The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl (21 page)

“Hey, Mike, that dog looks a lot like Baron, don’t you think?”

Mike’s jaw tightened as he took in the sight of the footman yanking on the dog’s lead. Jamie winced in sympathy herself.

“That is the Duke of Granville’s footman. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the same chap that dumped Baron and his siblings in the river.”

“What?” She turned to Mike, horror freezing her blood.

Mike nodded, turning the carriage down a side path to avoid the man with the dog. “I saw it happen. It was over a year ago, in January. I found out later that the man was not supposed to breed that particular pair, as another stud was to be used, and was trying to cover his mistake by disposing of the pups. He pitched a wicker basket into the icy waters of the Thames. I tried to stop him, but he was too far away to hear my shouts. I ran to the river as he walked away. I plunged into the icy water myself and grabbed the basket. Three of the pups inside had already drowned. I put the two remaining in my waistcoat and rode as fast as I could for my townhouse. The female pup expired before I could get them home. Baron was very weak, but he survived the ordeal. Mrs. Knightsbridge was an invaluable help, devising a way to help the pup nurse. Between the two of us, we saved him.”

“Oh my God,” Jamie said, a palm covering her gaping mouth. “That is so awful.”

Mike nodded. “That was only weeks after Louisa’s death. In many ways, I think Baron helped me to heal. He is a very special hound.”

Blast and damn propriety. Mike was hurting, and she needed to comfort him. She reached over and squeezed his hand softly. “He is, and he’s incredibly lucky to have you. It’s easy to see that he’s crazy about you.”

Mike smiled at her. “The feeling is returned.” He laughed as he pulled the reins back, stopping the horses. “Do you think it is foolish to love a man who cares so deeply for an animal?”

Jamie shook her head. “Not at all.”

A shrill female voice cut between them like a two-handed sword.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Ah, for chrissakes,” Jamie muttered, looking over her shoulder. Collette was riding up behind them, her burgundy riding habit looking like spilled wine against her horse’s white flanks. “Here we go again.”

“Miss Dubois,” Mike called in a stern, deep voice. “We are having a private conversation. Please take yourself elsewhere.”

“I will do nothing of the sort.” She brought her horse up to her side of the carriage, eyes snapping at Jamie. “You were to leave Dunnington alone. Why are you still here?”

“Maybe because I couldn’t give a crap about your opinion?” Jamie said, opening her eyes wide and smiling with tight lips.

Collette gasped.

Jamie rolled her eyes.
Seriously?
Is
she
really
expecting
me
to
hop
down
and
trot
away
when
the
bitch
snaps
her
fingers?

“Micah, you will not let her speak to me in this coarse manner. Silence her immediately.”

Mike shook his head. “I will not. You are not wanted here, so Miss Marten can express her displeasure in whatever manner she sees fit.”

Jamie turned back to Mike and smiled at him. “Thanks.”

He nodded.

“This is an outrage, Micah. I cannot allow this to go on. I will inform Mr. Waites about your disgusting paramour living in your home. He’ll make sure that all of society knows before the week is out. You will no longer be invited to anything. Almack’s will shun you for good. The prince himself will censure you. It will be a scandal that even your lofty position will not save you from, not so tidily shoved under the rug as your last
contretemps
was.” She lowered her voice, fluttering dark lashes at him. “It can all be quite simply avoided, dearest one. I have no wish to harm you; I only wish to free you from this damaging association. Now, are you sure you wish to throw me over for this harlot?”

Jamie hadn’t seen Mike really lose his temper since that night he’d saved her from Beard and Sideburns. He made up for that when he roared at Collette.

“If you insult my intended bride once more, I shall not be responsible for my actions. Mind your tongue, for what is mine, I keep.” His knuckles turned white where he gripped the reins. The force of his yell must have startled the horses, for they stomped nervously, rocking the phaeton wheels back and forth.

Collette stared at Jamie, disgust plain in her wrinkled nose and gaping mouth.

“Intended…bride?”

A few days ago, George had struggled with a load of coals down the hallway. Jamie had jumped up from her seat on the piano bench to help him, but they’d spilled all over the rug before she could get there. He’d propped his hands on his hips, scowled at the mess, and said, “Well, that’s torn it.”

The expression seemed particularly apt there too. Collette’s face was the perfect picture of shocked dismay. “You cannot…Micah, it is not…You must…”

“Good day, Miss Dubois.” Mike flicked the reins and the horses obediently started walking.

Jamie glanced over her shoulder. Collette still sat there atop her white mount, mouth working.

“I’m guessing you didn’t mean to do that,” Jamie said to Mike when they’d put some distance between them and his former lover.

“No, I did not,” he sighed. “It was not well done of me. Well, now or later, we shall weather the storm of gossip.”

A heavy weight settled in her chest. “I don’t want to cause you problems, you know.”

He nodded, clucking to the horses to speed them up on the road. “I know.”

Jamie rubbed her gloved fingers together in consternation. She couldn’t stand the thought of Mike being hurt by society the way he had when Louisa had died. “If it would be better for you, I could go. Back, I mean.”

Mike’s sharp command to the horses stopped them in the center of the street. A hoarse shout behind them cursed them for stopping.

“That is not acceptable,” Mike said, his voice as high and mighty as she’d ever heard it. “You will not leave me.”

His possessive attitude was flattering, but the autocratic manner was not. She reached out and laid her hand atop his where it clenched the reins.

“Hey. Listen. I’m not going to make any decisions like that without your input. But remember the partnership part of our agreement? That means both of us get equal say, okay? The whole lord-of-the-manor bit isn’t going to fly with me. Got it?”

He opened his mouth to argue, but she arched a brow at him, refusing to back down. With an angry sigh and flick of the reins, he agreed. “Very well. But you must promise to speak with me before doing anything so rash.”

“I can agree to that.”

The phaeton rolled to a stop in front of Mike’s house, and a footman assisted Jamie as she descended. With a polite bow, Mike said he’d see her at dinner and disappeared into his office.

Muriel followed Jamie up the stairs to help her change. You’d think without sewing machines, people wouldn’t want to change clothes so many times in a day, but apparently not. Jamie had kind of gotten used to the frequent costume changes. They did make her feel kind of pretty and girly, after all. Tonight, Muriel put her in a scarlet-red gown, daring and lovely. She couldn’t wait to see what Mike thought of it.

Jamie was heading toward the stairs when Thornton’s voice floated up from the foyer. “My lord, a missive has arrived from Sir Frederick Lyons.”

Jamie hustled down the stairs. Mike stood by the front door, his jaw tightening as he read the letter.

“What does it say?” Jamie crossed her arms over her middle nervously. Without a word, Mike handed her the letter.

Lord Dunnington,

I have received a report from Mr. Waites of a quite serious and alarming nature. It is rumored that you are not only harboring an unwed woman of no reputation in your very home, but that you have offered marriage to this same person. As you have been squiring my Felicity about, we have been led to believe that you intended to propose marriage.

Do know, sir, that if these tales prove true, I will have no recourse but to swiftly inform my many acquaintances how you have used my family so abominably. I pray, for your sake, that these rumors are false.

Sir Frederick Lyons

The letter fluttered from her fingers as she stared at Mike in bewilderment. As a footman retrieved the paper, Mike offered a stunned Jamie his arm and escorted her into the sitting room.

“Have a seat, dearling.” Mike crossed over to the sideboard and poured himself a drink. When he offered Jamie one, she shook her head vehemently. She’d had enough alcohol to last her a while, thanks.

“What are we going to do?” she asked Mike when he sat down beside her.

He took a sip of his drink before replying, “If Mr. Waites is spreading Collette’s venom for her, then the tale will have reached throughout the
ton
by noon tomorrow. There is naught we can do to stop it.”

“Great. Absolutely wonderful.”
On
second
thought…
She took a tiny sip of Mike’s drink.
Ugh. Brandy
. She coughed, her eyes watering.

“Are you all right?” Mike took the glass that she shoved back at him.

She nodded, hand gripping her throat. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she wheezed.

Mike rolled his eyes and thwacked her on the back.

“Sorry,” she said when she had her breath back. “I’m better now.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “What will this mean for you? I mean, I know it’s bad, right? Exactly how bad could it get?”

The dark, stony look on his face was all the answer she needed, but he went on anyway. “It will not be pleasant. I worry not so much for myself but for you. The stares and whispers are not unfamiliar to me, after Louisa’s strange death, but you should not be exposed to their waspish ways.”

“How can we stop them? I don’t want to deal with them any more than you do, but I don’t see how—”

“I must hide you,” Mike said. He tossed back the rest of his brandy and set the glass back on the side table. “I will send you to my country home. You will be safe there, and I can weather the storm of gossip here alone. Once the worst has passed, I shall meet you there, and we can wed. When that has happened, the wagging tongues will soon find other targets.” He came back to the couch, grasping both her hands as he sat beside her. “I will not let anyone harm you again, Jamie.”

The knot in her throat nearly cut off her air. “I appreciate that, I really do, but remember what you agreed to? How can I ever figure out if I fit in here if you have to hide me from everybody you know?” He was gorgeous, he was proud, and he would be hers if they could figure this shit out.

“It is only temporary, dearling. Once this scandal blows over, they will come to love you as I do.”

He leaned forward, taking her lips in a gentle kiss. His mouth tasted of brandy, much sweeter than it had been in the glass. The kiss went to her head in an instant, and she was lost. He pulled her close, pressing his chest against her breasts. She clutched at his shoulders as his tongue plundered her.

Too soon, he lifted his head.

“We will plan for your departure on the morrow. Until then, we must not miss dinner a second time in a row or Jean Philippe will leave us. Permit me to escort you, Miss Marten.”

She was glad to have Mike’s arm to hold on to as he led her into the dining room. He steadied her, but even his touch couldn’t completely calm her fears.

***

After a delicious dinner, they went into the music room. Mike sat beside Jamie on the piano bench.

“Play for me,” he said, smiling as he kissed the tips of her fingers.

“What do you want to hear?” Her voice shook a little. She had only had a little wine with dinner, but the feel of his nearness was way more intoxicating than alcohol could ever hope to be.

“Something you have written. I want to hear your talent.”

She scratched her nails against the ivory keys nervously. “Okay.”

What to play? She’d been writing music since she was a tiny girl. It took her hours to get through piano practice because she’d never play what the teacher had assigned; she always wanted to make up her own stuff. There were more compositions floating through her head than she could remember.

When she thought of the perfect song, she smiled.

“This one is for Mike.”

The song started with soft, tinkly high notes that she had to lean across him to play. She took advantage of the contact, letting her breast brush against his arm. As she came down the scale, the minor key twisting a poignant knife in her heart, she let her eyes slide closed and pictured Mike as the music poured from deep within her.

The first time she’d seen him, with that haughty look on his face. The way he smiled at the phone while playing that game. The breadth of his strong shoulders framed by his perfectly tailored clothes. The way he laughed at Baron’s antics. The tenderness in his eyes when he’d entered her body. The crescendo ripped through her fingers like ocean waves crashing. This was her man. This was her earl. And she had to be with him, no matter what sort of problems they’d face along the way.

The song ended with a repeat of the high notes. Mike closed the tiny gap between their bodies, pressing kisses to her neck as she struck the last keys.

“That was beautiful,” he whispered against her skin. He lifted the curls from her ear, nibbling on the soft shell. Tremors rippled through her at the contact.

He turned her body so he was sitting behind her, straddling the piano bench. His hands came around to cup her breasts as he kissed his way down her neck, to the shoulder that was left bare by the wide-necked dress.

Her nipples tightened to a near-aching state as he fondled them, rolling the tight buds through the silk of her dress. She pressed her ass back against him, reveling in the feeling of his erection pulsing against her.

He released her breasts, leaning down to feel his way beneath the hem of her skirt. His hand was hot on her leg through the silk stockings.

“Mike,” she whispered, “I’m wearing an awful lot of clothes to be doing this, you know.”

“Shame, that,” he whispered back. “I can assist, if you would like…”

She shook her head, standing quickly. “Everyone already knows we were together last night, and I’d like to kind of keep things quiet right now, if you know what I mean. I don’t want everyone thinking that you’re a debaucher, and I’m a loose woman.”

He sighed, and she almost caved at the sight of the pathetically pitiful set to his mouth. Baron had nothing on Mike when he was disappointed.

“If you insist.”

She pecked a quick kiss on his lips. “Give me ten minutes. I’ll change and meet you in your room.”

Muriel was all agog over the letter from Sir Frederick. The discussion cooled Jamie’s blood, and by the time she was dressed in her nightgown and Muriel had gone, she wasn’t sure if she should go to Mike. Yes, she wanted him, and he wanted her, but with the way Collette was spreading her tales, should she be more careful?

Jamie sighed, pulled on her robe, and padded down the hall to Mike’s room. This was his world, so she’d have to let him make that decision. He’d promised not to let anyone harm her. She trusted him enough to let him take care of her.

Her knock on the door was answered nearly instantly. Mike pulled her straight into his arms, kissing her madly. All her worries burned up in the heat of his passion. It was a huge relief to let herself go, to enjoy the feel of his body against hers.

His hands were everywhere, her back, her breasts, her ass. He seemed as desperate to forget their troubles as she was. She wrapped her arms around his neck to stay upright.

He scooped an arm behind her knees, picked her up, and deposited her softly on the bed. He ran his hands beneath her gown, up her thighs, and she shuddered.

“Take off your robe.” He grasped her foot, kissing her ankle, then her calf. She unknotted the robe, pulling her arms through the sleeves.

Mike pushed the nightgown up to her waist, baring her body to his gaze. His eyes went dark with lust when he looked at her nude body.

“Open for me,” he whispered, hands rubbing her thighs.

She bit her lip and parted her knees slowly. He sucked a breath in through his teeth. “God, Jamie, you are so lovely.”

He started to reach forward, to touch her, but she stopped him. “Wait. Take your robe off.”

His hands went obediently to the knot at his waist, but he stopped. “I am unclothed underneath. If I am to remove my robe, you must remove your gown.”

She quirked a smile at him. “Tit for tat. I like that. Fine. On the count of three. One, two, three.” She pulled the nightgown over her head and tossed it aside.

Mike still stood with his hands poised on the knot of his robe.

“You shit!” Jamie laughed. “You were supposed to do it at the same time!”

“I lied,” he sighed without budging his gaze from her now-naked breasts.

She grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and covered herself with it. “Okay, now your turn. You can’t see anything else until I see what I came in here for.”

He laughed, a sound that warmed her all over. God, she loved to make him laugh.

“If you insist, Miss Marten.”

He went agonizingly slowly, unraveling the knot one long tail at a time. He used one hand to keep the front of the robe closed. She didn’t want to spoil his striptease by pointing out that she could plainly see his erection standing proud beneath the velvet. It would have spoiled the entertainment. And as he turned, dropping the robe to the floor, she was glad she hadn’t said anything.

“Wow.”

She reached out, unable to stop herself from rubbing her hands down his back, to his slim hips, over his ass, and down those finely muscled legs. He was built, her Mike, that was for sure.

He laughed and turned back to her. From her vantage point on the bed, she was face to head with a very interesting portion of his anatomy.

“Hello,” she said, addressing his member. “We’ve met before, but I don’t know that we’ve been properly introduced.” She pointed at her chest. “I am Jamie”—she touched the rounded tip—“and you are delicious.”

Mike’s chuckles disappeared when she took him in her mouth.

She gripped the base of his shaft with one hand and ran her mouth up and down his length. His ragged breath and gentle moan encouraged her to continue.

“Jamie,” he said hoarsely. “You do not have to…”

She pulled her mouth from him long enough to speak. “Mike? Shut up. Enjoying myself here.”

She wrapped her lips around him again, closed her eyes, and savored the feel of him in her mouth.