Read Online The Earl in My Bed: A Forgotten Princesses Valentine Novella by Sophie Jordan - Free Book Online Page B

couldn’t simply be lust. Although there was that. In abundance. Her body grew warm, her bones liquefying just thinking about him . . . his mouth . . . his hands. But love? Something lasting and deep?
    Whatever she felt started when he showed her that glimpse of himself . . . the lonely boy he had been, looking with longing after her and Owen. He’d had no one. No friends that she could recall. His brothers preferred the company of each other . . . of her . That must have stung. Even his father seemed quite unaffected by his existence. As if he didn’t care one way or another if Jamie lived or died. Harsh, perhaps, but not untrue.
    She knew the late Earl of Winningham had been exceedingly proud of Brand, his heir, taking him about the countryside and showing him the proper manner in which to oversee his holdings and attend those dependent on him. Owen had been favored as well, the son of his second wife, a Scottish countess whom he had doted upon.
    Only now did she realize Jamie had been overlooked . . . and left alone.
    She understood loneliness. Since Owen left her, she had been lonely. Living, going about her days, but without feeling anything. Bored. Numb. Jamie had changed all that the moment he returned. She was alive again. He’d brought her back to life.
    Papa sighed. “I’m certain the earl will attempt to set matters to rights and offer marriage.”
    She nodded, staring at her hands. “He has.”
    “Paget, listen well . . . you needn’t make any decisions until you do know your heart.”
    Paget snapped her attention back to her father. “I do not think I have that luxury.”
    He patted her hand again. “You take all the time you need. Marriage is not a decision to be made lightly. It is the rest of your life you are deciding.”
    “Papa, this affects you, too.”
    “Don’t fret about me.” He smiled. “Do I look worried?”
    She smiled hesitantly. “No.”
    “Then you shouldn’t give me another thought. Look inside her your heart. Then go from there.” He slid his hand from hers and turned to stare out the window, looking quite at peace.
    She wished she felt half as content.

 
    C HAPTER S EVEN
----
    J amie arrived at the vicarage at first light. He’d debated following Paget home the previous evening but thought it best to give her the night to gather her thoughts and adjust to the reality of her situation. Their situation, he amended, his jaw clenching.
    He’d done this to the both of them. No mistake about it. And it had nothing to do with his need to protect his brother. He’d been selfish and greedy for her. Kissing Paget again had been totally self-driven, and the consequences were his to bear. Owen would never forgive him, but there was no way around it. He could not stand aside and watch as Paget fell to ruin. The least he could do was not openly enjoy the notion that she would be his . . . that he could have her in his bed. He could reach for her any time. Touch her. Kiss her. Sink inside her body and spend himself.
    Amazingly, in the span of one night, he had grown to accept the idea. Even anticipate it. Almost like it was always meant to be. Paget and him. Not Paget and Owen.
    The housekeeper led him to Vicar Ellsworth’s office. He waited only moments in the small space before the vicar joined him.
    “Lord Winningham,” he greeted, moving before the crackling fireplace where Jamie stood warming his hands. He motioned for Jamie to seat himself in one of the wingback chairs. “I was hoping you would call.”
    “Of course. I would not be remiss with my duty.”
    The vicar lowered into the chair across from him. Despite his much shorter frame, he managed to look down his spectacles at Jamie. “Duty? Is that what brings you here?”
    “I apologize for putting Paget’s reputation at risk. It was not my intention—”
    “What was your intention, Lord Winningham?”
    Jamie blinked, unsure how to respond to that bald question. How could he admit that he had not