Page 52 of Discovering Her Earl

She was the granddaughter of a duke, and the daughter of a vicar. But she was also adventurous and curious about the relations between men and women in the bedroom. Propriety was often sacrificed for desire.

For the first time she contemplated such a sacrifice for herself and found it wouldn’t feel like a sacrifice at all.

Who would care if she took a lover? She needn’t even worry about a possible scandal. At her age, no one cared what she did. If she needed more proof of that, she need only look at their current living arrangements.

She was living alone with an unmarried man she wasn’t related to.

Yet neither her aunt nor uncle even considered she might do something untoward with the man. Despite him being a known rake. It was as if she was excluded from such consideration because she was a spinster.

Their letters encouraged her to be polite to the earl. They didn’t once mention the problem with the Leightons leaving them alone once more.

And while the Leightons’ daughter-in-law was much improved, according to Mrs. Leighton’s letter, it was clear they would not be returning before this expedition was over.

And what did it matter anyway?

Surely Lord Melville wouldn’t spare a thought to seducing the likes of her. He was pleasant and laughed with her, but clearly the attraction she felt was one-sided.

Letting out a stiff sigh, she had worked herself up to irritation once more.

She knew she had no right to aim her displeasure in Julian’s direction, but the fact that he was known to seduce more than a smile from any eligible female in England yet hadn’t attempted anything with her spoke to his disinterest, while she was…

Well… interested.

Damn.

“Are you well? You look quite put out,” Julian said as he entered the room for dinner.

“I’m fine.” The words fairly snapped from her lips.

“But angry if your terse reply is any indication.”

“You think you know me well enough to know whether or not my reply is terse or if I look put out?”

He came closer and ducked his head so as to look her in the eye. Not that he had to stoop very low to do so. He smiled, showing off the dimple that intrigued her.

“I think I have come to know you quite well since we left London. We spend most of our time in each other’s company, so it goes that we would have learned things.”

She tilted her head to the side curiously.

“And have you only noticed when I am being unpleasant?”

He laughed and shook his head.

“No. Though when we first set off, you gave me plenty to study in that regard.”

She tried to hide a smile and failed.

“I know you don’t want to encourage me or give me the gratification of knowing you find me charming even when you do and that is why you press your lips together to hide your mirth.”

“To no success.”

“Obviously. I’m likely the most charming gentleman you’ve ever met. You don’t stand a chance against my powers.”

“Is that so?”

“Aye, it is. But not to worry—and I know you are unhappy with me for pointing that out because your copper-gold brows have pulled together—for I fell victim to your powers before we were even outside of the city.”

“My powers?” She had no powers over this man. Or any man. If she did, she would have used them on her uncle to get out of this situation entirely.