The Earl's Stowaway. Krystina Daryl

you, milady, I accepted his offer," Melanie added.

      Christopher shifted his gaze to her, what the hell!

      Nancy nodded with a smile. "They will both teach you." She looked at Nicholas, "You are welcome to stay in my home. I have arranged a Christmas ball and I'd like her prepared for it."

      "Gran, what will be the story?" Christopher asked. She spared a glance to Nicholas before she settled her eyes back to him. "Nick already knows."

      "There are no secrets between me and Christopher, milady," Nicholas added.

      Nancy nodded with relief. "Very well. I will present her as the daughter of Thomas's distant American cousin. Since his grandmother was American, no one will doubt it. She already knows everything there is to know about his family, in case someone asks."

      "Nicholas doesn't need to stay, Gran. I am perfectly capable of teaching Melanie..." her arched brow made him pause. He sighed and corrected himself. "Miss Monroe, how to dance."

      "He is staying, as your chaperone, Christopher, just in case you give Annie the slip."

      Christopher bit down on the oath on his tongue. "Annie is her chaperone?"

      "In the house, yes, but in public, I am." She turned and walked to Melanie. "Get ready for dinner." Melanie nodded and she pulled away. "Try not to get drenched again."

      Melanie cursed, surprising both Christopher and Nicholas. Christopher expected his grandmother to chastise her for her lack of manners but she just sighed.

      "Not in front of company, Melanie," Nancy casually said before walking out.

      Christopher was stunned, not only by the oath, but by the fact his grandmother did not reprimand her.

      Nicholas laughed. "You curse like a sailor."

      Melanie stalked to Christopher. "She knows what we were doing in here!"

      Christopher chuckled at her crinkled nose. She was livid, and he liked it! "I know."

      "You cannot keep kissing me, Christopher!"

      He stayed quiet.

      "Promise me—"

      Christopher held her lips together with his fingers to quieten her. He heard the threat in her voice. If she only knew it was doing the exact opposite of what she intended. All it did was arouse him more. He released her lips, grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. He planted a quick kiss on her lips. "I do not make promises I cannot keep."

      She pulled away, her hands fisted at her sides, as she stared daggers into him. That fire could be put to good use in private, nude and him on top of her.

      "Christopher..." she hissed angrily.

      "Tell me, do I need to turn you across my knees?" he asked, and then added, "I promised to spank you if you misbehave and, young lady, that is a promise I will keep."

      He held his fingers threateningly over her lips and she sucked them into her mouth, giving them a nip. The slap of his hand against her backside had her yipping and carefully allowing him to pull his fingers free. At his chuckle and shake of his head, she settled a livid glare on him and stomped out of the room, her long hair swinging behind her.

      Nicholas whistled. "If you didn't already have your eye on her, I would be chasing her skirt! She's endowed in all the right places."

      "Careful, brother!" Christopher hissed out the warning.

      Unfazed, Nicholas shrugged. "That depends, on what you plan on doing with the love you feel for her."

      Christopher stared at him, completely at a loss for words. He'd only just realized that he loved her, one month after meeting her. Hell, they've only been around each other for two days! And yet he thought of her every morning when he woke up and every night before he went to sleep, realizing how empty his bed was without her in it. If it wasn't for all his work taken by the time in between, her face would be all he thought about.

      Nicholas patted his shoulder. "You have a lot to think about, brother."

      ******

      It was torture sitting across from Christopher, feeling his eyes on her as she ate silently. His gaze made her entire body tingle, especially the juncture of her hips. How Christopher held so much power over her body and heart amazed her. If she didn't know better...

      Shit! Damnation! She loved him!

      "How?" she whispered raising her head and meeting his eyes. She saw the desire in them and it stirred a fire in the pit of her stomach. She knew it wouldn't take much on his part to make her give in. She chuckled, what was she thinking? She was a complete wanton around him!

      "Melanie, are you all right?" Christopher asked, his voice husky.

      She knew what that meant. He was struggling with his urge as much as she was. "I'm fine." The response felt dry and cracked. Without breaking the hold of their eyes, she picked up her glass and sipped at the water. Then she held the cool crystal against her hot cheek and watched as the flames danced in Christopher's eyes.

      Christopher hissed, turning his head to Nicholas and breaking the hold. She let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and pressed the cold glass to her neck.

      She was damned!

      "Annie will be sleeping in your room from tonight onwards, Melanie," Nancy commented casually.

      Melanie turned to her shocked. Hell! Did nothing escape her notice? "Yes, milady," she whispered.

      "Is that truly necessary?" Christopher asked, his voice still husky.

      "Oh yes, I believe it is." Nancy raised her gaze to him. "As long as there are gentlemen in my home, one in particular, it is very necessary."

      Melanie wanted to weep from the embarrassment. "May I be excused?" she whispered.

      "Yes you may. Meet us in the lounge," Nancy instructed, taking a sip of her wine.

      Melanie stood up, and Nicholas and Christopher stood with her. She dared a glance below Christopher's waist and saw he was holding a napkin there. She sighed, almost running out.

      She got to the long hallway and hid behind the pillar. "How can this be happening?" she asked herself, pressing her heated body against the cool stone wall. Mayhap the emotion will pass, she thought to herself. But not the love... or maybe it's just infatuation?

      She held onto the latter for but a moment before the fuss ended. She knew what love felt like, and this, what she felt for Christopher, was definitely love. But did he love her back, or is it just lust he feels? That thought pained her heart.

      She went into the parlor and quietly sat next to Nancy keeping her eyes low and away from Christopher's. It was difficult ignoring him, especially since she could feel the heat of his gaze on her, but it was necessary. She wanted love before she gave in, and until then, she was going to keep her distance.

      That proved difficult two weeks later. Nicholas had kept to his word and taught her how to dance and to Nancy's shock, Christopher kept turning down her invitation. Melanie knew he was opting to work and stay clear of her.

      This was what she wanted, wasn't it? Well not anymore.

      "He just needs some time to think, Melanie, do not fret," Nicholas whispered, when they turned away from Nancy.

      She smiled weakly. "Do you read minds?"

      He chuckled. "Just faces, and I know my friend better than I know myself."

      Melanie stared at him, a question itching at the tip of her tongue. But she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer if it wasn't what she expected.

      "Are you going to ask what you wish, or chew your lip until it bleeds?" he offered, his grin deepening.

      She let two beats of uncertainty pass before she spoke. "What does he feel for me?" she whispered.

      Nicholas