An Unexpected Earl (Lords of the Armory #2) - Anna Harrington Page 0,28
and bound to the street before he could stop her.
She had to get away. Now, before he could see her own surprise at the things he’d been asking about—or her desperation to keep them hidden. Or worse, how the affection and attraction she’d felt toward him when they were younger now bubbled inside her again.
Something else ached inside her, too. Something hotter… He’d always been charming and dashing, even all those years ago when he’d been on the brink of manhood. But the passing years had made him broad and tall and oh so very solid, put lines of experience at the corners of his eyes and mouth, placed depth behind the mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Now he was simply breathtaking.
He caught her before she reached the front portico, taking her elbow to keep her from running away. The touch was meant only to slow her, yet it sparked an electric heat all the way down to her toes.
She rolled her stinging eyes in frustration. Damn him for reappearing in her life right now, when everything was such a mess that she couldn’t give him the setdown he deserved for ambushing her in the carriage. Damn him for not answering her letters, for never once attempting to contact her in all the years they’d been apart.
And damn herself for remembering how wonderful it had been to be with him.
She moved her arm to pull free, but he held firm. She couldn’t yank herself away without causing a scene in the busy street, in front of her own house, no less, with all of her neighbors and their servants watching. He gave her no choice but to let him escort her to the door.
“I am not your enemy,” he half growled under his breath.
“You are certainly not my salvation,” she countered. No matter what Frederick thought.
“Well then.” He leaned down, bringing his mouth close enough to her ear that his breath fanned across her cheek. Close enough that she could feel the knowing smile of his lips. “Good thing we’re in hell together.”
Her head snapped up. “We are not togeth—”
“Because I’ve been here before,” he said enigmatically, ignoring the perplexed look she gave him as he turned his gaze solemnly up at the town house and rapped the brass knocker. “And I can show you the way out.”
She blinked hard, her lips parting as she stared at him. Dear God, if only that were true!
“So tell me, Amelia, and no dissembling this time,” he murmured, keeping his gaze straight ahead on the door. “Exactly what kind of trouble are you in?”
Her heart lurched. For one desperate moment, she wanted to confess everything about Frederick and the trust and the blackmail—
Drummond opened the door.
Thank God.
She darted past the butler and into the house, heading straight for the stair hall. Sweet escape. Finally. The weight lifted from her shoulders, and she heaved out a breath of relief so large that it pulled all the way through her.
Only for cold dread to slither back up her spine when she heard Pearce’s deep voice. “Is Mr. Howard at home? I’m here to call on him.”
She spun around, her mouth falling open. Pearce stood inside the entry as if he belonged there, removing his hat and gloves and handing them all over to Drummond. Oh, that devil’s audacity!
“Brandon Pearce, Brigadier,” he announced with the confident air of the battle-hardened soldier he was. “Earl of Sandhurst.”
Drummond sketched a bow. “Of course, your lordship.” He gestured toward the stairs and the formal drawing room above. “If you would wait—”
“No,” Amelia interrupted. Oh no, no, no! Letting him into her home—back into her life—was the very last thing she should do. Too many secrets could be revealed, so much could be destroyed… She hurried back to him, gesturing at Drummond to remain right where he was. “We are not accepting visitors today.”
“Is that true?” Pearce asked the butler, who glanced in confusion between the two of them, not knowing whose orders to follow. “Perhaps you should ask Mr. Howard himself.” He smiled confidently. “Tell him that Sandhurst is here to discuss turnpikes.”
He blinked, confused. “Sir?”
“Turnpikes,” Pearce repeated deliberately, slipping out of his greatcoat and tossing it over the butler’s arm. “I’ll wait here.”
With a stilted nod and a wary glance at Amelia, Drummond quickly disappeared into the house toward the study. There was nothing she could do to stop him from announcing Pearce’s arrival to her brother.
Panic twisted down her spine. “What do you think you’re doing?”