What the Earl Desires (5 page)

“Since they arrived in Africa.” His lashes couldn’t conceal the broodingly intense way he watched her. “Lord Adrys knows Father.”

“He knows your father?”

Had that not been what she said? “Yes.”

The play continued as did the questions. She answered with ease, now aware he sought answers about things in Africa.

“Did you clearly see the man who shot Lord Adrys?” he asked, putting all his attention on her.

“Men.”

He lifted a brow. “There was more than one?”

“At least two. I do not know the appearance of them since they wore masks, plus it was raining and dark.”

“How come Lady Adrys did not mention this?”

“She was pushed to the floor of the coach.” She took his queen. “As was Jo.”

“But you saw.”

“Why do you think I pushed them down? Unfortunately, I was to slow to do the same to Lord Adrys.”

“Remarkable.”

She studied the board. “What is, Mr. Faulkner?” There was no answer and she made a cursory peek at him. He stared unabashedly at her.

“Colin.”

She inhaled sharply.

“Call me Colin.”

“’Twould be improper.”

His eyes glittered dangerously and she realized he was a man who more often than not got what he wanted.

“So is being alone with me in a closed room,” he remarked wryly.

Their gazes melded, greenish-gray as tempestuous as the storm outside with dark brown, the color of rich chocolate.

“You are right.” She stood. “Thank you for the game, Mr. Faulkner.” Then she moved for the door.

He beat her there. His large hand landed over her head, pressing against the door, holding it shut. She stared at his arm. The white sleeve rolled up, exposing a powerful forearm covered with dark hair. His heat could be felt behind her.

“Look at me, Najja.” It was a rumbled order.

Slowly she turned and met his swirling gaze. “Yes, Mr. Faulkner?”

“Colin,” he breathed pressing closer.

It was a struggle not to react to the blatant sexuality that rolled off him. Her mouth was dry and her tongue dampened her lips. His eyes followed the movement, darkening further.

“Mr. Faulkner.”

“Colin,” he insisted again.

Her heart pounded out of control. The hand not on the door reached for the rawhide cord around her neck.

“What is this?”

“A necklace.”

He followed the cord until it dipped below her neckline without actually touching her and yet the heat never faded. A throb began between her legs and she longed to tighten them to see if that would stop it.

“Can I see it?”

Was it her imagination or had his head lowered even more?

“I need to go.”

A thick lock of hair fell forward over one amazing eyes. “Call me Colin or show me the necklace and I will let you go.” He came even closer. “One simple word or one touch, you make the choice.”

They weren’t touching? So much heat coursed through her she would swear he pressed against her. The hardness, the high temperature, she was losing it.

“Colin,” she murmured, making fists so she didn’t grab him.

He stared hard at her mouth. “You are a temptation unlike any other, Najja.” Colin swallowed harshly. “Leave, my luscious visitor, before I forget I should be a gentleman.” His eyes raked over her leaving no question what he meant. “Or
how
to be one.”

One final glimpse into eyes that seemed almost tortured, Najja did something she’d never done before. She fled.

Her dreams were filled with erotic exploits of her and Colin. Things she’d seen in India, Egypt, The Orient and beyond ran a continuous line through her mind. Sleep was sporadic at best yet she had risen, worked through her routine, cleaned and dressed to be seated on the bench at the foot of Jo’s bed when she woke.

“Good morning, Najja.”

“Morning, Jo,” she replied with a grin.

Jo sat up and patted the mattress beside her. Najja moved and sat there.

“I do not hear any rain.”

“Stopped late last night.”

“Maybe we could go riding.”

Her thoughts exactly. From the gleam in Jo’s eyes she understood. “I will get dressed.” Jo scrambled from the bed and began dressing, only when she heard the muttered cursing from her friend did Najja get off the thick bed.

“Cursed clothes. Englishwomen wear too many clothes.”

Helping her with the stays, Najja laughed. “
You
are an Englishwoman.”

“Blast it, Najja, do not say that.”

She laughed even more as Jo grumbled about her riding habit. Only doing it harder when the scowl came her way.

“Come on,” she said when Jo finally finished.

Giggling like school girls, they left the room and headed downstairs. The house was silent and yet, Abel appeared out of nowhere.

“Good morning, Miss Adrys, Miss Najja.”

“Good morning, Abel. Splendid day is it not,” Jo remarked.

“Indeed. Can I be of service to you two?”

“No, no. We are just going for a ride since the rain stopped.”

He looked at them obviously unsure of allowing them to proceed with their plans.

“Not a problem, Abel.” A deep voice broke in. Colin. “You ladies feel free; just make sure you take a groom along.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Faulkner,” Jo gushed. “Come on, Najja.”

Jo tugged on her hand and as she allowed herself to be pulled along, she glanced behind to see Colin striding into view. Mouthwatering as ever. How she managed, she had no clue, but she kept her eyes on him and nodded in thanks. Even so…she was hard-pressed to forget last night.

Colin Faulkner is the most dangerous man I know.

Colin sat in his study and thought about events over the past week. Ledgers for his estates sat open before him, ignored. Arrangements had been finalized for the men who’d died in his employ. He sighed.

A glass of whisky dangled from his fingertips as he stared out the window. The rain had indeed faded but upon its retreat brought up a prelude to winter. The leaves had changed colors covering his estate with an enchanting blanketed mix of autumn hues. Golds, browns, yellows, reds, oranges, and more.

Lord Adrys had beaten the fever; unfortunately it had taken its toll on the older man. To Colin’s own amazement he had assured the family it was no hardship for them to remain until Adrys was fit to travel. He actually didn’t mind their presence.

Jo was the source of never-ending laughs as her mother tried to instruct her on the ways deemed proper by the
ton
. Personally, he liked the carefree Jo better. Of course that could be because whenever he faced that side of her he also got to see Najja.

Ever since the night in his library, when her kissable lips formed and spoke his name, his body sung with a need he’d never experienced before. She was almost always near Jo. Truth be told he wasn’t sure when she slept. He’d noticed she always went to check on Lord Adrys since the fever broke.

Every night Colin waited for her in the library, hoping she’d show. Craving more interaction with her. She’d been affected as well, had not she? But she never showed. He’d seen her leave the library on occasion but never had she come in at night after the others had gone to bed.

He knew the women rode daily and he longed to go with. He didn’t but it never ceased the longing. His estates took a lot of work and he focused on them, endeavoring to be calm and respectful toward the vixen of his dreams, regardless of the fact she created less than courteous visions in his head.

Laughter brought his attention back from its wanderings and he stared at the closed door. He set down his glass and raked a hand through his hair. The door opened to admit Berry. His valet nodded in greeting and limped his way to a seat, where he sat after placing a stack of papers on the desk.

“Do I dare ask what is going on out there?”

Berry flashed him a grin, reminiscent of their days in the Royal Navy. “Probably not.”

“So you will tell me anyway.”

“Of course.” He leaned back. “The women are helping to pack gifts for the festival tomorrow.”

The Autumn Festival was a huge event for his tenants and the villagers to have a well earned day of rest. Dancing, food, tricks.

“And the laughter?”

“That was Najja telling a story of their time in Africa.”

Undeniable rage stormed through him for two reasons. One, Berry called her Najja--never mind she told
him
that very thing--and two, why the hell was she laughing and joking with others but not him?

“Miss Najja,” he growled.

Berry lifted his eyebrows at the tone. “Miss Najja,” he said with compliance. “Anyway, she and Miss Adrys have been entertaining the ones fixing the baskets.”

His hand resided on his leg and flexed into a fist a couple of times. “I see.” Holding Berry’s stare, he forced his hand to relax.

A twinkle appeared in Berry’s blue eyes. “If you will excuse me, I am going to assist them.” He got to his feet and headed to the door where he paused long enough to look back at Colin. Berry opened his mouth as if to speak then appeared to think better of it and left in silence.

With a groan, Colin turned his attention back to the stack of work before him. For not the first time since Najja had come to his house did he wish to turn it over to Berry or his man of affairs. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he forced himself to stay there.

Two hours later the numbers had all begun to stream into one. A scratch at the door brought his head up. “Come,” he said grateful for the reprieve. Abel entered and hesitated causing him to arch a brow. “Yes?”

“Sir, Lord Adrys asked to see you if you can spare a moment.”

“Thank you, Abel.” He replaced the quill and pushed to his feet.

Abel closed the door behind him and as he proceeded to the stairs he could hear more feminine laughter. He wanted to be there with Najja. This feeling, desire, to be near her was strange. They’d barely spoken but he could
feel
it on a deeper level--there existed a connection there. He just needed her to realize it. Almost intimate, this
thing
he felt for her.

He took the stairs two at a time and walked down the hall toward the room he’d had Lord Adrys placed in.
Four rooms
, he mused as he continued along. Not that he needed them but he had a small staff and despite his reputation of being a coldhearted man, he cared for them. They were more of a family than his own had ever been.

Good thing Najja was in her own room, although considering how close she and Jo were there was a good chance they shared.

He sighed and adjusted his breeches before knocking at the door. His breath caught in his throat when the door opened. Najja stood before him, dressed today in green. All he could focus on was the way it offset her smooth skin.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Faulkner,” she said meeting his gaze head on even as she dipped a small curtsey.

Fully aware of Lord Adrys’ gaze on him from where he lay in the bed, he ignored baser desires and gave her a brief nod, his nose assaulted by her engaging and irresistible scent. Vanilla and spiced roses. Need swelled within him.

“Miss Najja.”

He burned even hotter as her gaze moved down his face over his body to the toes of his shiny Hessians and back up. Unfortunately she never said a word, just slid by him, tantalizing close yet frustratingly apart. Then she was gone, leaving behind her scent and nothing more. Ignoring the urge to turn his head and follow her steps, he fully entered the room and gave a low bow.

“You wished to see me, my lord?”

Lord Hayworth Adrys still looked drawn and pale. “You have offered us hospitality and put up with my family without blinking. I think we can dispense with the formalities.”

He liked the man. “Very well, Adrys then. What can I do for you?”

As Adrys struggled into a sitting position, he cast an easy perusal about the room. They were alone.
Why was Najja in here without anyone else present?
Was there something between Najja and Adrys? The thought left a sour taste in his gut.

“I want to apologize for putting you in this predicament.”

He shook his head needing more clarification. “I have more than enough room.”

“No.” Adrys coughed. “There have been attempts on my life.” More coughing. “Part of why we came back to England early.”

Colin sat in a tall chair adjacent to the bed. He didn’t like how this sounded. “Why do you not have more travelling with you?”

“Thought it would attract less attention until we got to the country estate. Then we would head to London once the place had been set to rights.”

Logical but still it bothered him that there was Adrys and three women without protection.

“Where is your estate?”