The Reluctant Earl Read Free Page B

herself against him, her head tipped back on her lovely slender neck.  The kiss deepened and they clung to each other with rising fierceness.  Simon felt the storm of hunger inside him, and he forced himself to put her away while he still was able to.  She staggered a little, as she lost the support of his arms. 
    He was breathing as if he had been running.  He looked at her and said, his voice unrecognizable even to himself, “You’re so beautiful, Claire.  I love you so much.”
    They had known each other since she had come from Ireland to Welbourne.  He had been seven and she six, and they had become instant friends.  Over the years, as they had grown, the innocent friendship had turned into something much more. 
    She whispered, “I love you so much, Simon.”
    His heart turned over as he looked at her.  He could lose himself in her eyes, he thought, and took a step toward her, desperately wanting the feel of her soft breasts against him, her beautiful full mouth under his. 
    A horse squealed and they both jumped.  First Claire, then Simon, turned to look at Finbar.  His tail was swishing madly and he was glaring at his hip.
    “Something bit him,” Claire said.  She went to look at his flank, then stroked his neck and told him he was fine, to go back to his grass.  After a few more tail swishes, one of which caught Claire on the arm, he did.
    Simon watched her soothe the horse and forced himself to sit and lean his back against a tree.  Claire dropped down next to him.  Her shoulder touched his arm.  He cleared his throat and remembered what he had wanted to tell her.  “Do you recall that legacy I wrote you about?”
    “Of course I remember it.  Have you found out anything more?”
    “My father still hasn’t said a word, and I turn eighteen in a month.  On our way home I told your father what Mr. Pitt said, and he’s going to try to search for my mother’s family.  The trust was part of her marriage settlement, so he thinks they would be the ones to pay it out.”
    “Good.  Da will find out for you.”  She gave him a dark look.  “I wouldn’t be surprised if your father tried to steal your inheritance, Simon.  You need someone looking out for your interests.”
    “I don’t think my father needs my inheritance – whatever it may be.”
    Claire’s frown deepened to a scowl.  “Your father …  I wouldn’t trust your father to give you a slice if bread if you were starving, Simon!”
          He looked grim.  “True.”
    She settled back against his arm.  “Where are the earl and his witch of a wife?”
    “At a house party in Yorkshire, I’m told.”
    “Where’s Charlie?”
    “He’s home.  His mother takes him to London when they go for the season, but not when she’s only going to be away for a short time.”
    “That’s nice.  You’ll get a chance to spend some time with him.”
    Simon pushed the hair off his forehead.  “The poor little fellow.  He’s dying to ride a pony but his mother won’t let him.”  His voice turned indignant.  “He’s five years old, Claire!  I was riding a pony when I was three.”
    “Be careful,” she warned.  “If she should find out…”
    “Don’t worry.  Mrs. Adams likes me, and Charlie’s a good’un.  He won’t talk.”
    Simon’s horse decided that Finbar had a better patch of grass than he did and tried to edge the smaller horse away.  Finbar snorted and dug in.
    Simon jumped to his feet.  “Admiral, stop that.”  He went over to the thoroughbred and walked him to the other side of the glen.  Once there, Admiral obligingly dropped his head and began to graze once more.
    Simon returned to Claire.  “Your father said he has a new horse for me to work with.”
    “Yes.  A really nice bay whose not quite fast enough.  Da thinks he’d make a splendid hunter.”
    “Good.”  Simon loved working with the thoroughbreds that needed to be re-trained.
    He sat next to her again.  The byplay with the