Chapter 1

Ten Years Later

"Aren't you nervous?" William asked as they rode across the undulating green hills toward Winterheath. "I'd be shaking in my boots taking over an estate I'd never seen."

Maxim chuckled. "I have seen it," he said. "It just so happened to be when I was a young boy. Uncle Gideon spent more time in London than we spent here, though even that stopped in recent years. Too old for the travel, he said. And no, I'm not nervous. A little uncertain, I suppose, but mostly, I'm curious."

At seven-and-twenty years of age, Maxim Steele had just become the newest Earl of Kingsbury, his dear uncle having passed without producing an heir. He scratched the scar on his chin, a permanent reminder of a riding accident—and a time of his life he would rather forget. He thought the scar added a certain charm to his looks, though, a little mystery perhaps.

He was handsome, he knew that. He took great care over the waves of his blond hair, the color of molten gold. He was tall and slim, and he carried himself well, knowing the ladies of the ton were attracted to his warm, almost caramel skin and the mischievous twinkle in his chocolate-brown eyes. And that, he had realized of late, was half his problem. If he weren't so damned attractive, he'd be far less likely to get himself into trouble.

But the trouble I find myself in is so very enjoyable.

He shook away the thought, looking out across the countryside. He'd fallen in love with women when he was barely out of shorts, and his lustful mind had led him into sinful acts more than once. He raised his face to the cool air as his dappled gray mare trotted over the brow of the hill, and the house came into view.

It was magnificent, just as Maxim knew it would be. His uncle Gideon had been fastidiously house-proud, and the sprawling manor with gardens to match inspired awe in even the most disinterested of people.

"Good Lord," William declared, taking in the view. "It's not quite your apartment in Grosvenor Square, is it?"

"No," Maxim muttered. "It's so much better than that."

William nodded, the horses slowing as they absorbed the enormity of what was happening. "She's a beauty; there's no denying that. I wonder what awaits you inside."

Indeed.

He had mused on it since hearing the news of Gideon's death. He'd inherited the title, yes, along with the wealth and the investments that came with it. What he hadn't expected, though, was that he would become legal guardian to the three young people under Gideon's charge—not his own children, but those of a friend who had died many years earlier. Maxim would become their third guardian in such a short lifetime.

"Do you know much about them?" William asked, as if reading his mind.

"Not a lot, I must admit."

They'd stopped just at the top of the hill as if by silent consent. In the distance, Maxim could make out a busy gardener toiling away at the soil. Gideon's legacy would live on through many hands, he realized, and he was grateful for that. It deserved to live on; he'd been a good man—honest, reliable, hardworking.

Maxim found himself excited about his new life and curious to meet his new charges. He hadn't thought much of fatherhood, nor even marriage. It seemed such a heavy burden when compared to the way he had amused himself until now, with loose women and loose morals.

Yet, here, it seemed he had a ready-made family, and that idea had warmed his heart. As he looked at the estate that was now in his name alone, he knew it was time to step into his uncle's shoes and become the man he knew he could be, not the rake he had been.

"There are three of them," he explained. "That much I know. The eldest, I believe, is named Theo, and he has been running the estate until now. I have no idea how old he is, though, nor why he was not handed the title himself. Perhaps Uncle Gideon didn't think him worthy of becoming heir."

"Ah, there's nothing quite like a mystery to keep the mind alert," William teased. "What of the other two?"

"Girls, I believe, and not quite of age."

"That's good." William let out a laugh. "If they're so young, you won't be tempted to get yourself embroiled in another scandal. I know what you're like when there's a pretty face around."

"All right," Maxim said, affronted. "I thought we'd agreed not to talk about it."

William laughed again. "No, dear friend, you agreed to not talk about it. I agreed to no such thing!"

"Then agree now," Maxim commanded.

"Why, no, I won't. Where would the fun in that be?" He snorted, shaking his head. "Either way, I'd wager you're going to have your hands full over the coming months."

Maxim threw William a wry smile. "I'm rather inclined to agree with you. Come on, let's go find out!"

With that, he cantered down the hill and into his new home.

***

Maxim leaped off his horse before she had come to a complete stop and handed the reins to the waiting stable boy.

"See to it that she's watered and give her a sugar lump, will you? She's been a good girl, getting me this far without complaint."

"Aye, my lord," the stable boy nodded, though he hadn't yet raised his head enough to meet Maxim's eyes.

The boy was anxious, Maxim realized, and he smiled to himself, thinking of how comfortable all the servants would feel in the coming months, once they'd gotten used to the new way of things. He was certain they would all like him. After all, what was there not to like? Everyone liked Maxim Steele. He was the man every lady wanted and half the men wanted, too!

He watched as his precious mare was guided away, tired but seemingly content, when he felt a gentle slap on his back. He jumped and swung around to William. William said nothing, but he nodded in the direction of the grand entrance.

A set of six stone steps fronted the double doors. They narrowed as they went up, and at either side was a curved balustrade made of Bath stone. He was assaulted by memories of climbing on them as a carefree child, his mother running behind him and telling him to get down.

William cleared his throat and again indicated the door. When Maxim finally paid heed, he found three young women. Each stood perfectly straight, shoulders back, head high, and each had dressed meticulously.

The younger two seemed to buzz with excited happiness, even if Maxim detected a few nerves in there, too. But the older one intrigued him the most. She looked cold and stern. As welcoming parties went, she did not present the most welcoming of fronts!

He was surprised, then, by the visceral reaction he had at seeing her. Austere though she may have looked, she had an eternal beauty about her, with thick black hair and skin so white it could have been marble. In her strength, she was almost handsome, but her eyes shone with intelligence and wit, and he suspected her pretty mouth held a clever word or two.

His lips fell open as he admired her, and he found himself drawn to her in that same way he had been drawn to those women who had gotten him into trouble before.

"Three of them," William said, leaning in close to whisper. "But where's the boy?"

Good question.

Maxim narrowed his eyes, considering his next move, then he trotted up the steps with his warmest smile, his top hat wedged underneath his arm, and bowed to them. The younger two giggled, but the elder—the beauty—merely watched, calm and in control. Even her stare enticed him—it was a challenge if ever he had seen one.

"Stop it," she whispered to the younger two. "We're supposed to be on our best behavior, remember?"

"Good morning, ladies," he said. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Maxim Steele, your new guardian. You may call me Maxim, since we are to be living together."

He offered them a chuckle, hoping to come across as friendly, even lighthearted. He wanted them to know there was no need for formalities, for standing on ceremony—partly because he had never liked such a thing, but partly because he felt it would make them warm to him more quickly. He really did hope they could be friends. But the eldest, wearing a black cotton gown, stepped forward with her hand out to shake as a man might.

"Lady Theodora Cary," she said. "And these are my sisters, Ladies Charlotte and Grace."

Maxim was taken aback by her boldness, but with a single eyebrow raised, he took her hand and shook it. The flesh of her palm was soft and warm, and he wondered how it would feel upon his chest.

And though seemed cold initially, her voice was full of warmth and softness. He could already see there was so much more to her than met the eye, and he was looking forward to discovering more. He wondered it this attitude of hers was a front, a fa?ade for a brighter, happier young lady underneath.

"Theodora, you say? Is that, by any chance, Theo for short?"

"That's quite correct." Her lips were pursed, giving her otherwise beautiful face something of a sour expression, and Maxim had to push his own lips together to stop himself from laughing. That explained why ‘Theo' had not become Gideon's heir.

He looked at her more carefully, not daring to allow his eyes to drift down to her body. It seemed she was determined not to like him, and that made him all the more determined to win her over. He would find a brightness in her that matched the beauty on her exterior, for how beautiful she was.

His gaze scanned her face again—pale but somehow full of life, with eyes the depth of the ocean and freckles that danced as she moved. Her lips fascinated him the most, though—thick and plump and deep red.

How delightful it would be to feel them upon mine.

He felt himself stir, his loins awakening at the sight of her. Some might think her shrew, but he could see that wasn't the case. Defensive, maybe; protective, most definitely. She was surreptitious about it, but he could see her eyeing him curiously. She wanted to get to know him, even as she pretended she wanted nothing to do with him.

"You are not quite what I expected, I must say," he said finally, his eyes satiated for the time being.

"I am certain I do not know what you mean, my lord." She turned her nose up like a determined child, but the cracks in her demeanor were already beginning to show. Her lips almost twitched into a smile.

Almost.

"Maxim, please. Call me Maxim."

"Welcome to Winterheath, my lord," she said, putting emphasis on the formal address.

Very well. That was a nut he could crack at another time. Maxim merely chuckled and pushed past her to meet her sisters, knowing how it would drive her to distraction.

"Let me guess," he said with every ounce of charm he could muster. "You must be Charlotte, and you're Grace. Am I correct?"

The two girls giggled.

"Yes, my lord," the youngest declared.

"And how old are you, if I may ask?"

"Did the solicitor not tell you any of this?" Theo asked, but he ignored her. The longer he didn't look at her, the more he could feel her eyes on her. His lack of attention would bother her, and he knew it. It always worked, every single time.

"I'm eight-and-ten," Charlotte said. "And Grace is five-and-ten."

"Ah, beautiful, tender ages. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better. Now, is my aunt home?"

"Lady Kingsbury is in Paris with your cousin, Lady Rosaline, and her fiancé. They are due to return home tomorrow. And if you don't mind, I would prefer to maintain our formalities, at least for a while. You may have, by chance, become our legal guardian, Earl Kingsbury, but you are still a stranger in our midst."

Maxim looked at her with surprise, but then, with a smirk on his face, he bowed with great exaggeration. If that was how she wanted to play this game, he would humor her.

"Whatever you wish, Lady Theodora!"

She rolled his eyes as he straightened, but even he could see the twinkle of amusement that moved across her expression. Their gaze met and held, stuck on one another for a moment. It was probably not more than a second, but he felt himself tumble into his desire for her, and he heard her beg for it in her silence.

His lips fell open, his chest rising and falling quickly, and he knew in that instant he would have her. She knew it, too, though there would be an amusing game to play beforehand. The idea drew him, but he wouldn't show her that. It was a game he could play equally well—if not better.

He turned and darted into the house, calling to her from over his shoulder.

"Come, then, my lady. Without my aunt here—so sorry, Lady Kingsbury—it is your duty to make the introductions!"

He heard her sigh as she mounted the stairs behind him, and he wondered if she made the same sound when she was pleasured, if the same expulsion of air came from those magnificent lips when fingers probed her.

They entered the entrance hall, and he forced away the image of her naked and with her head thrown back in delight. The hall was as grand as he remembered, the room as big as his entire kitchen in Grosvenor Square.

The floor had been marbled black and white, and the walls were adorned with portraits of his ancestors. From here, he could see several oak doors, and he could just about remember where each of them led, but he was looking forward to rediscovering it all again.

"Charlotte, Grace," Lady Theodora said in a matronly manner, "there is tea in the drawing room. Why don't you take Lord Kingsbury's little friend here while we meet the staff? We'll meet you there afterward."

"Little friend?" Maxim raised his eyebrow again, amused by her attitude. Still, ‘little friend' would become an amusing moniker for William; the pair loved to tease one another as all best friends did. "This is William Worthy—Mr. Worthy to those who prefer formality—and he is my closest friend in the entire world."

"I don't consider myself that little, either," William muttered. "My father, Earl Weatherhead, had three sons, and alas, I am the third, but as my mother has always assured me, that does not make me any less than my brothers. Though it is a pleasure to make all your acquaintances."

He laughed at his own quip, then glanced at Lady Charlotte as if to ensure she had found it funny. Maxim stored away that look, thinking to ask William about it as soon as they were alone.

"He's training to be a barrister, but he kindly joined me here to help me settle in."

"How very honorable," Lady Theodora replied.

Her lips were tight as her eyes ran up and down the length of him, appraising him. Maxim found himself wishing he were on the receiving end of such a hard and open stare.

"Now, if you don't mind," Lady Theodora said.

As soon as the three had disappeared into the drawing room, Lady Theodora rapped on the door to the butler's pantry. He opened it, clearly prepared, and he bowed to Maxim.

"Mr. Bankes," she said, always polite, "I'd like to introduce you to the latest Earl of Kingsbury, inheritor of dear Gideon's title. Lord Kingsbury, this is Horton Bankes, butler of Winterheath for the past thirty-three years and a true marvel. If there is anything you need to know or need assistance with, Bankes is the man to see."

"Indeed, Mr. Bankes and I have met several times," Maxim said. "Though I am much changed since our last meeting, and he has not changed at all."

The butler offered him a weak smile, and Maxim felt his light heart shift a little. He remembered the old man from when he was a child, but he was disappointed if he had hoped for any sort of warm, nostalgic familiarity between the two. He sighed. He had thought coming here would be a fresh start for him, a way for him to reform his ways and become a good man. But perhaps it would take longer than anticipated.

"Lord Kingsbury," the butler said, bowing again. "Allow me to show you around the house."