The Earl's Secret by Kathryn Jensen Page A

hotel…now.”
    â€œNow?” He sighed, bear hugging her until she let out a little grunt of protest. His mind was racing, seeking ways to convince her to stay, even if for just another hour or two. They could make love as the sun showed its new face. He would touch her in all the ways, on all the secret places he’d imagined touching her last night.
    â€œChristopher?” Now she was sounding just a bit irritated.
    Short of brute force, he decided, there was no way of holding her there. “I suppose we might as well face the music,” he grumbled. “I wonder what your traveling companions will think when they discover their valiant leader has slept with a man on their first date?” He grinned mischievously at her.
    Jennifer smacked him on the thigh. “We have not slept together—not that way, at least! Now let me go. We have to get back to the hotel before I’m missed. Breakfast isn’t served until seven, and most of them won’t come down until eight. It can’t be any later than six now. I think we can make it.”
    She started to push herself off him. But he liked teasing her too much, and he locked his arms around her all the tighter. “And I thought you American women were easy.”
    â€œThis…this isn’t funny,” she sputtered, struggling…but not, he noticed, too energetically. “What if one of my clients needed me during the night?”
    â€œThey aren’t children, luv.”
    Jennifer jumped at the sexy little word. It wasn’t the first time he’d used it. Before, she’d thought it a charming affectation; it made him more human, less like an aristocrat complete with title, castle and a heap of very old money. But that was before they’d kissed and…well, before he’d touched her bare breast. The intimate memory sent a shiver down the back of her neck, clear to her bottom. No, she was being ridiculous. It was just a harmless appellation used by the English much like her Baltimore neighbors used “hon” even when addressing a perfect stranger. No real sentiment attached.
    â€œI have two seniors with heart conditions,” she reasoned. “And one who is prone to occasionally forgetting what planet she resides on. They’re easy enough to manage when I’m with them. But I’m not . So don’t tell me not to worry.”
    He released her with a theatrical groan. She leaped up and ran to the cheval glass mirror to finger comb her hair. With a quick wipe of a fingertip beneatheach eye, she banished the shadowy traces of yesterday’s mascara.
    â€œFine, fine. I’ll take you back.” He caught her eye in the mirror and winked wickedly. “But if we get caught, it will be a shame we didn’t enjoy the pleasures of our ruined reputations.”
    Jennifer tossed him a poisonous glare.
    â€œCan’t blame the lord of the manor for trying, m’lady.”
    â€œI suppose not. Young aristocrats are expected to lead loose, perverted lives.”
    â€œWe are?” He stood up and patted his pockets, frowning.
    â€œOf course. Everyone reads about the rich and titled all the time in those scandal sheets. Prince of Macadamia Caught in Tryst with Chorus Girl! Royal Couple Takes Separate Vacations…but Not Alone!” She followed him around the room as he hunted down what she suspected would be his car keys. “Royals out-Hollywood movie stars. My mother dotes on their escapades.”
    He laughed as he bent to scoop the errant keys off the floor from beneath the couch. “Is that so?”
    â€œI’m not as fascinated with your type, myself.” She sniffed delicately for effect, elevating the tip of her nose. “I think people should behave decently no matter who their parents are or how many figures describe their bank accounts.”
    â€œCome along, Miss Prim and Proper,” he said, grabbing her hand and marching into the stairwell.