The Rose and the Viscount (Ravishing Rosewoods Book 2) by Jillian Eaton

Author:Jillian Eaton [Eaton, Jillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-13T23:00:00+00:00

10

Bad Jam Tarts

“Is this seat taken?” asked Lord Croft, nodding at the chair beside Bridget.

Servants moved along the long walls of the dining room, dousing the lights as they went and plunging the space into darkness save a line of candles at the far end that illuminated a hastily constructed stage made of tables covered in drapes. Bedsheets pinned to the walls provided a neutral backdrop, while a writing desk, settee, and matching benches formed a rudimentary parlor for the first scene in a play that was about to begin any minute.

Put on by a traveling theater group, the play was supposed to have been performed under the stars on the rear lawn, but rain had forced everyone inside. They’d have gone to the ballroom, but that, too, was unusable as it was currently being set up for the grand commencement festivities tomorrow evening.

It didn’t feel possible that the house party was almost over. The weeks had flown by in a whirlwind, particularly the last two. Anticipation of a proposal had kept Bridget on her toes, but every night she’d tromped up to bed flatfooted, for while Lord Croft had accompanied her on walks around the estate, a ride on horseback through the neighboring hillside, and nearly every dinner, he’d not yet asked her to marry him.

Her frustration and confusion at his reluctance to get down on bended knee was tempered by the fact that they were getting on splendidly. While there hadn’t been any more kisses, their conversations were articulate and plentiful, with none of the icy silence and fiery passion that they’d vacillated between at the beginning of their courtship.

Lord Croft was cordial and polite; the perfect gentleman suitor. He’d brought her a bouquet of flowers picked by his own hand, a book of poetry with her name embossed on the cover in gold, and beautiful hair combs made of polished onyx that she was wearing tonight. He had placed a rose on her plate in the morning and complimented her appearance in the afternoon. He had done everything that a man ought to do when he was courting a woman. But it was what he hadn’t done that she found herself dwelling on more often than not.

He hadn’t shared anything personal about himself.

He hadn’t stared at her with banked fire in his eyes.

And worst of all, he hadn’t kissed her.

By contrast, the Duke of Monmouth was trailing after Lenora like a love-struck puppy. Every time Bridget happened to catch a glance of Perth out of the corner of her eye she saw him gazing adoringly at her sister. While they hadn’t come out and announced anything publicly, it was obvious to anyone who had eyes in their head that the two were smitten with each other. Even if they weren’t willing to admit it. And while Bridget was elated for Lenora, it didn’t help to be presented with a daily example of what true love should look like.

“By all means,” she said demurely, sweeping her skirts aside so that Lord Croft had room to sit beside her.

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.