Page 10 of Miss Mulberry and the Moody Marquess
“You wish to marry me?” she repeated, not entirely certain that she’d heard him correctly.
“Ultimately, yes. I think it would benefit us both to have some time together first, though certainly not seven years.”
“But you hardly know me,” she protested. “How could you possibly have formed such a certain opinion of me when we’ve barely spoken?” Surely she had slipped into some sort of fevered madness that this impossibly handsome, titled and wealthy gentleman was professing to having suffered from some unrequited longing for her!
“No, we did not speak very often. Because I did not trust myself to speak to you and not reveal my inappropriate feelings for you given your understanding with another. But I did watch you.” The words tumbled out of him, like a great flood, as if perhaps they had been dammed up for so long and were now released with a significant force. “For seven years. Seven. And I saw and heard all I needed to in order to know that my fondness for you was well founded.”
Charlotte felt a strange fluttering in her heart. “What exactly did you see and hear?”
“Your unwavering kindness,” he said, his voice ringing with conviction. “I know that you take very tender care of your sometimes cantankerous uncle. I know that I have never heard you say a single negative thing about another person… even when those people do not deserve your regard. I know that you have dignity and grace. And I know that you are more beautiful today than when I first saw you. And if I am blessed enough to look upon you in twenty or thirty years, you will be more beautiful still.”
It was impossible to even draw breath. He’d always been a man of few words, and yet when he elected to speak, he did so very eloquently. She’d never had anyone see her as he apparently did. There was such certainty in his impassioned statement. Seven years?
“Seven years,” he repeated.
Charlotte realized she’d spoken aloud and blushed furiously. “I had no idea. You never gave any indication.”
“Nor would I have,” he said decisively. “That is not until Cranford behaved so unforgivably to you. He did not deserve you then, and he certainly would never deserve you now. I do not deserve you either, but I am smart enough to know it and be grateful for your generous nature. And, if you ever agree to marry me, I promise that I will be smart enough not to wait seven years to get you to the altar. As soon as the banns had been read and we could legally do so, I’d have you at the front of the church reciting our vows.”
“Are you proposing?” Charlotte asked.
“That depends entirely upon whether or not you’d accept,” he replied.
She wanted to say yes. But would she be agreeing for the right reasons?
Charlotte took a deep breath. “I am a practical woman, as you have said. I’m nearly six and twenty and the opportunitiesto have a husband and a family of my own are ever shrinking. That is not to say I would accept just any man. I would not. But…are you certain you wish to marry when it appears your feelings for me are quite well set while mine for you are only just beginning?”
“I’m certain I wish to marry you… however I may and whenever I may. Shall we speak to the vicar about posting our banns, Charlotte?”
Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but found herself unable to do so. Instead, she simply shook her head.
“I see. Then I shall escort you home and I will not bother you again,” he said.
“No!” The word came out more as a shout than a reasonable protest. “That isn’t what I meant. I only meant that I cannot say yes today. You’ve had seven years to think about this. I’ve had two days. And while practicality demands I accept, it also demands that we at least have something resembling a courtship first.”
Ethan couldn’t stop the smile that curved his cheeks. “Will the end of Mrs. Whitlow’s house party be too soon to repeat the question?”
“That is one week from today and we will be in attendance there for no less than a week. I should think that a fortnight would be sufficient time,” Charlotte agreed.
“I know your uncle does not have a carriage. Does he mean to attend the house party?”
“Oh, heavens no. My uncle will never leave Ambleside. Not for any reason. He thinks the perimeter of this village is the beginning and end of the entire world.”
Relief rushed through him. It would be another opportunity to spend time with her. “Then, you must ride with us in my carriage. I shall bring my sister to provide adequate chaperonage… And that will give us more time to get to know one another.” Especially as Regina hated traveling and always took a sleeping draught before hand to avoid travel sickness.
“That is very kin?—”
“It is not kind. Do not say it. It is wholly selfish and I am both perfectly aware of that and perfectly fine with it,” he said. “By keeping you with me, and escorting you to the party, I’m staking a claim—I don’t want there to be any mistaking my intentions toward you. And if that makes me a possessive brute, then so be it.”
“It doesn’t. Well, maybe it does. But I find that do not mind it. Not in the least,” she replied.
Ethan looked about. They were alone in the lane, shielded by copses of trees on both sides. It wasn’t the perfect opportunity he had hoped for, but it was the best one to present itself yet. Pulling back on the reins until the horse came a to stop, he looped the reins around the brake before reaching for her.
Cupping her cheek gently in one hand, he traced the delicate curve of it with his thumb before leaning in and capturing her lips.
Soft, sweet, pliant—but the kiss was still deliciously carnal. Though perhaps that had more to do with his own desires than the kiss itself, but also shockingly innocent.Almost,he thought,as though she had never been kissed.After seven years betrothed, had Arliss Cranford never taken even the slightest liberty? Not that he minded, but he was certainly surprised by it.
The sound of approaching horses prompted him to break the contact, though very reluctantly. He drew back and noted the stunned expression on her face. But they could not simply sit there and discuss it. Not with others approaching. Taking upthe reins once more, the horse immediately started forward at a slow, steady pace.
