Page 53 of Discovering Her Earl

“You disliked me, and that is my weakness. Most people like me. I see to it, work to make it so. But you…” He shook his head. “You see through my act. Right to the heart of me. It’s rather frightening, but also exciting. And it just makes me want to try harder rather than give up.”

“But I have told you I no longer dislike you. Shouldn’t you stop trying to impress me now? The challenge has been met. You have won.”

She didn’t look away from his intense gaze. He was right, they had come to know each other quite well. If she glanced away, even so much as to focus on his nose, he might know she hoped he wouldn’t give up quite yet.

He winked at her in that way that sent a tingle down to her toes.

“I don’t think I shall ever grow weary of winning your smiles, Elaina.”

Dear God, he’d used her given name. She hadn’t given him permission, but there was no way she could pretend not to like it. Not when he was sure to notice the shiver of pleasure that came over her at his words.

She was completely affected by him.

This was a dangerous game they played. One she was going to lose.

*

After another uneventful day in the trenches, Julian turned over the mules to the stable boy and walked with Elaina to the house.

“So that is it,” he said.

“Yes. Are you disappointed with our results? Just the one pitcher and a few rusty tools.”

He shook his head. “Not at all. It isn’t really about what we find, but the excitement of what might have been found.”

“True.”

They climbed the stairs and paused in the hall by the doors to their room.

“Will I see you for dinner?”

“Yes. I’ll be down after my valet spiffs me to a shine.” He stopped before going into his room and called back to her. “Will you have treats down your dress tonight? I only ask in case I’m feeling peckish before the meal is served.”

“You are on your own. I’m afraid lady’s gowns and corsets leave little room for anything but a few crumbs.”

“I will be sure to keep enough for both of us. You can count on me, Miss Bantham.”

He gave a jaunty salute before shutting himself in his room.

Ben assisted with getting his bath ready and helping him dress appropriately for dinner with the same person he’d spent the day with.

Julian had regularly enjoyed the social scene in London. He was often found at whatever ball or musicale was popular that evening. Anything to avoid staying at home alone.

He would have thought he would have missed having somewhere exciting to go and would be chomping at the bit to leave Dalkeith Castle for a change of scenery.

However, he found himself eager to spend the evening in. It seemed he had grown quite fond of the scenery at home and was in no hurry to leave.

Not that it mattered.

Tomorrow morning, they would leave for the return trip to London. How the months had flown by.

Time in general was passing much too quickly. Before long he would be facing another birthday, and with it the addition of a wife. But not the one he wanted.

“What is amiss? I thought you would be eager to go home to Lord Stormont and Lord Penbrook,” Ben said as he helped him into his dinner jacket.

“I was just thinking the same thing and wondering why I am less than excited. While I have missed Kit and Graham, I still find I would much rather stay here. What do you think that is about?”

“I believe it is more about who you would be staying here with than simply staying at Dalkeith.”