The Seduction of an Earl (32 page)

Hannah felt empty as he left her body, but with his explanation, she was suddenly glad she was probably already with child. No wonder his lovemaking had been so violent. She had thought him merely angry at Sarah’s decision to marry. A decision Sarah had obviously made without first seeking his blessing.

At the reminder that Henry would no longer be sharing Sarah’s bed, Hannah placed a hand on the side of his face. “Will you seek another to be your mistress?” she wondered, hoping her question wouldn’t anger him. “I know you will always love her. She is the mother of your son ...”

“No,” he whispered, turning his body so that he lay on his back. “I believe it is time to concentrate on more important things.”

Hannah turned on her side, nestling her head into the small of his shoulder. “What might those be?” she wondered sleepily, thinking he referred to the improvements to the property or the farm equipment or the restoration of Ellsworth Park.

Henry kissed her head. “You, of course. And getting you with child,” he said with a wan grin. How much simpler everything would be from now on, he realized. How could he think he could keep Sarah satisfied when he could offer her nothing but a life as a mistress? She had long ago made the decision not to be his wife despite his every overture. It was time he let her go to make her own life.

He felt Hannah’s hand pulling on his wrist, moving his hand so that it settled on her belly. She had placed her small hand over the top of it, her fingers settling between his before she gave him an incandescent smile. At his look of shock and the sudden movement that left her flat on her back and him on his side with his hand still resting on her belly, Hannah giggled.

“I am not yet positive ...” she tried to get out before his lips took purchase on one of her nipples. “Oh!”

“But?” Henry managed to get out as he moved his lips to her other nipple, kissing it more gently. He had bitten it far too hard earlier.

“I am three days late with my ...”

His lips were on hers even before she could finish her sentence. When he finally pulled away to nip her earlobe, he whispered, “You have made me the happiest man in England. Even if you are not yet with child.”

Hannah smiled, her heart suddenly filled with more gladness than she could ever imagine feeling. “Let’s make sure I am, then.”

Henry regarded her for a moment and then finally nodded. “As you wish, my lady.”

Chapter 21

Little Harold Makes a Discovery

“The main trench along the western line is complete, my lord,” the foreman announced as Henry rode up on Thunder to review the progress of the laborers. Despite the cooler temperatures, several men were perspiring as they leaned on their shovels and drank from canteens.

Henry dismounted and surveyed the ditch that now stretched from the river to the north edge of the field. He stepped down into the trench and looked toward the river. The final earthen dam was still in place, although once the gates were built, that would be dug out to allow river water to flood the trench. He could only hope the trench wouldn’t have too many low spots that might trap water, or high spots that would prevent water from filling the trench along its entire length. “Excellent work, Mr. Coley. If this weather holds, Mr. Perkins and his crew should be able to start the gate tomorrow. And your crew can move to the central trench.”

Frank Coley nodded. “Very good, my lord,” he replied, wiping his forehead with the back of his arm. “The stakes marking the channel are in place, of course, and Mr. Filbert will see to staking the gate openings just as soon as he is back from Bampton.”

Filbert was the surveyor responsible for making sure the guide markers for the trenches were installed in straight lines perpendicular to the river. He had also seen to it a section of the eastern field had been plowed so that there would be end guides for the trenching to follow as the laborers dug the central ditch. Henry could only hope the lay of the land was level enough for everything to work once the trenches were flooded.

“I’ll have Cavenaugh bring his oxen and plow the day after tomorrow. With the plows here and in the village, the rest of the furrows can be done in three or four days,” he figured, hoping he wasn’t waiting too long to get seed in. He wanted the infrastructure for irrigating in place before he had the valuable seed planted. If the weather remained too chilly, though, it wouldn’t do any good to plant too soon anyway.

The construction on the greenhouses was progressing. If what Aldenwood predicted came true and there was no summer, Henry wanted the greenhouses in place and producing whatever could be planted under their protection, preferably fruits and vegetables. A building crew had completed the framing for the first greenhouse the day before. A glazier from Bampton would begin the installation of glass panes as soon as the frame was complete. There wasn’t enough glass in all of this part of Bampton to cover the entire greenhouse with it, but oilcloth would suit for the remainder. Henry heaved a sigh of relief when he realized the first greenhouse might be ready in just a few weeks.

He remounted his horse and tipped his hat to his foreman. “Send these men to their homes, Mr. Coley, but pay them for a full day.” When the men nearest to him heard his announcement to the foremen, they broke out in cheers. He gave Thunder free rein and headed toward the stables behind Gisborn Hall.

That day’s post had brought word of Hannah’s dowry from her father. The Marquess of Devonville had arranged for it to be deposited into Henry’s bank account. With more than enough to pay for the buildings and for the gates to be built, Henry was feeling a bit generous.
The Gates of Hannah
, he thought with a grin.

Henry was nearly to the stables when Harold bounded toward him from the north. The puppy was barking, the sound deeper than it had been his first day at Gisborn Hall. Thinking the dog was merely greeting him, Henry gave him a nod and continued on his way toward the stables. But Harold was soon racing ahead of the cantering horse, turning in circles and then running back toward the southeast. When he looked back and saw that Henry was not following him, Harold barked again.

Henry watched the dog turn in a circle and run back toward him. When the dog reached the area in front of where Thunder was about to step, Harold turned and barked again. Thunder was forced to step sideways and finally come to a halt as Henry pulled on the reins.

Angry at the little dog’s odd behavior, Henry stared down at Harold, intending to scold him. But the dog raced off toward the southeast again, stopping and turning as if he expected Henry to follow him.

Curious as to the dog’s behavior, and remembering the late Harold’s similar behavior when he was trying to get Henry to the river, Henry spurred Thunder to follow the dog. Harold was soon bounding over the furrows that had been dug earlier that day, his white and brown fur appearing and disappearing as he leaped over each furrow edge and landed in the depression in between.

At one point, Henry realized Thunder had gone too far; Harold’s bark was suddenly coming from behind them. Turning the horse around, Henry spotted the dog, the front of his body and head peeking over the top edge of a furrow as he resumed his barking.

Wondering if the dog was involved in some form of play, Henry allowed Thunder to pick his way back toward the little beast. He slightly cursed at the thought of some of the furrows being trampled not only by his horse but by Harold. He dismounted once he realized Harold wasn’t moving from the spot from where he stood guard.

Hands on his hips, Henry stared down at Harold. “What has gotten into ...” His words faded as he realized Harold stood over a spot in a furrow where he’d obviously done some digging beyond what the plow had accomplished earlier that day.

Scattered on the freshly turned earth were several coins. Leaning down, Henry picked up one and brushed the dirt from it. The sovereign gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. He knelt down and retrieved several more coins, all sovereigns.

Tail wagging furiously, Harold bounded to the other edge of the furrow and let out a small ‘woof’.

Henry turned to regard the pup. “Indeed,” he replied, wondering if Harold had seen the coins as they were dropped by whomever guided the plow horse. But then he noticed the rotting remains of pasteboard. As he pulled several pieces of pasteboard out of the ground, more coins appeared.

Harold was suddenly in the middle of the mess, his paws digging quickly to further separate the remains. With another low ‘woof’, he buried his snout into the ground.

“Harold,” Henry said with a shake of his head. “Your mistress is not going to be happy when she sees how dirty you’ve managed to get ...”

Harold’s head appeared from the hole, his bared teeth displaying his latest find. Henry stared at the dog before glancing down at the collection of coins.

The memory of his son telling him of the lost pirate treasure came to him in a flash as Harold dropped a dirt encrusted object into Henry’s outstretched hand. Then the dog pulled his back legs under him and sat up, his head cocking to one side as Henry fingered the object until the small clods of dirt gave way to reveal the gold and ruby of his signet ring.

“I’ll be damned,” he breathed, holding the ring up before Harold. “My ring. You found my ring, Harold.”

Standing up briefly and turning in a tight circle, Harold wagged his tail before he returned to his sitting position. Henry gave him a pat on the head before gathering up the coins. “You found the buried treasure! These are Nathan’s,” he said as he rubbed the dirt off several of the sovereigns, showing each one to the dog as if he would understand. There were nine in all; Henry couldn’t be sure if his son had buried any more than that in the pasteboard box that made up the treasure chest he and Andrew had created that day just over a year ago.

Shaking his head, Henry gathered the treasure into a golden pile. “Good dog,” he said with a nod. “Let’s get these home.” With that, Henry cradled the coins and ring in one hand against the front of his body while he mounted Thunder. He directed the horse back toward the stables while Harold ran along side, his tail waving behind him. Henry wondered how he would inform his son of the find. Perhaps he would just package them into a pasteboard box and give them to Nathan later that night when he paid him a visit. His son would be thrilled to discover his birthday presents had been found, and probably even more thrilled to find out they had been found by little Harold.

Or perhaps he would keep them until Nathan’s eleventh birthday and give them to him then.

The excitement he felt at having found the treasure was too much to bear, though. When he dismounted, he handed the reins of Thunder to a stable boy and hurried into the house by way of the back door into the kitchen.

He wondered what Hannah might think. She would certainly be distressed to see Harold’s front paws covered in dirt as they were right now. He could imagine his wife admonishing the poor pup even as the two of them approached the door to the kitchen.

“My lord?” The voice of cook sounded as surprised as Henry had been only moments before.

“Yes, Mrs. Chambers, it’s just me. And what has Lady Gisborn decided we’re having for dinner this evening?” he wondered, hoping the cook wouldn’t notice Harold following him into the house. He was aware there had been an issue with the late Harold and his first visit to the kitchen.

“Beggin’ your pardon, my lord, but Lady Gisborn says if you was to ask, I was to tell you ’tis a surprise and not be telling you. But you’ll like it just fine, if you catch my meaning,” she said, one eye winking as she wiped her hands on her dirty apron.

Henry gave the cook his best grin and motioned for Harold to follow him.

Harold paused and gave the cook an imploring glance. “Oh, would you look at the wee one. Got into some trouble now, did he?” she spoke in a good natured voice, not sounding angry in the least.

“Actually, he got my son
out
of a good deal of trouble today,” Henry countered. “If you can keep your tongue, I’d be much obliged,” he said as he held out his ungloved hand. The signet ring, still a bit caked in dirt, shown from his fourth finger.

The cook took a closer look. “Well, I’ll be!” she breathed, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. “Harold found that, did he?” she whispered, obviously impressed with the pup.

“He did, indeed. But he’s gone and gotten himself a bit dirty in the process ...”

“Oh, don’t you be worrying none about that, my lord,” Mrs. Chambers replied with a wave of her hand. “I can see to it Billy gets him cleaned up right quick.” She turned and yelled in her more annoying imitation of a Welsh milkmaid. “Billy! Git your sorry bottom in here right quick!”

Henry had to keep himself from rolling his eyes as Harold gave him a tentative glance and the cook moved toward the door from which he and Harold had entered from the stables. The young groom hurried into the kitchen, breathless. “Yes, ma’am?” he offered, his cap coming off his head and his body bending in the middle as he bowed to the earl. “My lord,” he murmured, his face turning a scarlet red.

“Bill,” Henry replied, giving the young man a nod. “Are you leg-shackled yet?” he asked, keeping his voice as serious as possible.

The groom shook his head. “The second reading of the banns is this Sunday, my lord. Lily’s father gave me permission to ask for her hand the Sunday after we got her back, and she agreed to marry me,” he said, his chest puffing out just a bit with the news.

Henry gave the groom a nod. “And are you settled into your new quarters yet?”

Billy dared a glance at the cook before he shrugged. “I’m moved in, but seeing as how we’re not married yet, Lily is still in her room, my lord,” he answered, his face reddening as if Lily might already be sharing his bed. The earl remembered the night he’d seen Billy bathing Lily and wondered if he should have seen to a special license for the couple. But since they were going about their wedding the more traditional route, Henry found he couldn’t argue with how things were progressing. And then the thought struck him – if he and Hannah had waited for banns to be read for three weeks prior to their wedding, they still wouldn’t be married!

“Where will the ceremony be held?” the earl asked then, wondering if he and Hannah would be invited to attend.

Exchanging glances with Mrs. Chambers, Billy took a breath and said, “The chapel in Bampton, my lord. Lily and I were hoping you and your countess could be in attendance. That is, if you don’t have anyplace else you have to be that day,” he added, making Henry wonder if the groom really wanted him to attend.

“We’ll be there,” Henry said with a nod. He glanced down at Harold. “I’m sure you must be wondering why you were called in,” he said, nodding in the cook’s direction.

Mrs. Chambers took her cue. “Get some water heated up and give the pup a bath. Use the tub you used for big Harold when last you done it. And see to it he gets a treat.” She turned to the earl. “I saved the trimmin’s from last night’s ham for him,” she said, giving Henry another wink.

“That was very considerate of you,” he offered, wanting her to know she could continue doing such things with the dog in mind.

The large woman beamed, her rosy cheeks reddening with embarrassment.“Thank ye, my lord.” She returned her attention to the groom, and, as if she hadn’t just been the sweetest thing to the earl, she said, “Now git going!”

Billy hurried off, calling Harold to follow him. Harold looked up at Henry, as if he was asking for permission to follow the groom. Henry nodded and waved him off. The puppy gave a short ‘woof’ and hurried off after the boy.

“Thank you, Mrs. Chambers,” he said with another nod before making his way out of the kitchen and up the servants’ stairs. He hadn’t gone far before Parkerhouse stepped out of his quarters.

“My lord?” he said, obviously surprised to find the earl on the servants’ stairs.

“Yes, Parkerhouse. Would there be a pasteboard box ... about so big,” he held out one hand to indicate a small size, “That a gift of coins might fit into?”

The butler puffed out his chest as he considered the earl’s question. “I believe there is one in your study, my lord. Your latest book arrived in it last week. And there’s a letter for the countess on your desk.”

Henry considered what book that might have been. One on farming, no doubt. “That should do, Parkerhouse. See to its placement on the desk in my study. I’ll need it directly following dinner.”

He thought to give the coins to Parkerhouse for him to clean and put in the box, but some things were too important to have a servant do. He took his leave of the butler and continued up the stairs, wondering if he might catch a glimpse of Hannah before she changed for dinner. Opening the door that led to the main hall, he caught sight of her conversing with the housekeeper. She held a long sheet of parchment, and Hannah and Mrs. Batey were both studying it. His heart clenched as he watched her face light up in delight at something the housekeeper had just said.

He continued to watch, leaning his tall body against the door frame.

In only a moment, the countess seemed to sense that someone was watching her. She slowly turned to find the earl, his arms crossed over his chest and one foot crossed over the other, doing just that. “My lord!” she spoke with a hint of surprise. She excused herself and moved to stand before him as the housekeeper hurried off with the parchment. About to curtsy, Hannah was suddenly pulled hard against the front of his body. “Oh!” she managed to get out before Henry’s lips came down onto hers. Although he had frequently kissed her without preamble in their bedchambers, he had never blatantly done so where anyone could witness their indiscretion. Hannah finally reached her hands to his neck and returned the kiss, a slight moan escaping before Henry eventually released her.

“Good afternoon, my lady,” he whispered, his nose grazing her temple and forehead before his lips touched her forehead.

“And to you, my lord,” Hannah whispered back. She quickly glanced around, thinking a footman or maid might be witnessing their tryst.

“There’s a letter for you in my study. And no one saw us,” Henry whispered, his arms wrapping around her waist and holding her hard against his front. “I have it on good authority that no one is here but us,” he murmured. The sound of a throat clearing had him grasping Hannah closer to his body as he moved to protect her from their interloper.

“Pardon me, my lord,” Parkerhouse said in his most bored sounding tone. The butler moved by the couple and headed toward the study, disappearing into the room without a backward glance at the earl and countess.

Clearly mortified, Hannah had to move a hand to cover her mouth. “Henry!” she managed to get out before her husband let her go.

Not the least bit embarrassed at having been found in error, Henry grinned. “Come, my lady. I have something to show you,” he said with a hint of mischief.

Hannah’s face turned bright pink.

“Not
that
, my lady,” he said as he realized his manhood had created a bulge in his doeskin breeches. “These,” he said as he held out his handful of sovereigns.

Her eyes widening at the sight of the dirt encrusted coins, Hannah gave him a curious glance. “Where did you find them?” she wondered, one long finger pushing the top one aside to reveal another below. She thought there had to be at least a half-dozen in the stack.

“I didn’t. Harold did,” he said as he turned and offered her his arm. Hannah placed her hand on it and walk alongside him as he explained what had happened in the newly plowed field the year before. “Parkerhouse is getting a box for me now. Once I have these cleaned up, I’ll see to it they’re returned to Nathan.”

Hannah’s mouth formed an ‘o’. “He’ll be so relieved to learn of their discovery,” she breathed. “But what of your signet ring? Wasn’t that in the same treasure box he buried?”

Henry grinned as he held up his other hand. The ruby caught the candlelight of a nearby torch. “Safe and sound, although it needs a good cleaning,” he announced proudly. “As does Harold. Billy is seeing to that right now.” Hannah stopped, a look of horror on her face. “What is it?” Henry wondered, his brows furrowing.

Hannah shrugged but did not return the earl’s gaze. “Are you ... angry with him?” she asked, her voice very quiet as they entered his study. The pasteboard box was already on his desk, its lid sitting off to one side.

Henry’s brows continued to show concern. “Of course not. He found the treasure, Hannah,” he said with a shrug, as if Harold’s behavior could be excused because something good had come of it. “He’s actually a very good dog. Just as loyal as his predecessor and a bit better looking, I must say.” He found the letter Parkerhouse mentioned and was about to hand it to her.

At that, a brilliant smile appeared on Hannah’s face. Henry’s heart seemed to clench at the sight of it, but he reminded himself they were talking of her pet just then. He thought of her making that brilliant smile when told that one of their children had done something good. “Now, I just want to get these coins cleaned up a bit before I package them in this box,” he said, giving her a peck on the cheek. “And then I’ll get dressed for dinner.” He glanced at her again, his gaze locked on her when he noticed a look of mischief on her face.“What is it?” he wondered. Dumping the coins onto his desk, he moved to wrap his arms around her waist.

“I think you should leave them just as they are, with their bits of dried mud,” she murmured in a quiet voice. “The way real pirates might find them.” She gazed at him through her lowered lashes.

Henry chuckled. “And what, pray tell, do you know of real pirates, my lady?” he teased, giving her a peck on the forehead.

“Only what I read in stories, of course,” she replied with an arched eyebrow. “Just because I look like I stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale doesn’t mean I’ve only read those kinds of books.”

Intrigued by her comment, Henry moved a bit closer, one arm moving up to her shoulder. “And what story might you be thinking about this very moment?” he whispered, his lips taking purchase on her temple.

Hannah inhaled sharply, thinking fast to come up with the most titillating tale she could think of. She was now certain she was with child, but once she told Henry, she feared he would no longer come to her bedchamber every night. He had only promised to bed her every night for another two weeks. The thought of spending her nights alone made her feel quite bereft, empty even. “Lady Godiva,” she whispered, her lips moving to leave their mark along his jaw. She felt Henry’s body stiffen and then wondered if she should have come up with a different tale.

“I do not tax my tenants beyond their ability to pay,” Henry whispered back, his teeth capturing her earlobe. “In fact, I do not tax them at all,” he added, sounding as if he’d taken umbrage at her suggestion that he was an autocratic leader.

Hannah let out a slight squeak. “I was thinking of you more as the ... noble steed,” she clarified, her eyebrow arching when Henry caught her naughty look. “You know. The horse she rode so fast and so hard as she was making her protest.”

Henry stared at her for a very long five seconds. Then he glanced about the room, suddenly in a panic. “Well, I ... I can’t very well take you on the desk,” he murmured, his attention moving to various chairs, tables and even the fireplace.

Moving to the door, Hannah drove home the bolt lock, turned, and leaned her back against the panel. With her hands behind her back and her head resting against the door panel, she regarded her suddenly discomfited husband with that arched eyebrow. “Lady Godiva
mounted
her horse, Henry. Not the other way ’round,” she said in a voice so silky she didn’t recognize it as her own. She stepped forward, removed a slipper using the toe of her other slipper, and lifted her foot to the edge of the desk. With one hand, she raised her skirt to just past the knee, revealing a shapely calf encased in a sheer silk stocking. “You’ll have to play my lady’s maid first, of course. And then the horse.”