Page 59 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
When Luke turned back to her, she was grinning, still watching him walk away. She didn’t mean to, she tried to stop it, even, but she couldn’t. Not only would Sebastian court her, but Luke had agreed to it. It flipped her heart around and sent it tumbling.
“This is not what I wanted for you,” Luke said, his anger dissipated and replaced by a concerned sadness.
“I know,” she said, trying her best to hide her delight.
“I wanted something… better, I suppose. An honorable gentleman. Someone who could give you the life you deserve.”
“He is not a bad man,” Jenny said, silently pleading him to believe her. “You will grow to like him, in time. Of that, I’m certain.”
Luke sighed, but he put his arms around Jenny’s shoulders and guided her back to the house.
“I only hope you are right,” he said.
They slowly weaved their way through the garden, Luke with his arm around Jenny, as though protecting her, guarding her, and Jenny’s heart swelled for him. She had gone against his wishes, when all he ever wanted was to look after her. He loved her, and in that moment she was reminded of her love for him.
Alison was waiting by the door when they got to the house. She smiled at Luke and told him there was a brandy waiting for him in the study, as it seemed as though he needed it.
“Thank you,” Luke said. He took his arm from around Jenny’s shoulders and he squeezed Alison’s hand in gratitude. “Come see me?” he asked, his tone soft and loving. “When you get a spare moment?”
“Of course,” Alison replied, and he disappeared into the bowels of the house.
Alison watched him go and then swung back to face Jenny.
“Well?” she asked.
“He’s perfect, Alison,” she gushed. “Just perfect. And we are to be married!”
