Only an Earl Will Do by Tamara Gill

ourselves. His uncle has yet to reply, and he may not even remember as to what we wrote.”
    Elizabeth snorted, a most unladylike sound, but in this situation she no longer cared about etiquette. She’d certainly not cared about rules and propriety three years ago. “Do you really believe his uncle would not remember Henry had left a duke’s daughter pregnant? Do be serious, Josh, or I will punch you in the nose myself.”
    He held up his hands in mock defeat. “Easy, love. All I’m saying is that it is a possibility. All is not lost yet.”
    “There is no future between Lord Muir and myself, so I think under the current situation that it would be best for Henry and Samuel if they did not know of each other. Samuel is happy at Newland Estate and Henry will soon be happy and married in Scotland.”
    “What did you say to Muir as to why you wrote him? I assume he asked.”
    “I told him I thought myself in love with him and that only he would do as my husband. And Father, doting on us as he did, requested he return and agree to an alliance.”
    Her brother looked at her, and she didn’t like the silence her answer garnered. “What? Tell me what you’re thinking.”
    “You won’t like it.”
    “I don’t care. Tell me.” She clasped her fan tight in her palm, her brother’s answer worth more than she thought.
    “He deserves to know the truth. Hell, I would want to know in his situation. If, for whatever reason, his uncle does not disclose that information, that is, if the uncle had anything to do with it in the first place, he ought to know he is a father.”
    Elizabeth slumped back in the squabs. That thought, the very one that haunted her every waking moment, said aloud, was even worse than thinking it. Damn it. She hated it when her brother spoke sense. “But can’t you see that I can’t tell the truth? If Marcus’s family finds out about my betrayal to them and Henry, for that matter, Samuel will be the one to pay. And Marcus doted on the boy; they were the cutest pair. I cannot ruin the memory of that in my mind to tame the guilt I have.”
    “It’s not all your fault, Elizabeth. Someone played a game with our family, and if Lord Muir is unable to gain confirmation that it was his uncle, I should like to know who it was myself.”
    She rubbed her temple, a slight thumping starting behind her eyes. “Very well, let us wait and see what Henry’s uncle replies, and then I’ll know what’s to be done. And I will also think on it, regarding telling Henry the truth no matter what comes of his reply from his family. But please, as my dear brother, do not go getting into any more brawls on my behalf.”
    “The hell I won’t. You’re my sister. I’m the future head of this family, and I will look out for all of you.” He paused as the coach rounded a corner into the heart of Mayfair. “But I promise to behave the next time we meet.” He sighed. “What a blasted mess.”
    “Yes, your nose is quite awful looking at present.”
    Josh growled but did not reply. Elizabeth gazed out to the terraced houses of Mayfair. The homes were a blur as her mind fought to comprehend what her brother and Henry had done, of what she should do, and what would happen in a matter of weeks.
    Blasted mess indeed…
    …
    Some days later Elizabeth received another flower arrangement from her anonymous admirer, delivered in the same manner and again without a card. This time, Elizabeth took it down to the kitchen and handed it to Mrs. Arthur, who said it would make a lovely table decoration for the staff. Elizabeth headed toward the library and without knocking, entered.
    “Oh, forgive me, I didn’t know anyone was in here,” Elizabeth said, turning to leave.
    “No, wait, Elizabeth, come in.” Her brother answered in a voice as sweet as honey.
    Elizabeth wondered what her brother was up to using such a tone, but closed the door as asked and smiled at Lord Dean who sat in the chair opposite her brother. She came and sat