A Spark of Romance (Romantic Encounters Book 3) by Paullett Golden

Author:Paullett Golden [Golden, Paullett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paullett Golden
Published: 2024-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

After two days following the Reading outing, Alistair was still awestruck at the change in Isobel. Her confidence shone in her bearing. She moved with an elegance and grace he had never witnessed from her. Everything she did was exaggerated, as though she performed a theatrical, only she was so convincing in the role that he was completely taken in by it. However much she humored herself with her feigned airs, Alistair saw only a woman realizing her potential—and oh, so potent was that potential.

He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, express his affection for her in an endearing kiss to end all kisses, and then propose. His hesitation was in not wishing to appear shallow. Her mirror must tell her what he saw. She had transformed, swanlike, from untidily frumpy but pleasantly plumpy to cravat-tighteningly curvaceous. What had been mistaken for curves of overindulgence proved in well-fitting gowns to be curves of woman. For all Alistair’s admiring—in truth, he could not tear his eyes from her—he did not wish her to think him lustful or vain. He loved her untidy frumpiness. It was part of her beauty, in his eyes, a beauty that extended from her soul outwards. He loved everything about her and all versions of her.

Still, he wished to continue with his plan to wait until after the London meeting to propose, wished it now more than ever, so she would not think him besotted by her figure alone.

They gathered in the drawing room after dinner. Aaditri and Mr. Owen busied themselves with a card game. His father had excused himself, promising to rejoin them shortly. Alistair did not think he would notice when or if his father rejoined. His attention was riveted on Isobel. They were attempting a card game of their own, but she had won every hand since he could do little more than gaze upon her, a lamb enthralled by her divinity.

He played a card without so much as a glance at the card table. “To upset your mother, this I do not wish. I must meet her approval before we are to progress.”

Isobel studied her cards with care, glancing from the table to her hand and back. “About that.” Furrowed brows softened as she chose her card and laid it on the table. “I’ve been giving it a good deal of thought, and while I don’t want you to consider me disrespectful, I believe a letter will suffice.” She glanced at him from over the fan of cards. “Don’t look so aghast. I told her about you. I begged her to come home so you may court me. Aaditri begged her, as well. Is it our fault she did not believe you were serious? The truth is, Alistair, if we wait for her approval, we’ll never progress. A letter will suffice.”

He tossed a random card. “But I wish not to seem a blackguard. She will think poorly of me. Is not the correct way for me to seek her approval? I will dispense of letters and go to her directly if I must.

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