Page 21 of Sleeping with the Earl

Heat crept into my cheeks. For a moment, I allowed myself to picture that fantasy. Greyson and me married, my belly round with his child. I knew that women older than me gave birth, but I couldn’t allow myself to hope for such a future. Greyson had never given me any indication that he considered our acquaintance to be anything other than what it already was.

I sighed. “I am far too practical to begin believing in fairy tales.”

She squeezed my hand before releasing it. “All I’m asking is that you keep your heart open to the possibility.”

I didn’t reply, but I couldn’t deny there was a part of me that wanted to believe such a thing was possible. I liked Greyson very much. And at times, the way he looked at me caused my pulse to leap. It would be very easy to fall under his spell.

I glanced out the window and was surprised we weren’t headed toward the school, where I’d expected to speak to Greyson. “Where are we going?”

Her smile hinted at something mysterious. “I’m taking you home with me. Greyson is waiting for you there. We have something of a proposition for you.”

I couldn’t help wondering what she had in mind, but from the look on her face, it was clear she wouldn’t reveal her secrets until she was ready.

“That presupposes I’ll be in a position to help you. I wouldn’t be surprised if my stepmother ties me up and throws me into the carriage on Friday.”

Caroline laughed. “Is it bad that part of me hopes that happens? I want to watch Greyson mount a rescue.”

She clearly had a mistaken impression of my importance in Greyson’s life. But I didn’t want to dwell on the depressing notion he’d just shrug and find someone else with whom he could conduct a pretend courtship.

The Kendricks’ townhouse was in Mayfair, of course. The house wasn’t as large as some of the others, but it was more impressive than my family’s London home. It was an undeniable testament that the speculation about the Legends’ wealth was true.

I followed Caroline into the empty drawing room of her house. Disappointment filled me at not finding Greyson already waiting.

Caroline turned to the footman. “Can you let my husband and Lord Greyson know that we’ve arrived?”

Within moments, the men joined us. I tried not to stare at Greyson, but for some reason, whenever I saw him I was struck anew by his good looks. It was almost annoying. I wasn’t normally so taken by appearances, but together, he and Lord Kendrick were enough to take away even a sensible woman’s breath. I tried to imagine Georgiana standing here in my place, and my mind conjured an image of my sister fanning herself and fainting.

“Is something funny?” Greyson asked as he dropped onto the settee next to me.

I shook my head. “No, nothing at all. I was just thinking about how annoyed my family would be if they knew I was here right now and that you were here as well.”

He shrugged. “I probably should have come to see you, but your sister is a little… exuberant for my taste.”

I winced. “Yes, she probably would have pretended to trip, hoping you’d catch her. I don’t think she’s quite so forward as to just sit in your lap and demand you pay attention to her.”

Greyson grimaced. “She wouldn’t be the first one.”

I wasn’t surprised. “Well, you don’t need to worry about that with me,” I said primly.

One corner of his mouth lifted as though he took my words as a challenge. The terrifying reality was that it wouldn’t take much effort on his part to convince me to do just that.

“Careful there, Grey.” Kendrick’s voice boomed from the doorway, and I realized he and Caroline had been watching us.

Greyson shrugged. “I’m in good hands with Claire. She has no designs on me.”

I forced myself to look away from Greyson and smiled widely. “He’s going to have to work a little harder to prove himself worthy of my attention.”

Everyone laughed.

“So why are we here?” I asked, looking at Greyson again. “Does this have anything to do with our meeting yesterday with Mr. Tomlinson? Has he provided you with a list of boarding houses?”

Greyson shook his head. “The three of us were discussing your situation since I don’t think that would be in your best interest. It’s too transitory. Your income is sufficiently large enough to afford the rental of a small house. You could also hire a small staff.”

I raised a brow. “You seem to have everything settled. Do you also know where I’ll be living?”

“Of course not,” he said. “I would never impose in such a way.”

“But…?”