glanced down her list of what was in the pantry and decided that the only thing she need order were peas.

The wine order, which was in Damian’s purview, had arrived the day before and had been safely put away in the cellars. Fresh-cut flowers for the hall had been delivered this morning and she had arranged them in vases herself. Everything else she required was on hand.

‘Good morning, my dear.’ Damian’s deep voice sent a zing of pleasure deep to her core. It always did.

She turned from her papers to see him standing in the doorway, hat in hand, his hair damp and slicked back, cheeks slightly reddened by the weather and his dark gaze warming when she returned his smile.

She had been expecting him and had dressed accordingly. She had purchased several new fashionable gowns now that she no longer wore her servant’s garb and cook’s apron.

‘Good morning,’ she replied, unable to contain her broad smile of welcome. ‘All is well?’

‘It is. Apart from the weather.’ He set his hat and gloves on his desk. ‘I really must get out of these wet things, it is raining cats and dogs out there.’

She realised that while his redingote must have kept his shoulders dry, his pantaloons were soaked to the knees. She began unbuttoning his coat, to help him get if off.

‘Speaking of dogs,’ she said, ‘where is yours?’

‘I left Oddy in town. He and the boot boy have made friends, thank heavens, and since I will only be away for two nights, he will be perfectly all right.’

‘Only two nights.’ She could not keep the disappointment out of her voice, no matter how hard she tried.

‘Tomorrow will be our last party here.’

She gasped and stepped back. That she had not expected. ‘The last?’

‘Before Christmas, at least. Many people will be leaving London for their country estates or be busy with other holiday events. Even this week I received a number of declines to our invitation due to other social events.’ He shrugged out of his coat and flung it over a chair. ‘Besides, I have decided to throw a grand ball at Rake House.’

Rake House was his London town house in Grosvenor Square. That was where he lived when he wasn’t here at the estate. He had told her that it was undergoing renovations and unfit for entertaining.

‘I see.’ Her heart felt heavy. She looked forward to the parties, particularly since it meant he would spend a few days with her. ‘When will the parties here resume?’ And what on earth was she to do with herself until they did?

‘I am not sure they will.’

Her stomach dropped away. What on earth could he mean? The earth seemed to drop beneath her feet. She grabbed his arm. ‘Why? What is wrong?’

He pulled her close, briefly kissed her cheek, smiling cheerfully, seemingly unaware of her surge of anxiety. ‘We can discuss all this tomorrow night when Pip is here. Naturally I will need your assistance at the ball. Let me go and get out of these wet things.’ He hurried off.

Her chest tightened. It was almost as if he was feeling guilty. And what did he mean about her assisting with the ball?

And how typical of a man to make a dramatic announcement of what sounded like the end of their partnership and then disappear without explaining.

It really would not do.

Her mind in a whirl, she delivered her order for peas to the new cook, who would drop it off with the greengrocer on her way home, and went upstairs in search of Damian.

She entered his chamber without knocking, slamming the door behind her.

He was naked and rubbing at his hair with a towel.

He looked magnificent, broad shoulders, long limbs, dark hair everywhere.

He lowered the towel and gazed at her. His male member hardened and lengthened and rose to stand erect against his belly.

Her body stirred the way it always did when she saw him in all his glory and ready for her.

‘Oh, you are pleased to see me,’ she murmured, her anger dissipating, her breath quickening.

He laughed and in two strides was across the room and holding her in his arms. ‘What a naughty wench you are.’