Chapter Seven

A llegra felt flush from her triumph at archery, not because she beat all the other ladies who were participating.

But because she wanted to show off for Lord Carroll.

She knew it was wrong to be attracted to him. She had even questioned Aunt Dinah as to why the earl had even been invited to this house party. Rakes weren't known for commitment and betrothals. Allegra had thought the invitation a waste and that a better candidate should have been invited.

Her aunt had surprised her, though, telling Allegra that she believed there to be good within Lord Carroll and perhaps he wasn't the wicked man Polite Society's gossips made him out to be.

Could that possibly be true?

With Aunt Dinah having been a duchess for almost two decades, she had moved freely through the ton . Her aunt was also an excellent judge of character. If she saw potential in Lord Carroll, it was there. Did that make him good husband material for her, though?

Allegra supposed she needed to find out.

He had asked her for a second chance. Instead of listening to the gossip, which Aunt Dinah had said for years often proved to be untrue, as well as unkind, Allegra would set out to do what this house party was for and get to know the Earl of Carroll a bit better. She wouldn't kiss him again. His kisses clouded her judgment. No, she would refuse any kiss and try to find out more about him. If he were willing to do so and get to know her better in return, they might possibly have a future together.

She entered the drawing room alone. Lyric had been fussing with her hair and wasn't pleased with any of her efforts. She had encouraged Allegra to go downstairs without her. Now, as her eyes scanned the room, she saw disappointment on Lord Blankenship's face.

He crossed toward her as she accepted wine from a footman.

"Is anything wrong with Miss Lyric? Is she ill? Does she have a headache?" he asked worriedly.

"No, my lord. She was merely taking too long to get ready. Primping for someone special, I suppose," she said, seeing if she might draw a reaction from him.

He flushed, and she knew he had feelings for her twin.

"She will be here soon," she reassured the viscount. "After all, the two of us are to play this evening for our guests." Taking a sip of the wine, she continued, "Might you have feelings for my sister, Lord Blankenship?"

"I most definitely do, Miss Allegra," he said fervently.

When he did not elaborate, she asked, "The kind that lead to an offer of marriage?"

"Yes. That kind," he said, glancing toward the door again.

Oh, Lyric was going to be so pleased. Allegra planned to prepare her sister for when the viscount offered for her. She thought him quite a decent fellow.

"Do you have an idea when you might make your offer?"

This time, he looked her in the eyes. "That is between the two of us, Miss Allegra. Please, do not spoil things. I promise you that it will be soon."

"I can only hold a secret for so long," she teased.

"And I can only keep from asking for her hand for so long," he glibly replied.

"Touché, my lord," she said, laughing. "I promise I will say nothing to Lyric tonight."

"Thank you. There she is," he said. "Excuse me."

Allegra watched him head toward her twin. She would enjoy having Lord Blankenship as a brother. She already felt sisterly toward him.

The exact opposite of her feelings toward Lord Carroll.

She joined Lord Motley, Miss Markle, and Lady Lida. She was seeing the earl and Lady Lida together more and more and wondered if a betrothal between them might occur before the house party ended. She was certain Lord Tillings would ask for Miss Bancroft's hand, knowing Georgie would be pleased that her friend became engaged while at Shadowcrest. She hoped a letter from Georgie would arrive soon, letting them know when she and August would be returning from Scotland. Allegra had a feeling her sister would be increasing when she arrived back in England from her extended honeymoon.

Lord Carroll joined them, claiming a drink from the footman. His dark brown hair had been tamed somewhat, but those hazel eyes seemed to continually change color according to his mood. Physically, everything about him appealed to her. He was about six feet, with an athletic frame, his muscles in all the right places, shown off by the fit of his superfine coat and tight breeches. She looked at his sensual lips, remembered how they felt on hers, and found a blush start to heat her cheeks.

Quickly, she took a sip of her wine, hoping it would cool her. Their gazes met, and he smiled, as if he knew exactly what she had been thinking. Most likely, he had been thinking the same thing. Didn't men who were rakes always think of kissing—and other sensual pleasures?

Allegra had no idea what those involved. Aunt Dinah had told all the girls that when they were betrothed, she would share with them a little of what occurred in the bedroom. Whatever it was, Pippa and Georgie positively glowed with love for their new husbands. Pippa and Seth had been off quickly on their world tour, else Allegra would have asked her cousin about the mysteries of the marriage bed. The same occurred with Georgie. She and August had left Shadowcrest in a rush, going to spend a few nights at August's country estate, Edgefield, before heading for Dalmara in Scotland.

But Allegra also knew not all women experienced love with their husbands, nor did they wear the glow that Sophie had before conceiving, one which had grown in magnitude since she had announced she was increasing. Aunt Dinah was a perfect example of that. She had been made to wed the Duke of Seaton at ten and seven. Though they lived in the same house, Allegra had rarely seen the couple together, much less conversing. Yet Aunt Dinah had done her duty as a wife and spent three, long years nursing her ill husband before his death.

Thank goodness Captain Andrews had appeared in her life. Aunt Dinah practically sparkled like the stars now that she had wed her sea captain. Allegra wanted that. She wanted to love and be loved.

Or would it be enough if she merely enjoyed bed sport with her husband? Did she have to be in love to be happy?

When the butler announced that dinner was ready, Lord Carroll immediately claimed her arm, escorting her into the dining room. The entire way, Allegra's heart pounded as if she had just run an extremely long race. She wished she could think straight around the man, but found it literally impossible.

She found tonight was the night they had been placed together at dinner. Miss Markle was on her right, but she only saw the back of her head because she was engaged in conversation with Lord Motley. That left Allegra the entire time with Lord Carroll.

"You performed even better than I expected at archery today, Allegra."

"You should call me Miss Allegra, my lord."

He glanced around. "No one is listening. You could call me Sterling, you know."

"That is your given name?"

"Yes. Apparently, it was the only thing my mother got out of the marriage to my father. Her father was named Sterling. I overheard our housekeeper telling the story one time to the cook. She said Mother shrieked at the top of her lungs that if she were going to carry a babe for almost a year and ruin her figure over it, the infant would be named what she wanted. It seems that my father agreed. He merely wanted an heir. Sometimes, I think he couldn't even remember my name."

"I am sorry your childhood was so difficult," she said, her tone sympathetic.

"Actually, it was quite nice. It wasn't gloomy in the slightest. My parents were never at Carrollwood, which turned out to be a blessing. The servants were more relaxed and happier caring for the house when they were gone. I was able to roam freely and do whatever I wanted."

He smiled, and she caught a glimpse of the mischievous boy he had been.

"I was a handful, but I was never mean or spiteful. Merely high-spirited, as one tutor called me."

"Tell me more."

"Carrollwood is in East Sussex. The estate is large. If the weather was pleasant, I was outside. I couldn't abide being cooped up in the house."

He told her about wading in the stream, catching frogs with his hands and fish with his rod. The head footman had taught him how to fish. The head groom had given him riding lessons. He talked of climbing trees and learning how to patch fences and shape iron, thanks to the local blacksmith.

"The nearest village is only two miles away. I would walk there many a day and visit with the shopkeepers. I even ran errands for some of them. The baker would have me take items back to Carrollwood with me. The haberdasher taught me quite a bit about numbers and how to record sales in a ledger. I suppose you could say the entire village had a hand in raising me, along with the Carrollwood servants."

He told several more amusing stories throughout the meal, and she found herself laughing aloud several times. He had a way about him, an easy manner that put others at ease. Allegra wondered if it might be because he was always trying to win the affection of those around him since he received none from his parents.

The ladies left for the drawing room, and she and Lyric went to collect their sheet music from the music room. They decided between them who would play which piece and even sat and played one each to warm up their fingers. They agreed two songs apiece was plenty, and then Allegra would play the final number, but they both would sing.

By the time they returned to the drawing room, the men were arriving. Lyric had asked if she might play first, and Allegra readily agreed. She noticed as her twin set out her sheet music, Lord Blankenship joined her. Most likely, he was offering to turn the pages.

"Will you play or also sing?" Lord Carroll asked, coming to stand next to her.

"We should sit," she said, taking a seat on the nearest settee. "I will do both this evening."

"I see Blankenship is assisting Miss Lyric. Might I perform the same service for you?"

"I have my pieces memorized. So does Lyric, but she gets nervous sometimes and likes to have the music before her, in case she stumbles."

"You are too confident to stumble," he declared. "But I will go and stand beside you anyway so no other gentleman claims the post."

"You are not asking," she noted. "You are telling me."

"Yes, I suppose I am." He gazed at her longingly. "I do not want any other man present to be close to you, Allegra."

She liked how he was bold enough to tell her this. Her first impression of him had been a false one. The more time she spent around the earl, the better she liked him. Allegra thought of the amusing stories he had told her during dinner, which had kept her laughing. He had a way about him, an easy manner that put others at ease when in his company. It made her wonder if he did so because he was always trying to win the affection of those around him since he had received none from his parents.

Suddenly, things were crystal clear to her. Allegra realized that she had already made up her mind. She wanted Lord Carroll—and no other—as her husband. She would play no more games.

"May I turn the pages to your music?" he asked.

"You may," she agreed, secretly pleased that he did ask to do so.

Lyric performed the numbers she had selected, and Allegra replaced her at the pianoforte, Lord Carroll joining her. When the other three ladies had performed, they had all played from memory, no doubt practicing many hours in order to be able to do so. She still thought she and her twin did a better job, however.

"You may sit," she told Lord Carroll. "Lyric and I are going to perform together now."

Her sister joined her as the earl took a seat nearby. They harmonized beautifully together, Lyric singing soprano, while Allegra took the alto part. The guests applauded thunderously when they finished, causing her to beam. Lord Carroll caught her eye and mouthed, "Bravo."

"Perhaps more of you would like to sing along," Aunt Dinah suggested. "Allegra, would you continue to play? Gather around if you enjoy singing."

Suddenly, she was surrounded by all their guests except for the chaperones, who looked on indulgently. She played several folk songs, the entire group joining in. It was easy to distinguish Lady Lida's voice because she clearly was the most talented with her high, sweet soprano. Allegra even suggested Lady Lida sing a ballad alone and accompanied her.

They finished with "The British Grenadiers." It was obvious that Lord Blankenship had the best voice of the men, and as the final verse began, the others fell silent. In his rich tenor, the viscount sang:

Then let us fill a bumper, and drink a health of those

Who carry caps and pouches, and wear the loopèd clothes.

May they and their commanders live happy all their years.

With a row, row, row, row, row, row, for the British Grenadiers.

Allegra finished with a flourish up and down the keys, and everyone clapped.

"You have an excellent voice, my lord," James complimented from where he sat next to Sophie. "I might have to teach you a few songs you aren't familiar with."

"No!" said the duchess, turning red at the suggestion. "My husband knows several songs sung by sailors. He has even taught some of them to the girls. They are not fit for guests, however."

Lord Carroll leaned down and said in her ear, "You will have to teach me some of these."

Thinking of the lyrics that James and Captain Andrews sang, she vigorously shook her head. "I think not, my lord. Those lyrics should stay within the family."

He gazed at her intently, and she grew hot all over. If she wed him, he would be family.

But that was a big if . She couldn't get ahead of herself. While she might have made up her mind, she did not know if he were serious about her. A rake could utter tender words, but the earl would have to prove to her that he had truly changed. If he had, she believed he would ask for her hand in marriage.

"I think I might persuade you to share a bit of the lyrics with me later, Miss Allegra."

The chaperones decided to make their way to bed as couples began splitting up. She heard Lyric say something about cooling down with a stroll in the gardens, and her twin left with Lord Blankenship. Other couples disappeared, one by one, until she and Lord Carroll had the drawing room to themselves.

He took her hand, threading his fingers through hers, and led her to the far corner. The area was not lit, and he took a seat in a wing chair, pulling her into his lap.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, toppling into him, feeling the hard muscles of his chest.

"I like the feel of you against me, Allegra," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

She peered at him, his face covered in the shadows. Swallowing, she said, "I will not be seduced, my lord." Her words seemed weak and ineffectual.

"I promise not to seduce you. But I want you to make a choice." He paused. "Choose me, Allegra. Choose us."

"How?" she asked. "I am so confused. What do you want of me?"

He chuckled, low. His hands came up, cradling her face. "I want you to willingly take a leap into the unknown. Let me show you what pleasure is."

Oh, this earl certainly tempted her.

When she didn't reply, he added, "I know exactly what to do to make you mine. A few kisses. A few caresses. I can have you writhing in my arms."

"But?" she asked.

"I do not want to touch you if you are unwilling. I want you to want me. As much as I want you. Please, Allegra. Let me show you what can exist between a man and a woman. I promise I will not steal your virginity. I will merely let you sample what it could be like if you agreed to wed me."

She sucked in a quick breath. "You are... offering for me?"

"Yes." His thumbs caressed her cheeks. "I can think of no other woman I would wish to make my wife. But you are the one who decides your fate—and mine. I want to kiss you. Touch you intimately. No one is here. No one will ever know what passes between us. When we are done, you will have all the control. You can seek pleasure—even marriage—with another man.

"Or you can become my countess."

He had not mentioned love. Allegra wanted to press him on that, but her natural curiosity won out. No man had ever moved her—or infuriated her—more than Lord Carroll.

Sterling . . .

"I do want to learn from you," she admitted.

"I am not asking for any promises from you now. You will be free to decide if you still would like a future with me. Just give me a few minutes to convince you we belong together."

Allegra gazed at him, catching a gleam in his eyes, the rest of his face hidden in shadow.

"Yes. Take as long as you need, Sterling."

His fingers stilled. "Thank you," he said softly, touching his lips to hers.