Page 54 of An Earl to Remember
She stared at her sister, nonplussed, but did not have the heart to steal the delight from whatever she pretended.
“Mr. Daniel Stannis,” she said with a wide smile. “Does thee wed my sister Georgie…and…and will you cherish her forever?”
Georgianna instinctively tried to snatch her hand from his, but he tightened his grip on her fingers, the corners of his mouth hitching in a smile.
“You should press your palm over your heart,” Sarah instructed.
“I do not recall that being in any vow,” Lizzie said with a nervous laugh.
Did her sister perhaps sense the way Georgianna’s heart tumbled over inside her chest?
“Aye,” he murmured, placing his palm on his chest. “I do.”
Her sister squealed like she had been given a gift, and Sarah seemed to have forgotten to ask Georgianna for her vows. Anna and Sarah dashed off toward the manor, claiming they were going for rice to toss over their heads. Georgianna felt silly for blushing fiercely.
“I shall go and monitor the hellions,” Lizzie said, scrambling to her feet and chasing her sisters.
Alone with Daniel, it took considerable effort for her to meet his gaze. His lips were curved in a sensual smile, and his stare held his wicked intention. She made to scramble away, and he lunged, grabbing her around the waist and tumbling her to the blanket.
“They can see us,” she cried, her laughter bubbling.
“They are too busy looking for rice. Only a few kisses,” he murmured, capturing her mouth with his.
Georgianna’s heart thumped inside her chest, every beat echoing the longing he awoke inside of her with his far-too-sensual kisses.
I am sinking too deep, she dazedly thought, wrapping her hands around his neck and kissing him with fervent passion.
This desire was a burning flame that had the power to destroy her heart, for Georgianna knew that she would eventually surrender to this madness between them, knowing he was the wicked darkness that could swallow and consume her. Yet she did not push him or wrench away from his illicit embrace, only allowing herself to tumble and fall more into his dangerous allure.
Chapter Fifteen
Daniel strolled through the small town of Crandell, almost amused by the blatantly inquisitive glares the townspeople settled on him. This was the third time he had ventured into the heart of the village, and their curiosity only seemed to increase, their avid stares crawling over his skin like ants. He’d decided to travel to London without delay and was here in town to rent a carriage. Traveling by train would be more expensive even if it would take him half the time.
His wife had watched his departure with that mysterious shadow in her eyes, and he had felt damn regretful he’d not taken her to his bed last night. A pounding headache had attacked him on the edge of the cliff, and he’d surmised whenever his cock got too eager, the headache appeared. A portly gentleman dressed in the heights of fashion strolled toward him with mincing steps.
Daniel slowed his walk, understanding the polite courtesies and niceties required of him. Another gentleman strolling to the left of the squire snagged Daniel’s attention, and he stiffened, wondering at the inexplicable way his heart started to pound. The gentleman dressed well, tapping his gold-and-white walking stick on the ground, was extraordinarily familiar to Daniel.
As if the gentleman felt his regard, he paused and looked directly at Daniel. The man flinched, then shook his head as if dazed.
Who is that man, and why does he seem to know me?
It did not come to Daniel in a tidal rush but as a gentle waft of breeze, gliding across his thoughts in a kaleidoscope of memories pouring inside him to fill the empty void.His heart lurched and his mouth dried.I have a younger brother. “Stephen?”
His brother rushed to him, grabbing Daniel in a fierce hug.
“By God, it is really you, Daniel?”
He returned his brother’s embrace for several beats, then stepped away. “What the hell are you doing here in Crandell? And why do you appear so haggard as if you’ve not been sleeping?”
“That is the question for you,” Stephan said, searching his face. “London is all in a tizzy, and the newssheets are all wildly speculating about the fact that you have been bloody missing from society events for almost three weeks. Both the Duke of Beswick and Marquess Moncrieff called for you to no avail. There are even some whispers you might be…dead.”
Incredulity scythed through him, and for a moment, Daniel had no idea what to say or how to say it. “Missing?”
“For nineteen bloody days! I have been worried sick!”
Missing…for nineteen days…London abuzz with the news. He stiffened, thinking of one of the women who loved him more than anything in her world. “Nana?”
His brother closed his eyes briefly. “She tries not to act out of sorts, but Mother has rallied around her, assuring Nana that you are just being your usual debauched self and will soon return to town. But she has hired men to find you, and I have seen her sobbing in the gardens.”
