“Please let me explain. I know I am unworthy of her, and I am sure I have taken you completely by surprise with this request. You told me that when you first saw Edwina, the world shifted beneath your feet. For me, it has developed gradually and unexpectedly. I haven’t seen her in years, and when I last did, she was very young. I only thought of her as my friend’s younger sister. But she has blossomed into a beautiful woman, and when she arrived here, I felt that shift inside of me as you did with Edwina. She steals my breath away with her beauty, her winsome charm, and her exuberant joy for life. To be honest, I’ve never met a girl like her. Now, you know me. I do not beat about the bush when I am clear in my mind about something. And I am very clear about my feelings for your sister. I am more than willing to wait as long as it takes to win her.”
Lex laid his cue down on the table. “I confess that I am surprised and didn’t see this coming. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own problems and my feelings for Edwina that I was completely oblivious to your own quest for a bride.” He held out his hand. “I could not in a million years find a man worthier of Tess, or a man I trust more with her future and happiness. You are like a brother to me, and to call you brother in the real sense would be my honor.”
“Thank you, Lex.” Basil shook his hand firmly. “I will not disappoint you.”
Lex chuckled. “You might want to inform the lady of your intentions. I believe she may have her own feelings as to the matter.”
Basil’s excitement and happiness lit up the room. “Fear not—I have every intention to make my feelings clear to her before this weekend ends. I am filled with relief knowing you approve.”
Lex slapped his friend on the back. “Imagine, my friend, if both our hearts’ desires are met with encouragement. It will be the beginning of a new life for us both.”
Chapter Eighteen
The candles hadburned low in the candleholders, and the port decanter was nearly empty. The older ladies and gentlemen rose. Everyone bade goodnight to the dowagers and Lord Waverly and Countess Rose, who were also retiring for the evening.
After the ladies and Lord Waverly left, Basil turned to the rest of the dinner guests. “It is a lovely evening with a full moon. I suggest we take a stroll through the garden before we retire for the evening. My mother is correct—we have an eventful day of foxhunting tomorrow.”
One of the Farnsworth twins, Augusta, clapped her hands. “What a lovely idea, Basil. I should like very much to get some air.”
The moon was high in the sky as the group walked a path to the lake. Basil led the way with Tess and the rambunctious Augusta on his arms, while Lex escorted Winnie and Arabella, the other Farnsworth twin. Charles and Elliot, who walked with a cane, followed behind deep in conversation, debating a recent deliberation taken up by the House of Commons.
Winnie glanced at Lex’s chiseled profile and caught his eye before she could look away. His knowing smile made the blood rush through her veins heatedly. Arabella gushed on about what a good sport theirbrother was. The girls clearly adored him, and he reciprocated their admiration in every way, always deferring to their interests and concerns. “Elliot, what will you do tomorrow during the hunt?” she asked.
“Do not worry about me, sister. I know Basil’s library is filled with enough books to hold my interest. I care not in the least that I shan’t be traipsing around the countryside chasing after a fox.”
“I almost wish I could join you in a quiet day among Basil’s impressive collection,” Lex said.
“Are you fond of books?” Winnie asked him.
“I am indeed. There is nothing more pleasing than losing oneself in the pages of history. So much can be learned from what has happened before.”
Arabella wrinkled her nose. “For me, there is nothing as boring as reading dusty books and the recounting of old news. I’d much rather be out amidst nature riding my chestnut, Birch.”
“Oh, balderdash,” said Augusta, shaking her strawberry-colored curls. “Great minds do not spend all of their days in the saddle. One needs to be a well-rounded individual. Even Father, who has devoted his life to the breeding of horses, has other interests. Nothing could be more boring than hearing day and night about hay, oats, salves, or which horse came up lame today.”
Winnie giggled at the sisterly bantering. The twins were as opposite as night and day, but she had quickly taken a genuine liking to them both. Their chattering filled the lapses of silence that would have occurred without them as she and Lex snuck glances at one another all evening. Neither seemed the least bit interested in Basil or Lexington in a romantic way, which might have created some discomfort had it been otherwise.
When they reached the water’s edge, Lex gently took Winnie’s elbow and led her away from the group, saying, “I want to show you something you might find of interest. An ancient tree Basil and I used to play beneath as lads.”
They walked toward the boathouse where a massive oak tree stood nearby. Lex quickly pulled her behind the tree, took her into his arms, and kissed her. His kiss sent sparks flying inside of her, and she pressed against him, feeling every hardened muscle in his body. She sighed when he withdrew his lips, not wanting the kiss to end. Heeding her encouragement, he trailed his lips down the column of her neck, and her knees weakened. His deep, masculine moan penetrated her ability to resist. It would have been a lie to say she didn’t welcome his advances. All she wanted was to feel those lips on every part of her body. She was unable to maintain any decorum when he touched her. It was a feeling that she was now certain only he could evoke.
“Edwina, my love, I don’t know how long I can refrain from ravishing you from head to toe.” To hear him call hermy lovefilled her with warmth from head to toe. “I have thought of no one but you since meeting you in London,” he growled as he trailed kisses along her jaw, making a delicious shiver course through her. “I confess, our intimate encounter at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s dinner has taken up permanent residence in my mind, for I think about it constantly. After your sudden departure from London, I feared you had changed your mind without giving me a chance to explain myself. I understand what occurred was an anomaly for you; it certainly was for me. I cherish the memory and only wish to build upon it.”
Winnie caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry. I was just feeling overwhelmed, I think. I worried that Hammond would make good on his threat, and I did not want to ruin your chance of finding a good match if he sought to sully my reputation,” she whispered, her gaze skittering away from him. There was another reason, but she could not tell him about being the Lace Bandit. At least, not yet.
Lex rubbed her back as he spoke, and it made her want to curl up in his lap like a kitten and purr. “I will kill the fiend if he so much as looks in your direction.”
“Exactly what I fear most. You’d be arrested and detained in the gaol. That would be the worst possible conclusion.”
A chuckle rose from the depths of his chest. “One of only a thousand reasons why I need you by my side. Your forethought will keep my impulsive actions in their proper place. Edwina, marry me and make me the happiest man in the world.”
Winnie blinked back sudden tears. “Lex, I—I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s quite simple,” he said. “Say, ‘Yes, Lex, I will marry you and make you the happiest man in the world.’”
“Please…” Her hands traveled up the front of his coat. “I will consider it, but you must allow me the time to get used to the notion.”
“Why in God’s name do you hesitate?” he said. “I have been nothing but honest about my intentions from the first. Surely you know that I want to make you mine. That I want you to be my wife.”
