An Unexpected Countess. Laurie Benson
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hated when she found ways to use his habit of bragging against him. While she might believe she had the upper hand, it hadn’t escaped Hart’s notice that she had avoided his question.
‘And what brings you to this rooftop? You never did say.’
She shifted her gaze momentarily. ‘I’m intrigued by architecture.’
‘Architecture?’
‘Yes, you see I came out here to study the carvings on the buildings across the way.’
‘But you don’t live here.’
‘Of course I don’t. What good would it do me to study the buildings across from my home when I already took note of them ages ago?’
‘Is that really the best you could do?’
* * *
Sarah was not about to be found out by the likes of the Earl of Hartwick. No rakish buck was going to best her. She wasn’t one of those empty-headed women who would throw themselves at his feet just because he was charming and handsome—very handsome. And every time she was around him, she had the strongest urge to remind him of that.
‘Those houses across the way are a perfect example of Mr Kent’s work,’ she continued. ‘I couldn’t very well stand on this rooftop during daylight hours. Someone might see me.’ She had no idea what Mr Kent’s work looked like, but she knew he was an architect held in high regard.
‘William Kent?’ Hartwick shook his head and water droplets slid from his hair down his chiselled features.
Hoping to distract him, she brushed off her sopping wet trews.
His gaze shot to her thighs and remained there. ‘So you chose a rainy, dark night for your viewing pleasure?’
‘The opportunity presented itself and I took it. It wasn’t raining when I made my way here.’
‘I see. And how did you manage to sneak away from your parents for this escapade of architectural appreciation?’
He needed more of a distraction and rubbing her hand slowly along her thigh proved to be a good one. But all too soon Hartwick tossed his head, sweeping away a lock of black hair from his piercing blue eyes. ‘Your parents, Miss Forrester, how did you manage to elude them?’
Lud! He was like a dog with a bone. ‘I don’t see how it is your concern.’
‘True. Your welfare is none of my concern. I was merely making conversation—one impressive night prowler to the next.’
‘You can’t charm an answer from me.’
‘I wasn’t aware I was being charming. We’re merely conversing.’
‘You’re trying to flatter me.’
‘By calling you an impressive prowler? Darling, if I intended to flatter you, I would tell you how tempting you look in those trews.’
‘Thank you for the compliment, but I still have no intention of telling you anything.’
‘You misunderstand. I didn’t say you looked tempting. I only indicated that is what I would say if I were going to flatter you.’
Insufferable man! If only she could give him a firm push. But with her luck he would land on his back and see it as an invitation to activities he was most familiar with—or so she had heard. Standing up, she wiped her hands. ‘Well, I really must be off.’
He jumped to his feet. ‘What are you really doing up here?’
‘I told you. I was admiring the architecture.’
‘And I’m next in line for the throne.’ He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. ‘Are you coming from a rendezvous with a man?’
The horror on his face was rich considering his philandering ways, but if it would get him to stop asking questions, there was no harm in a small lie. ‘Perhaps.’ Gossip was rich with tales of his escapades with women. She doubted he would be one to talk of a small indiscretion of hers or even find her significant enough to discuss at all.
‘Perhaps? Perhaps? What kind of man leaves a woman to find her way out of an assignation by herself? Any man worth his salt would visit the lady, not the other way around.’
‘I live with my parents,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘And you seem more appalled by my exit than at the assignation itself.’
‘I’m the last person to judge anyone’s moral character.’ As if counting out the town houses they were standing on, his finger paused on the building under them. ‘Miss Forrester, he is old enough to be your father.’ He visibly shuddered. ‘I always assumed you had finer taste than this.’
She pushed past him, splashing through puddles on her way to the vacant town house at the end of the row. There was no reason for him to be insulting. Lord Baxter was not as handsome as Hartwick, and about twenty years older than the Earl, but he was not an antidote by any means. He was...mature. And why did she feel the need to mentally defend a man she was barely acquainted with? Her hands curled into fists.
Hartwick went after her and grabbed her arm. ‘Where do you think you’re off to?’
‘I’m leaving. I’ve been up here long enough.’
His brow wrinkled. ‘How do you propose we get down?’
‘We are not getting down. You stated you had a multitude of solutions of your own. I’m finding my own way down.’
‘Don’t you enjoy my company?’
‘Not particularly.’
He gave her a devilish grin. ‘Now I know you are lying.’
‘Women can resist you, Hartwick.’
He laughed. ‘There aren’t many.’
‘Well, I can,’ she stated firmly. ‘Now, do release my arm. I have places to be.’
‘Very well, go your own way. I’ll go mine. But you do take the pleasure out of an evening such as this.’ He granted her a slow, exaggerated bow.
She was fun to be with. He just thought too highly of himself to appreciate her. That was the problem. She made her way to one of the back dormer windows and carefully edged along the thin strip of roofing in front of it. She was paused precariously on the edge and her hands began to tremble. One false move and she could tumble backwards off the roof, splattering on the terrace below. Would she have a better chance of living if she aimed for the shrubbery? How much blood did one body contain?
‘What are you waiting for?’
She jerked back and Hartwick grabbed her, pressing her cheek into a cold, wet windowpane. Her heart almost beat out of her chest.
‘Stop doing that!’
He let go of her. ‘If you plan to skulk about in the future, you need to pay better attention to your surroundings.’
‘I told you to find your own way down.’
‘I was, then I saw you mumbling at the window and decided you needed my assistance.’
‘I can do this myself.’
She went to push the bottom sash of the window up, but it wouldn’t budge. He went to have a go at it and she swatted his hand away. ‘I said. I. Can. Do. It. Myself!’
He held his hands up. A few leftover raindrops trickled down the brim of her hat. If he did anything to make her fall backwards off this roof, she was pulling him along with her. The pounding of her heart in her ears was so loud she didn’t hear the creak of the window as she finally nudged the stubborn sash up. Letting out a breath of relief, she closed her eyes.
‘You should make certain no one is about before you enter that room. Unless you would like me to use the charms you say I possess to enchant any maids that might be