Page 44 of By No Means a Gentleman
“We are speaking of the same thing—our mutual beneficial agreement?”
“Mutual beneficial agreement, you say.” Her entire body lit with challenge. “What is somutuallybeneficial about it? I’ve found it to be quite one-sided, which is why I’m enjoying a stroll so early in the morning—I’m quite suffocated and annoyed by this mutually beneficial agreement.”
“I see the two of you have some things to discuss,” Rochester suddenly put in. “I’ll take my leave.”
Will nodded to the man before turning his attention back to Harriet. He half expected her to cry for help, but to his surprise, she merely sent the earl a reassuring smile.
I want that smile to be mine.
“He’s not wrong,” Will said. “We have things to discuss.”
Those big, clear eyes lifted to him. “You want to discuss things now?”
“Don’t you?”
“I want to go home first.”
Will hesitated didn’t trust anyone in that house to keep an eye on her. “Haven’t we been down that path before?”
“I want to bathe.”
“You can bathe at my house. I’ll have someone send for your maid.”
“I need to pack my wedding trousseau. It’s a thing, you know.”
Will’s breath stalled. Did she mean... Will was too afraid to ask. He cleared his throat. “I’ll have a footman collect it.”
She gave a curt nod. “Then shall I bathe at your residence?”
He nearly groaned at the image that question provoked. Was this another scheme after being caught once again? Had she even run away this time? “Of course. It’s to be your home now, too.”
She started to walk back toward his house, but Will stopped her by grabbing her wrist. He had to know. “Wait. Why are you suddenly so amenable? Just yesterday you were set on fleeing to another country.”
“Would you believe me if I said I’ve come to see the light?”
“No.”
Her laughter wrapped around him like a spell.
She’d changed her mind.Dear God, she’d changed her mind.
A force unlike any he had ever felt overcame him in that moment, and he lowered to one knee, unable to stop himself. “I know this is not how you wanted to marry. You deserved a proper courtship. I can’t change the past, but I ask nonetheless, Lady Harriet Hillstow, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her eyes turned to saucers. She glanced left and right before she hissed, “What are you doing?”
“Asking for you hand.”
“Get up!”
“Not until you give me an answer,” Will said. “You might not believe me, love, but Iamtrying here. I want nothing more than your favor.”
“Fine, I shall marry you. Are you happy?” Her cheeks flushed red. “Now get up, people are staring at us.”
Will straightened to his feet. “You said yes.”
She snatched his hand and dragged him in the direction of the house. “Do you believe me to be plotting a diabolical scheme?”
Will stared at her. “No.” He just didn’t think he’d ever hear those words from her mouth.
