The Earl’s Dangerous Passion (Historical Regency Romance) Read online

  Amy didn’t want to talk about the earl anymore. She looked around and saw a footman walking close by with a tray of drinks. She waved him over, taking two glasses and holding one out to Sarah.

  “Do you want another drink?”

  “I thought you wanted me to take care with how much I drank.”

  “I’ve changed my mind,” Amy mumbled. Anything to stop Sarah from talking about marriage. Specifically, anything involving the Earl of Derby.

  * * *

  Kenneth Cliff, Marquis of Merseyside, raised his glass.

  “Cheers.”

  Derby raised his glass in return.

  “Good health.”

  Merseyside tipped his head back and drank down his glass in one go. Derby could see that his cheeks were getting redder and redder, and he was swaying a little. If he drank any more, chances were the Marquis would have to be carried up to his bedchamber.

  Derby wasn’t about to be nearby when his new brother-in-law passed out drunk.

  “Oh, great.”

  “What?”

  Merseyside was looking at his pocket watch with a scowl.

  “The time. It’s only been an hour since we left the dinner table and came in here. I thought it was much later than that.”

  “That’s the fifth time you’ve looked at your watch in the last ten minutes,” Derby pointed out. “What is the matter with you?”

  Merseyside huffed and gestured at the guests.

  “You know I hate these formalities, Derby. It’s meant to be my wedding day.”

  “And we’re all here celebrating it, or have you forgotten?”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” Merseyside was staring across the room. “I just want to spend the rest of my wedding day with my bride. Alone.”

  Derby didn’t need to know where he was staring. Sarah was like a beacon in that dress of hers. And she looked absolutely radiant. Derby was immensely proud of her taking this arranged match with good grace and had been honored to give her away. He had thought Merseyside would be a good match for his sister, and from the way his friend had reacted the first time he and Sarah met, he was more than taken with her.

  Derby was glad about that, but he wasn’t keen on knowing what the Marquis wanted to do with Sarah.

  “You do realize that’s my sister you’re talking about.”

  “Oh.” Merseyside cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Derby. I forgot.”

  “I noticed,” Derby said dryly as he sipped at his drink. “Look, Mersey, you may consider yourself the one in control of this marriage, but if you force Sarah into something she doesn’t like, she will fight you.”

  Merseyside arched an eyebrow.

  “I can hardly believe that. She’s not the fighting type.”

  “Believe me, she most certainly is. You’ve just not been in her company when that fine temper of hers has come out.” Derby gave his friend a pointed look. “I know you like things a certain way, but if you try to rule Sarah with an iron fist, she will fight back.”

  “Are you trying to tell me how to do things in my marriage?”

  “Sarah is your bride, but she is my sister.” Derby tipped his glass at Merseyside. “You abuse her; you’ll have to answer to me.”

  “Trust me; I won’t do that.” Merseyside placed a hand on his chest. “I swear it to you that I won’t harm Sarah.”

  Derby believed that. Merseyside was an honorable man. They had known each other for years, and the Marquis was a respectable man. His father, the Duke of Liverpool, had raised him to be a good person. It had certainly won Sarah over, and there was a great degree of affection between them. Derby hoped it would last.

  Merseyside turned away when someone got his attention, leaving Derby alone. Derby took a moment to look around the room. Lots of people had arrived to celebrate the wedding, and the festivities were certainly going strong. Everyone was in high spirits, with the exception of Lord and Lady Hartley, who were in a corner in a heated conversation. Neither of them looked particularly happy.

  Derby didn’t understand why they had come along. The invitation had only been for Amy Hartley, their child. But, Hartley and Lady Hartley had arrived as well, declaring they needed to chaperone her. Amy hadn’t been happy with it at all and had almost immediately disappeared from view as soon as they had turned up at the church.

  He had no idea how his father, the last Earl of Derby, and Lord Hartley had managed to become friends or even remain friends. The two men were completely different, and from what Derby could remember when he was a child, his father merely tolerated Hartley. If it hadn’t been for his lovely wife, the first Lady Hartley, perhaps they wouldn’t have been associates at all.

  Chapter Two

  And then, perhaps, they wouldn’t have known Amy Hartley. Derby found himself smiling as he remembered the first time he saw Amy. Three years old with light brown curls and a cute little lisp. She had followed him around like a puppy, which Derby had found annoying at nine years old. Sarah had adored her, and the two were inseparable whenever the Hartley family visited.

  Amy was a saint for having to live with an insufferable man and an equally insufferable stepmother. Derby had no idea how she managed to do it without going mad.

  Pulled from his thoughts, Derby saw Amy. She was hovering near a plant by one of the pillars, inching towards the open terrace windows. Sarah had wandered off and was talking to some middle-aged women who were fussing over her and gushing over her dress, leaving Amy alone. Derby watched as Amy shuffled towards an escape.

  He had to admire her for her sacrifice to attend the party. Derby knew as much as Sarah how much Amy hated social gatherings. She preferred to be on her own with just a few people. This was something Amy didn’t want any part of, but she loved Sarah and had come along to watch her best friend get married. Derby was grateful for that.

  Putting his glass on the tray of a passing footman, Derby walked around the edge of the dancefloor, neatly dodging the people twirling around to the music coming from the orchestra and headed towards Amy. She was very close to the terrace now, almost clinging onto the doorframe. Derby could see how nervous she was, and how fast she was breathing. It was a wonder she hadn’t fainted by now.

  “Miss Hartley.” He bowed to her. “I didn’t realize the evening is so bad that you feel the need to escape it.”

  Amy’s mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. Then her cheeks went rosy red, and she dropped into a wobbling curtsy, bowing her head.

  “My Lord Derby. I didn’t realize you were there.”

  “I noticed.”

  Amy bit her lip. Derby found his eyes straying to her mouth, transfixed. The little curly-haired girl had grown up into a beautiful young woman. Her brown hair was still wavy, clipped into a chignon at the nape of her neck, and her pale skin was clear of any blemishes. And those eyes, sapphire blue in color, never failed to take Derby’s attention. They were stunning, and her petite frame was clad in a dress that matched them.

  He knew he wasn’t the only one who had noticed Amy’s blossoming beauty. Several young men had paid her close attention, but Amy never gave them a glance. For a reason unknown to Derby, he was glad about that.

  Everything went out of the window whenever Amy was in his presence. Not even Katherine had done this to him. Derby missed her, but Katherine had never made him feel over-protective about her, wanting to grab hold of her and never let go.

  “Forgive me for my...well, my behavior.” Amy gulped and glanced around the room. “I’m just trying to keep out of sight of my father.”

  “Is he looking for you again?”

  “I’m afraid so. I saw him talking to the Earl of Bristol just now.” Amy made a face. “And I don’t want to go anywhere near him.”

  Derby couldn’t blame her. Bristol wasn’t the nicest of people. He was a slippery character. Perfect to be in Hartley’s company, but the wrong choice for Amy. Derby pushed this aside. It wasn’t his decision on who Amy married.

  “You can’t stay here,
hugging the wall all evening.”

  “I can give it a good try.”

  Derby couldn’t help but smile.

  “You never struck me as someone easily scared, Miss Hartley.”

  Amy huffed.

  “You sound like Sarah. You know I don’t like social events, my lord. There are too many people, and I feel like I can’t breathe.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m struggling right now.”

  Derby could tell. Amy was still looking flushed, and she was breathing quicker. Her chest was moving faster, and Derby had to try and look anywhere else but at her breasts. That was not something Derby wanted to be caught doing. He cleared his throat.

  “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens.”

  “I know.” Amy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I hate coming to these. No offense to you, my lord, but I do. It’s only because of Sarah that I was able to cope until now. Now she’s gone…”

  She broke off. Derby chuckled.

  “Sarah’s just got married. You’re acting like she’s died instead.”

  “Even so…”

  Amy was getting herself into a state. Derby didn’t know what else he could do. Then he saw Lady Hartley walking around the edge of the ballroom, her eyes fixed on her stepdaughter. Amy hadn’t seen her yet, and Derby knew the two of them would end up in a fiery argument. Even with her social anxieties, Amy had a fire inside her that was fascinating to watch.

  But not tonight. Derby bowed to her and held out a hand.

  “Would you care to dance?”

  “I…”

  Amy was staring at him with wide eyes. Derby gestured over his shoulder and lowered his voice.

  “Lady Hartley’s coming. If you don’t want to become a spectacle, I’ll rescue you. My only reward is a dance with you, and then I’ll take you into the dining hall. You’ll be able to sit there without interruption.”

  Amy closed her eyes, still staring at him.

  “You’re blackmailing me into a dance, my lord?”

  “What can I say? Not even a gentleman is completely honest.”

  Amy hesitated. Then she sighed with a shake of her head and slipped her hand into his.

  “You and Sarah are as bad as each other.”

  Derby didn’t comment. He simply led her towards the dancefloor, where everyone was gathering for another waltz. Amy was looking at anything but at him, finally settling with her eyes firmly fixed on the buttons on his shirt. But, she stepped in close and allowed Derby to put his arms around her, following his steps as they went around the room. For someone who didn’t like to dance or make a spectacle of herself, Amy was light-footed and a fluid dancer. She was like poetry in motion.

  Derby felt a little like a fraud. He hadn’t just wanted to dance with Amy to get her away from her stepmother; he wanted to hold her. Dancing the waltz was the only time he could be this close to her without anyone raising an eyebrow. It was a selfish thought, but Derby didn’t care.

  If only he was able to do more. If only he was daring enough to venture further with their relationship and take her into a more intimate embrace and see how sweet and soft those lips were…

  Derby mentally shook himself. Now was not the time. He needed to take control of himself, or he was going to end up embarrassing both of them.

  The dance came to an end, and everyone stopped to clap for the musicians. Amy was a little flushed, and her eyes were bright. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she had enjoyed the dance. Derby bit back a smile, knowing that he could bring such pleasure to her. He bowed at her.

  “Now, I will hold up my end of the bargain.”

  Holding out his arm, Derby watched as Amy laid her hand on his arm, her long, slim fingers curling around his wrist. He could feel the heat of her palm through her gloves and his sleeves. Swallowing hard, Derby led her off the dancefloor and out of the ballroom, stepping into the dining hall. There were still plenty of people there, sitting at various tables and talking while they ate, but it wasn’t as crowded as the ballroom. Even Derby felt like he could breathe properly.

  Derby walked Amy over to a table in the corner by the window, pulling a chair out for her to sit.

  “Thank you for indulging me, Miss Hartley.” He sat beside her, smoothing his hands on his thighs. “How are you feeling now?”

  “A little better, actually.” Amy fidgeted with the unused napkin on the tabletop. “I didn’t think I would be better after a dance.”

  Derby smiled.

  “I’m glad. You are a lovely dancer.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Amy bit her lip. “I would prefer to be at home, however. I don’t mean any offense,” she hurried on, “It’s just…”

  “I know what you meant. You’re here supporting my sister, and that means a lot to me.”

  “Of course. I’ll always support her.”

  They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the calmer atmosphere. Derby felt like the ringing in his ears had stopped. The musicians Merseyside had organized were very good, but Derby thought a full orchestra was a little too much. A string quartet would have done, but the Marquis had wanted something with a bit more grandeur.

  As they sat together in silence, Derby watched Amy as she stared at the napkin in her hands. She was struggling with something more than her social anxieties. Something else was going on. Derby could tell it was painful for her, and it was pressing on her thoughts.

  “Miss Hartley?”

  Amy jumped, almost knocking over a half-full glass of water. Derby moved it out of reach and turned back to her.

  “Is there something else going on in that head of yours?”

  “I…” Amy’s eyes were round. “What makes you say that?”

  “I don’t know. But there’s something going on.”

  For a moment, Amy didn’t say anything. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him, Derby unable to look away from those beautiful eyes.

  “I don’t know if I can discuss what’s going on, my lord,” Amy said quietly. “But when I do find the courage to discuss my problems, would you mind if I talk to you about it? As a friend of mine?”

  “Of course.” Derby smiled. He reached out and touched her hand. “If you need anything at all, you know where to find me.”

  Amy smiled. It was the first genuine smile Derby had seen on her all evening, and it made his heart stumble.

  “Thank you, Daniel,” Amy whispered. “You are very kind.”

  Derby cleared his throat. The smile had started something intense knotting in his stomach, and his trousers were beginning to feel rather tight. He jumped to his feet, unable to look at her.

  “I’ll get you some food,” he mumbled, “there should be some left.”

  He felt like a fool stumbling away, but Derby could feel the knot easing and his breathing slowing.

  * * *

  Amy could feel her hands getting sweaty as Derby hurried away. Just being this close to him had her stomach feel like she was housing butterflies, and a hot flush took hold. She was sure that she was more flushed in the face, and Amy could only hope that Derby hadn’t noticed.

  The man had no idea what he did to her. Amy had been caught off-guard when she saw her best friend’s older brother for the first time. He had been a bit of a wild child, a mop of blond hair that just wouldn’t stay still, and he always seemed to get himself covered in dirt and leaves. As a child, Derby loved to climb trees and pretend that he was Robin Hood. He loved his stories of great heroes.

  That was how Amy had met him the first time. She had been playing with Sarah in the gardens while their parents sat in the morning room and conversed over cups of tea when Derby had literally dropped from the sky in front of her. Amy had screamed, but then she had caught sight of those smiling brown eyes and irrepressible grin, and Amy couldn’t think of anything else. She had been in a bit of a daze for the rest of the day.

  As they had grown up, they had begun to see ea
ch other less and less. Derby had taken on the role of earl when he was barely nineteen years of age, and he had taken to burying himself into his books to keep everything at the estate on an even keel. His father had been a kind, generous man, but he had been an awful bookkeeper. His estate hadn’t been in good shape by the time he died, and Derby had spent the better part of two years getting it to how it was currently.