Charming the Elusive Earl (Charmed By Chance #2)

Chapter 13

13

J ane was swept off her feet. And not metaphorically.

One moment she was taking the biggest leap of her life by initiating a kiss with her fiancé and the next?—

She gasped as his arms closed around her waist and her feet left the ground.

He stilled, pulling back enough to look at her. “I’m sorry, did I frighten you or?—”

She very rudely cut him off with another kiss. This one was more urgent as she tried to reclaim that blissful coiling sensation that warmed her all the way through.

It did more than that, honestly.

As he tilted his head and moved his mouth over hers, exploring and tasting–it wasn’t just warmth that spread through her veins.

It was something sweet and delicious.

It was a sense of connection. Affection. It made her heart race and her chest feel too small. The way he kissed her so gently but with such fierce intensity…

It made tears sting the back of her eyes, and told her things that words could not say.

Her hands clung to his shoulders, but his grip was so tight, she was in no danger of falling.

So why, then, did she feel as if the world was turning upside down?

His lips grew insistent and she parted for him, her mind going blessedly blank as he took command of the kiss.

Without the ever present fears and worries, her world came down to this moment. To the feel of his strong arms holding her tightly, of his chest pressed against hers, keeping her warm, and the feel of his lips on hers telling her…

Well, she wouldn’t dare put words to it.

All she could do was revel in how it made her feel.

And that was…adored. It made her feel wanted.

Desired, yes, but more than that.

Her heart was cracking open in the most terrifying and delicious way.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket. It was soaked through. As was she. Her gown was heavy from the water and it only added to the weighted feeling in her limbs as she clung to him, aching in ways she didn’t understand.

When his tongue swept over her lower lip, a surge of heat rippled through her and made her tremble.

He broke off the kiss and gazed down at her with those dark, fathomless eyes.

Had she ever truly thought them cold?

They burned like a bonfire now as his gaze raked over her.

“You’re cold,” he said.

She was most definitely not cold. But that kiss had rendered her speechless, and before she could argue, he’d adjusted his hold, so she was scooped up in his arms like she was some princess being rescued…and as if she and her soaked gown weighed no more than a feather.

“I ought to take you back.” His expression echoed her regret. “You’ll grow cold.”

How could she possibly be cold when her whole body was on fire?

“And it would not do if we were caught out here together.”

She felt herself starting to pout, and she truly wanted to argue. They were to be married. Being caught alone was rather expected, was it not? But then he added?—

“I meant what I said about giving you a choice when your father returns. I won’t take that away from you, Jane. I swear it.”

She began to tremble in earnest then and his grip on her tightened so she was crushed against his chest. She tucked her head under his chin so he couldn’t see that her shivering was only in part due to the chill that was starting to set in.

He set her down near the back door, just outside of anyone’s view. He glanced warily toward the door. “Will you be all right from here?”

She nodded quickly. “The servants are used to me doing odd things.”

One eyebrow quirked and the look of delight in his eyes made her heart do a backflip. “Is that so? I hope next time we meet you’ll tell me more about that.”

He lifted her hand to his lips but held her gaze. “I will be back, Jane. Unless you tell me you do not wish to see me.”

“I…” Oh drat. What was she supposed to say? “I would like that.”

His smiles were so rare, and this was one she’d never seen before. This smile made the corner of his eyes crinkle, and it stole her breath and made her heart soar to know that she’d brought it out in him.

He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Then I shall see you soon, Jane.”

She nodded, unable to speak, and moments later she slipped inside, painfully aware that he was still watching her. It wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind her that she let out a shaky exhale and slumped back against the wall.

“My lady, are you all right?” It was Charlotte, one of the girls who worked in the kitchen. She was eyeing her with wide-eyed concern.

All right? No. Definitely not. But she forced a nod so the girl would stop staring at her like she was.

But she wasn’t all right. Surely she’d hit her head or had succumbed to a fever. There was no other explanation for the way her heart was galloping and her lips still tingled.

Most of all, she could not be well because she could not have just danced in the rain with the stodgy, upright Lord Marlin.

And all because she’d said she’d wanted to on a whim.

She pressed a hand to her lips to stifle a laugh, but her chest was swelling with emotions she couldn’t name and definitely couldn’t restrain.

Mrs. Harwich took one look at her and sighed with weary resignation. Then she turned to Charlotte. “Draw Lady Jane a bath, won’t you?”

“Yes, miss,” Charlotte said.

The girl ran off and Jane followed after, her head dipped low as if in shame. But really, she was doing her best to hide a smile.

* * *

“What do you mean he asked you to dance?” Felicity was staring at her like she’d grown a second head.

“Dancing in the rain,” Ann murmured. “Weren’t you cold?”

Jane dipped her head, pressing her lips together as she gazed down at her untouched tea.

Felicity had invited them all over for tea, but tea with these girls meant talking and laughing. Typically not much tea was actually consumed. And today was no exception. Everyone had forgotten about their beverages the moment Jane had begun her tale.

They’d waited patiently whenever she was overcome by their undivided attention, but at long last the whole story had been told.

And truth be told, while Jane didn’t love being the center of attention…

She found she rather adored being able to shock them so.

“Of course she wasn’t cold,” Meg was chiding Ann. “She had the Earl to keep her warm.” She shot Jane a mischievous look. “Did you not, Jane?”

Jane felt the blush in her cheeks, but returned Meg’s smile as she nodded.

“See?” Meg looked to the other two in triumph before falling back against the settee with a melodramatic sigh. “I, for one, think it’s divinely romantic.”

“I think it’s rather silly,” Ann said. But she sounded apologetic as she added, “But it seems I know little about such things.”

Jane shared a quick look with Meg, and then Meg leaned forward to reassure their friend. “There’s nothing wrong with not being a romantic, Ann. You know that, right?”

“Yes, of course, it’s just…” She nibbled on her lower lip. “If I…w-want…” She stumbled a bit and tried again, slower this time. “What if I want a gentleman to see me as…” She wet her lips. “As a woman. Not as a friend or little sister or…or...”

Ann frowned in frustration, and this time Felicity, Meg, and Jane all shared worried looks. But Ann shrugged and gave them a quick smile. “Nevermind. I’m being silly.”

Jane leaned forward. “Ann, is there someone in particular?—”

“No,” Ann said quickly. “And besides, this afternoon is not about me. Your relationship with Lord Marlin has undergone a most amazing evolution and I insist you tell us everything. I feel as though we must have missed something, so please, tell us the whole story. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Jane hesitated but when Felicity gave her an encouraging nod, Jane shrugged. “Well, it’s possible I didn’t mention everything that happened at the ball the other night…”

By the time she was done telling them how she’d threatened to end her engagement, which really gave the other story much more context, all three of her friends were gaping at her.

Felicity broke the silence with a reverent tone. “You are my hero.”

Jane started to giggle and the others followed suit until all four of them were doubled over laughing.

There was humor there, yes, but above all else was disbelief.

Even from Jane.

“I cannot believe you did that!” Ann swiped at her eyes. “You risked everything.”

Jane lifted a shoulder. “I still do. I meant what I said. If I must live a lonely life, I’d rather do it…well, alone . And on my terms.”

Felicity shook her head. “So you’ll really go through with it.”

Jane meant to say yes straight away, but memories of Marlin’s kiss surfaced, followed by that smile. That smile that had felt like a precious gift, and one meant just for her.

And so, she said slowly, “I will, if I still feel I must.”

Meg’s smile was small and knowing. “Clearly Marlin is more attached to you than any of us realized.”

Jane dipped her head. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or hope that made her pulse skitter and her belly flip.

No, that wasn’t true. Before they’d danced together it might have been a toss up between fear and hope. But now…

It was hope all right.

And that was terrifying.