Page 43 of Courting the Earl
She was regretting her decision to accompany Lydia today. She’d gone to her bedroom yesterday after giving Geoffrey his freedom and asked for a dinner tray to be sent to her room. Her cousin had tried to convince her to join them that evening, but she’d been in no mood to go to yet another ball.
So today, when Lord Stanley had invited Lydia to visit Hyde Park, Eleanor had insisted on accompanying them. She’d had more than enough of crying over a man who didn’t want her. It had been difficult, of course, watching Lydia and her betrothed together. It reminded her too much of the brief time she and Geoffrey had spent together yesterday afternoon.
How was it possible that only one day had passed since he’d shown her what might have been between them?
It had never occurred to her that she might see him here. At least he hadn’t been with another woman. She wouldn’t have been able to stop from bursting into tears if she’d seen another woman on his arm. She was barely holding her emotions in check now. He walked silently next to her, but his presence engulfed all her senses.
Tense seconds stretched to a full minute, and her nerves started to fray at the edges. Since it didn’t seem that Lydia was going to return soon enough for her liking and put an end to this torture, Eleanor was going to have to do that herself.
“If you’ve come to apologize, you should know that isn’t necessary. What my uncle tried to do was unacceptable.”
“And apparently distasteful to you.”
She chanced a quick glance at him and saw that he was frowning. She brought her gaze forward again. “My opinion and desires are of no consequence. You’ve made your distaste for the idea of marrying at this point in your life very clear. I understand why my uncle wanted to proceed with the arrangement, but what I said yesterday holds true. I won’t force you to marry me, so you should consider yourself free.”
She had to force the hated words out, but she couldn’t quite keep her voice even. She just needed him to take his leave, and then she could begin working on regulating her breathing again.
“What if you wouldn’t be forcing me?”
Was he trying to make this ordeal even worse? Or was it simply that he felt bad about how she must be feeling? He was a man of the world, and before yesterday she’d been inexperienced. Whatever the reason, she could no longer continue this conversation. “I think I should rejoin Lydia and Lord Stanley. Good day, my lord.”
She quickened her step, but he stopped her, grasping her arm and turning her to face him.
Shocked, aware that they were beginning to attract attention, she glanced down at where he was holding her in place. Thankfully he dropped his hand.
She met his gaze again and swallowed, tears beginning to cloud her eyes. She couldn’t let them fall, not here.
He swore under his breath when he saw them. “I was a fool, Eleanor. I lashed out yesterday because in that moment, when Appleby was making his decree, all I could see was my father and your uncle sitting together in a room, planning out my future. Coming to town at the beginning of the season and learning that I was betrothed…”
“I understand,” she said. And she did. He hadn’t known about the betrothal until his father was on his deathbed. Unlike Lydia, who’d known about the arrangement for years and had been willing to consider the match, it had been a complete shock to him.
“When I learned the truth, I felt trapped. And when your uncle told me that it was our duty to get married—”
“You felt trapped all over again, just when you’d finally achieved your freedom.” She looked down, forcing herself to continue. “I do understand. Anything that happened between us was just a passing fancy on your part.” She was rambling now, but she had to get all this out so it would finally be over. “We both know it was never going to last. You were always going to move on, and I’d be left with my memories. Perhaps one day I’ll find someone who’s content to have me as his bride…”
Gloved fingers came to her chin, and he tilted her face up to his. “No, Eleanor. I absolutely forbid you from accepting someone else’s proposal of marriage.”
Her thoughts blanked. What was he saying? “I don’t understand. You forbid me?”
One corner of his mouth tilted up in a self-deprecating smile. “I can’t have the woman I love and want to spend the rest of my life with agreeing to marry someone else.”
She stared at him, unable to comprehend what he was saying. Finally she shook her head. “The woman you…”
She couldn’t say the word. He’d spent the past few months trying to avoid romantic entanglements, so how was it possible that he could be telling her that he loved her… and here in Hyde Park where anyone could overhear them?
And then he dropped to one knee and reached for her hands.
Her mouth dropped open, shock going through her. “What are you doing?”
“Eleanor Pearson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I find the idea of continuing without you unbearable, and I want the whole world to know that I love you.”
If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up. She smiled down at him. He loved her. He’d proposed in the middle of Hyde Park with half the ton watching them. “Are you certain?”
He looked around to where everyone else was now standing, not bothering to hide their fascination with the scene playing out in their midst. “Does it seem as though I’m uncertain?”
She shook her head in wonder. When she saw the slight vee forming between his brows, she rushed to reassure him. “I can’t believe you’re doing this here. Yes, my lord.” She lowered her voice. “Yes, Geoffrey. I’ll marry you.”
Relief, affection, love, they were all present on his face as he rose to his feet. Then, uncaring about their rapt audience, he dragged her into his arms and kissed her.
