Page 25 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

‘What of your country home? Is there one?’ she asked.

‘Yes, Ralston House is in Derbyshire and is over fifteen thousand acres.’

Her step faltered and he immediately reached out to cover her hand.

‘Fifteen thousand acres! I cannot imagine owning that much land,’

‘It’s been passed down for generations. I’m the sixth Earl of Ralston.’

Her brow furrowed. ‘I fear I’m dreadfully unprepared.’

‘I’m not concerned. Like I said, both homes have a full staff. And if you can find specific seashells among many on a Cornwall beach, then you have much more attention to detail than any lady I’ve ever met.’

She looked at him in surprise. ‘That is one of the kindest things you have said, my lord.’

‘Good. I must make up for my bad behavior from the prior evening when I told you to stay away from Sir Simon.’

She tilted her head back and laughed. ‘It was bad behavior. But forgiven.’

His heart hammered at the pleasant sound of her laugh. It wasn’t high-pitched, but husky and reminded him of long, lustful mornings they’d soon share after they wed. ‘Anything else you’d like to ask?’

‘Your bill to improve child labor. When will it pass?’ she asked.

This was a familiar topic. ‘Ah, passing a bill is a long process. It must initially have its first reading where debate is not usually allowed. Then the second reading where a full debate is expected. A final passing of the bill in the House comes later. Then it must go to the Commons.’

‘Surely it will pass.’

He did not want to ruin the light mood with talk of politics or his adversaries. Not when he was enjoying their time together beneath a string of lanterns at a festive fair.

They approached another booth. ‘Would you like to judge the pie competition with me? The Duchess asked me earlier. Her head housekeeper entered the contest with her blackberry pie.’

Nora’s eyes lit as she smiled up at him ‘Yes!’

He offered his arm, and they headed for a long table filled with pies of different flavours—apple, blackberry, strawberry, cherry and even rhubarb. The Duchess stood by her head cook, Mrs Hemsworth, and sampled her blackberry pie.

‘Delicious!’ the Duchess said.

Both Ralston and Nora were handed plates with samples of three different pies, including the head cook’s. The strawberry pie was Ralston’s favorite—sweet and crusty, he could easily eat more. Mrs Hemsworth eyed them, and both his and Nora’s forks froze in mid-air.

Nora tugged on his arm and when he lowered his head, she whispered in his ear. ‘I think it will be rigged in favor of Mrs Hemsworth.’

His lips twitched with the need to smile. ‘That woman could frighten Parliament and any seasoned politician.’

‘She may poison us at our next meal if we vote against her,’ she said.

Their eyes met in humour over their raised plates, and a sensuous glance passed between them.

Mrs Hemsworth cleared her throat, and the moment was lost. Their attention returned to her. They filled out their ballots and stuffed them in the ballot box, then hurried off together. Once they were out of sight, they both released laughs. It was a rare moment between them, and Ralston watched as she wiped tears from her eyes with her sleeve.

‘That was unexpected,’ Nora said.

‘It was. Shall we walk more?’ Once again, he offered his arm, and she took it.

He didn’t want to leave her, not when the magic of the fair was still alive. They were to depart for London tomorrow. Too soon, everything would change. The atmosphere would not be relaxed. The rules of polite society could be oppressive and there was much to do. His work at the House of Lords would come first. Second, he had an upcoming wedding. He had no intention of changing his daily routine. He knew, looking at Nora now, under the twinkling amber lights, this was fantasy, not reality.

His past hovered deep in the recesses of his mind like a gloomy specter. As his wife, he’d never open his heart to another. He’d respect her, just as he’d expect her to respect him. But he couldn’t let her in—he would never do that again. Mutual distance would be easy to maintain once they were back in the city.

‘Nora!’ The shout pierced the night air.