The Impetuous Heiress by Alina K. Field

Author:Alina K. Field [Field, Alina K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944063351
Publisher: Havenlock Press

Grandfather’s Blessing

26 September, 1822

Lady Clitheroe’s Estate, Bedfordshire

Soft tapping at her door sent her senses to full alert and she hurried to answer it.

Fitz slipped in silently, quietly closing the door and turning the key in the lock. The very air around them crackled.

“You had fair weather for your journey today,” she said awkwardly.

He’d returned to Lady Clitheroe’s that evening, and they’d had no more than the briefest of moments alone before announcing their engagement to their hostess and their guests.

He smiled. “You wish to discuss the weather?”

She took in a breath, shook her head, and laughed. “No.” I wish to kiss you, and more. “Tell me what Grandfather said when he gave his blessing.”

He withdrew a letter from inside his coat. “Read for yourself.”

She broke the seal and scanned the few lines of the shaky hand that had become familiar to her. Grandfather’s more recent letters had been written by his secretary, but often he included a postscript in his own hand. This entire note he’d written himself.

It was short and to the point. “Well then,” she said.

“I take it he’s not made a liar out of me? Will you share what he wrote?”

This is a good match with a sensible man, Mary Elizabeth. Don’t be headstrong. Secure his hand, Granddaughter.

“He approves,” she said.

“It’s what he told me as well. I also received detailed instructions on the settlement agreement, which, on my honor, I will comply with.”

Grandfather hadn’t included those details in his note. She supposed they would be self-evident when the document was prepared.

Secure his hand.

She tossed the letter aside and went to him. His eyes glowed darkly down at her.

“Are you sure, Fitz? Any one of those young ladies downstairs—”

“I don’t want them. I want you.”

She stepped into his welcoming arms and pressed her cheek to his pounding heart. On the mantel, the candle flames flared like the spiraling warmth of her insides.

Secure his hand, Grandfather had said. She was only too willing. Yet Papa’s voice whispered at her other ear: Beware the stuffed-up lordlings, the fortune hunters, the bounders.

Fingers swept over her cheek, moving on to burrow into her hair. Pins scattered. Fitz spun her around and completed the job, sending a cascade of tangles around her. He swept her hair aside and the next sensation was the press of his lips and the tickle of breath on her neck. Pleasure rippled through her as his warmth came around her.

And then he stepped away, leaving her shivering. He marched to the hearth and added fuel to the low fire her hostess had provided for the chilly autumn night.

“There,” he said, standing and dusting his hands. “Come and sit.”

Oh, he was magnificent, framed by the flickering candles and glowing fire, a bronzed god.

And he wanted her?

“I must ask you, Fitz. Did you request money from my Grandfather?”

“I did not. Nor did he offer any. I asked for his blessing, Mel, out of respect for him and for you. I am not as wealthy as he—nor will I be, someday, may it be many years in the future when I inherit, but you will live comfortably and well.

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