Promise of the Earl_Season of Brides by Joyce Alec

Author:Joyce Alec [Alec, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-28T05:00:00+00:00

8

One week later and Edward found himself sitting idly by the window, looking out across the gloomy London streets with nothing but the thought of Dorothea on his mind.

It had been a busy week, for he had immediately began courting Miss Earnest, just as he had said he would. Despite the many fears that had clouded his mind, he had discovered that Miss Earnest was not in any way embarrassed or ashamed to be seen out with him. She did not shirk when someone openly stared at them, nor did she turn away from the idea of going out walking with him.

The way she had given those two gentlemen a set down had quite taken his breath away. No one had ever stood up for him in such a fashion. Whilst he had not required her aid in that particular matter, he had been greatly obliged that she had done so. In fact, she seemed quite at ease in his company now. They had talked a good deal, and he had discovered she was both quick-witted and intelligent – although a little too intelligent for his liking. He felt as though he ought to delve into the depths of his library and read almost everything he could get his hands on in an attempt to improve himself so that he might keep up with his bride-to-be.

The way he felt about his bride-to-be, however, was quite another matter. When he had pressed his lips to her hand the day they had been walking in St James’s Park, it had been as though a lightning strike had occurred right in between the two of them. He had felt the ground shake beneath him, his whole body suddenly alive with a strange new sensation that he had both welcomed and rejected in equal measure. She was remarkably pretty, but to have such a strong reaction to the lady was more than he had expected. In addition, he was quite sure that there was more about her father that she kept from him. Edward could not forget how the light had faded from her eyes the moment she had mentioned Lord Gaines. She had shuddered at one point too, when the discussion had turned onto her father. Was there a fear there? A dread? What was it about Lord Gaines that frightened her so?

During his musings on this over the last few days, Edward had come upon something that had troubled him all the more. It had continued to dog his thoughts, to the point that he could never seem to forget it.

“Lost in the thoughts of love, are we?”

Edward snorted, not needing to turn his head to know that Lord Johnston had come into the room.

“I hardly think so, Johnston. Do come in, however. Have a brandy, if you care to. It will not be long until we must make our way to Lord Hankel’s soiree.”

“Another ball,” Johnston chuckled, pouring two brandies and handing one to Edward. “Anyone would think that you liked such things, Turner.

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