How to Marry a Major by Tina Holland

Author:Tina Holland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dutch Girl Press
Published: 2024-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Silence and furtive glances cast a pall on dinner, and as soon as his brother and Amelia stood, Myles rose from his chair. He caught Charlotte’s sleeve and steered her into the garden before she could protest.

Charlotte was radiant this evening, and he recognized the gown as the color she had worn when they first met. Though the dress fit better, it was slightly faded. Yet, the dove gray gown was more suited to her than some of the more extravagant gowns and now discarded habits she’d borrowed. Charlotte’s hair was unadorned and still damp from what he was sure was an intensive cleansing, given how the mud had frosted her like a baker’s cake earlier. Imagining her in the tub caused a tightening in his breeches. She could not say yes soon enough.

If you are married to her, you can have her whenever and wherever you wish, including the tub.

“We should get married!” he blurted.

She stopped. “What?”

He fixed her with a stare. She was... shocked... no... irritated. “I propose we marry.”

She shook her head. “Ashton,” she sighed and rested a hand on his arm. “We have a perfectly good ruse. Why would you want to spoil it with actual matrimony?”

“Given what happened this afternoon, I’m not certain we have a choice.”

She frowned. “I don’t believe anyone will say anything.”

“Then you are being naïve,” he said bluntly. “I’m afraid I must insist. As much as I hate to agree with her, Joan was correct - you are compromised.” A deep part of him wanted her and did not care by what means necessary.

“I am not some innocent person who requires the good intentions of Lady Worthington or Amelia.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you insisting?”

“I must admit, I find you more fascinating than any woman of my past, and I desire you.” He clenched his jaw as silent moments passed before she spoke.

“Please understand, I do not want to marry anyone.”

The sadness, no, fear in her eyes was almost enough to halt him.

Seeing the change on her face, he wanted to put all the pieces together. “What happened, Charlotte?”

Biting her lip, she looked away. “It’s not of import.”

“It is. Our marriage could stand between you and happiness.” Myles couldn’t believe the words bursting from his mouth. Marriage was not something he conceived of until Charlotte. She was bringing about changes in him.

“Why are you concerned about my happiness? You do not have to get married. You have an estate that requires your attention. Do you not?”

“Well, yes. However, it is wrong to leave things unsettled between us.”

Her smooth brow furrowed. “And your solution is we marry?”

“Yes.” The more he considered a lifetime with this woman, the more he liked the idea of her by his side. Even with his ward and her mother on the Mosswin estate, he imagined it would be lonely without Charlotte.

She gave him a pained stare as she wrung her hands. “I am not sure marriage is the solution. I have another idea.”

“Such as?” He waited for the other boot to drop.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.