He turned the letter over in his hands. When Alaina saw the crest emblazoned into the wax, she inhaled sharply as Marcus did.
It is from Caroline’s father.
“Let us take this into the parlour,” Marcus whispered to her. “Thank you, Lambton.”
The butler bowed and walked off.
They hastened into the parlour. Alaina took off her spencer jacket and laid it over the back of her chair. When she looked around at Marcus, she saw he was equally tense, rubbing his brow and staring down at that wax seal as he walked into the room. Alaina neared him, helping him off with the tailcoat.
“Don’t remove my clothes,” he whispered to her, managing a small smile. “You’ll get me distracted again.”
She laughed with him, but it was only a momentary break to the tension. They both sat down on either side of the fire that had been set in the room. Neither one of them sat back in their chairs but leaned forward with nervousness as Marcus tapped the letter between his hands.
“I notice your father hasn’t sent a letter to you,” Marcus said, his voice grave and deep. “I would have thought a caring father would write to see how you were doing.”
Alaina blinked. It was strange, summoning the words to describe a relationship with a father that she did not know.
“He is caring enough. Sometimes, he becomes blinkered. He thinks of one goal alone.”
“I see.” Marcus nodded. With a heavy sigh, he broke the seal of the letter and read. As he did so, his frown grew more marked, his brow creasing.
“Well? What does he say?”
“He asks me to hold a ball.” He huffed. “Listen to this …” He paused before reading aloud from the letter. “It is my greatest wish for the two of you to be announced as a betrothed couple to the ton. Let you both be welcomed with open arms and congratulated. I pray this ball will be soon as I have already told many of the impending marriage …”
He broke off, shifting in his seat.
“Callie, I wanted you to have the chance to decide for yourself –”
“I know you did,” Alaina said hurriedly, her voice soft though her breathing had quickened. “Go on.” He turned his gaze back down to the letter again.
“Let us invite all our dearest friends and family. Let them come together in a celebration of your betrothal. Set the date for next week, if you can, for I believe many intend to leave London shortly as the season draws to a close.” All of a sudden, Marcus folded up the letter. “There are niceties, too, but that is the meat of the letter.”
Alaina suddenly stood. She needed distance. She had to think about exactly what the earl was asking for. She gripped the back of the chair, hanging her head forward.
The secret will be out.
She would come down the stairs at this ball, and all who knew Caroline and expected to see her would see Alaina before them.
It is coming to an end.
“I’m sorry,” Marcus said in a rush. “Callie, I didn’t want you to be forced into this. Please believe that.” He stood, dropping the letter to a table nearby. He rounded the chair, coming towards her, delicately placing his hands on her cheeks. Any thought she might have had to escape him now vanished. She sank into his touch. Responding to her, he leaned towards her.
The touch of their lips was soft and delicate, but despite the gentleness of it, a heat raged in her, remembering what they had shared the night before, wondering what more he could introduce her to.
I cannot disappoint him now.
She knew at once that as Caroline, she should not be afraid of such a ball. So, she summoned her courage. She bravely smiled, though deep inside, her stomach was trembling.
“Well, maybe it is a little rushed,” she said, shrugging. “But I am content for a ball.”
“Wait …” Marcus looked at her, blinking. “Callie, are you saying you are happy to marry me after all? That you would be content to be my wife?” He looked so excited that his gaze would not settle. It darted between her eyes and down to her lips again.
I’d love to marry you. If only I could!
“Yes,” she said tremulously, knowing that she couldn’t deny the ball at that moment.
“Callie. I cannot tell you just how happy you have made me.” He bent down towards her and kissed her again. This time, there was nothing gentle about it. Alaina threw her arms around his neck, holding him as tight to her as possible, not wanting to let go of this moment.
