Page 46 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

“Or, your gentlemanly upbringing is causing guilt and you want to assuage it by marrying me.”

He drew back and something painful in his eyes flickered, but too fast for her to determine what it had been. “Believe me, sweetheart, I know all about guilt. This is not guilt.” He moved away, clearly agitated.

She certainly did not want to be someone’s penance, but there was no question about the attraction they had for each other. He was handsome, titled, wealthy, and charming. He had a strong sense of honor, and when she was with him she felt protected.

Before the problem with her father, she would have happily accepted an offer from Lord Hawkins. However, when she had relied on her own resourcefulness, she’d made a nice life for herself with Lord and Lady Wycliff. She was reluctant to place her trust and very life into the care of another man—look at what her father had done! If Hawk had not been Wycliff’s cousin, she might have remained there for many years, happy and content.

But Hawk was Wycliff’s cousin, he had been summoned by the Home Office to turn her in, and he was her only source of protection now.

Was the mistake not trusting Hawk or trusting him too much?

Chapter Twenty

Hawk held his breath as Lizzie pondered the idea of marriage. He’d always avoided the subject as if it were a fatal disease. But if he were ever to marry, which he would have to do one day anyway, Lady Elizabeth was the perfect choice.

Despite the problems she currently faced, she was everything a countess should be. Raised as a lady, she’d been well prepared to run a household and supervise staff. She was aware of proper protocol, was smart, beautiful, and gracious. Based on what he’d seen so far, her hostess skills would be above par. She lov

ed children, and he hoped to have many. Which, of course, made him laugh, because up until a little over a week ago, he’d found children something to avoid at all costs.

Wycliff had been right. The idea of one’s own children, especially when one considered who those children’s mother would be, made it all a lot more palatable. Shoving one’s children off to be raised by nurses and governesses, despite what he’d thought earlier, was not the best method of dealing with the little darlings.

The major plus was, as her husband, he could protect her, even from the Home Office, if necessary.

Realizing she still hadn’t answered his question, he asked, “Please don’t tell me you are waiting for me to drop to my knees.”

Her smile was more rewarding than a win at vingt-et-un. “But isn’t that the proper way to request a lady’s hand in marriage, my lord?”

“You’ve received so many offers, then?” He waved his hand. “Never mind.” He bowed. “I shall do this properly.”

Once he was on one knee, he took her hand in his. “Lady Elizabeth Munro, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife and making me the happiest of men in all the kingdom?”

After his nonsense, she studied him in a way that looked as though she would still refuse him. Her lips tightened, she inhaled deeply and let out a sigh, glancing away from him. “Yes, my lord. I will accept your offer of marriage.”

Although she sounded anything but happy and excited, he was nevertheless relieved. No more running away, attempting to disappear, and placing herself in harm’s way. He would straighten out her predicament, and then he would go on with his life.

As a married man.

He climbed to his feet and pulled her up, placing a more decorous kiss than he wanted on her lips. But plans needed to be made, and time was running short. “Very well. We shall travel on to London as quickly as possible.”

She grasped his upper arms and pleaded with him, “I am as anxious as you to see this all come to an end, but I beg you for a day or two to rest before we travel again.”

The poor girl did look exhausted. She had been through quite a bit. A tumble from a horse, escaping Wycliff Manor, attacked in her room, and then ferried off to his estate. “I agree, my love. We shall have two days of nothing more than eating, sleeping, and perhaps walks in the garden. Will that suffice?”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes and smiled. “That sounds absolutely wonderful. Thank you.”

The dark circles under her eyes and lines on her forehead confirmed he’d made the right decision.

“I would like to meet your mother and sister. I have spent time at various balls that they had attended, but I don’t believe we’ve ever been formally introduced. Shall we wait up?”

“They will be here in the morning. Now I think a small sherry and then off to bed with you is the best plan.”

Although she looked as though she intended to argue, she nodded. “Yes. I believe that is a fine idea.”

He moved to the sidebar and poured them both a drink. Sherry for her, brandy for him. While her problem was fatigue, his had nothing to do with weariness and everything to do with Lizzie sleeping down the corridor from his bedchamber. He wanted her. Plain and simple. She stirred him like no other woman, and having had her once only increased his appetite for her luscious body. However, he would not dishonor his mother by making love to Lizzie while they were under the same roof and not legally married.

“Since our journey to London will be delayed by two days, I will send a dispatch to Cam and have him obtain the special license for us. Then we can marry as soon as we reach London, so there will be no taint on your reputation.”

Lizzie took a sip of sherry. “Thank you for that. Although my reputation is sullied anyway, I still do not want to add ruined to my list of transgressions.”