Page 28 of Discovering Her Earl

“You… You’re wearing breeches.” He pointed at them as if the woman wasn’t aware she stood in the formal breakfast room wearing men’s clothing. Her shirt was similar to his own. Including the way it gaped open at the neck, revealing her delicate collarbone. Her golden red hair was tied back in a thick braid that fell over her shoulder.

“Please don’t tell me you are scandalized by my attire. I wouldn’t think you of all people would be a stickler for propriety.”

“I’m not a stickler, I’m just… surprised.” He was mostly surprised by how seeing her dressed in men’s clothing made his body react. He never would have thought such a thing would be so alluring. “And what do you mean by me of all people? Because I’m a barbaric Scot?”

She frowned at him.

“No. Because you are flush with scandal.”

He nodded, though that was no better a reason. He couldn’t think. Looking at her muddled his already befuddled brain.

The breeches clung snugly to her womanly curves in a way breeches had no business doing. The shirt was thin enough that he could just see a hint of whatever she wore under it. And what looked like lace edging. Feminine colliding with masculine in the most sensual way.

By the time his gaze landed on her feet, he was already envisioning her in his bed wearing nothing but those knee-high boots.

“You’re so… That is…” What was he to say? He couldn’t think of words. Any words. At least not English ones. He settled on “Buaireadh aingidh.” For she was a wicked temptress.

She rolled her eyes and muttered something about why anyone found him charming.

“We leave in ten minutes,” she announced and left the room.

He caught himself from arguing or speaking at all. He was certain whatever came out of his mouth at that minute wouldn’t be acceptable. Besides, he only had mere minutes to put something in his mouth. It was best to focus on that.

He had no doubt she would leave without him if given the opportunity.

He slurped down a cup of coffee and fisted three pieces of toast and a rasher of bacon to carry with him as he hurried toward the mews in the back of the house.

She was driving a cart, serviced by two gray mules, out of the building as he arrived. He tossed his knapsack filled with tools in the back beside hers and climbed up in the seat next to her.

Without the fullness of her skirts, he managed to sit close enough that he could feel the heat of her body as her leg bumped against his. He moved away quickly and cleared his throat as she snapped the reins to get the mules moving.

Part of him wanted to be a gentleman and ask if she wanted him to drive, but the other part warned that such a gesture might get him tossed off the conveyance and left behind.

Besides, he needed both hands to finish eating.

It was a fortunate thing that Julian knew the way to his mouth well as the rutted lane they took to the castle ruins made the act of eating rather difficult.

He looked up and gasped, which didn’t work well when his mouth was full. He began to choke and cough, but Miss Bantham drove on as if she hadn’t noticed. Or perhaps hadn’t cared. Still without addressing him she bent then passed him a small jug he hoped held water.

He removed the cork and took a swig. After a few more barking coughs he was restored. Or was certain he wouldn’t die, at least.

He pointed at what had caused his surprise in the first place. The sun was shooting pink and gold rays across the sky.

“I’ve forgotten how beautiful the sunrise was from here,” he croaked.

“Do you not see the sunrise often, my lord?”

“Nay. ’Tis difficult to see in town. Though I’m often awake at that hour.”

“I assume you mean on your return home rather than rising at that hour?” She lifted her brows in a saucy smirk and he felt the tug in his breeches again.

He shrugged rather than answer. Though Hale had settled down, Kit, Graham, and Julian still went out most nights. They mostly kept to drinking at their clubs rather than gambling or carousing. But still he had arrived home many times after dawn had broken. And soon that would all be at an end because he would need to marry.

Rather than ruin the breathtaking view with thoughts of his father’s plans, he smiled at the woman next to him.

She darted a glance in his direction before staring straight ahead once more.

“Every time I think we have turned a corner to being friends, you put me back in my place as the lowest creature you’ve ever encountered. It’s quite maddening.”