The earl made a sound, somewhere between a grunt and a gnashing of teeth.
“And does my daughter return your affections?”
He gripped the arm of his chair. “I believe she does.”
“You believe she does.” The earl ran his hands over his face. “So, there is truth to this accusation of impropriety?”
“There has been no impropriety, milord.” Adam closed his mind to memories of the passionate embrace they had shared by the lake. “I have naught but respect and admiration for your daughter.” His vision began to swim as a preposterous idea presented itself to him. “In fact, with your lordship’s permission, there is a question I would like to ask of you.”
Do I dare to ask this now? On my first meeting with the Earl of Wolvesley?
Once again, Esme’s face came before his eyes.
Her bright smile.
Her invitation that he shoulddare to dream.
The earl’s voice came as if from a great distance away.
“And what is that?”
Adam rose to his feet and straightened his spine. His voice, when he spoke, was steady and strong.
“I would like to ask for Lady Esme’s hand in marriage.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Esme’s chamber waslit only by flickering candles, for darkness had fallen over the castle like a blanket. Heavy clouds obscured any light from either the moon or the stars, so there was little to be gained by gazing out of the window.
Instead, she paced over the thick rugs on her floor and wondered how she would ever last through the long hours until the morn. Impatience scratched at her skin, making her abandon her woolen shawl and fold her arms over her white night rail. Just like down at the lake, the chill air served as welcome respite from her circling thoughts—but this time, there was no Adam to warm her with his kisses and his embrace.
What has occurred between Adam and Father?
She bit down on her lip until she tasted blood.
Why has Adam not come to find me?
God’s bones, why had Tristan insisted on playing game after game of chess; keeping her some sort of prisoner in the great hall so that she was unable to wait outside father’s solar until Adam came out?
’Twas as if Tristan and father were in league with one another.Against her.
But Tristan had sent her in search of Adam, earlier that day. And her brother was not one to switch allegiance; not unless he identified good cause.
Esme stamped her feet; the sound muffled by the thick rugs. She wished she could howl out her frustration. But that wouldonly alert the maids, who would likely bring her a sleeping draught.
Mayhap a sleeping draught would not be the worst idea. ’Twould at least see her through the long hours of night.
As if in answer to her inner thoughts, a knock sounded on her chamber door. Esme crossed the floor and flung it open, half expecting to find her lady’s maid wielding a medicine goblet.
“Mirrie,” she said in surprise.
Her sister-in-law smiled. “I hope I have not woken you, Esme?”
Esme flung out her arms. “I have no prospects of sleep this night.”
“That is what I thought.” Mirrie nodded toward the tray in her slender hands. “I have brought you some warmed milk.”
Perplexed, Esme stood back to let her in. “That is very kind.”
