The Bachelor Earl by Burke Darcy

Author:Burke, Darcy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-944576-93-6
Publisher: Darcy Burke Publishing
Published: 2020-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

After spending a lovely evening with Peter—Mr. Sterling had insisted she call him by his first name—Genie was more torn than ever. She’d been unable to sleep until late into the night.

But then she’d awakened with a remarkable clarity: if she loved Edmund, why would she consider marrying another? Because Peter had children? Genie did too. She had a stepson—a son—she loved more than anything.

Edmund, however, did not. Would he consider a future with her knowing she couldn’t give him a child? She wouldn’t blame him if he couldn’t. Even so, she didn’t think she could live with herself if she didn’t tell him how she felt.

Which meant she had to see him. Right away. Now that she knew what she wanted, what she must do, she couldn’t wait. Unfortunately, his estate was two days away at least, if the weather cooperated.

First, however, she had to give Peter her answer to his proposal. He would be here shortly. In the meantime, she instructed her maid to pack for a trip and asked her butler to inform the stable to prepare her coach.

When Peter arrived, she greeted him in the sitting room as she’d done the day before. He kissed her hand and looked at her expectantly. “I don’t wish to press you for a decision, but I am ever hopeful.”

“I told you I would have an answer today, and I do.” She turned toward the seating area and gestured to the settee. “Shall we sit?”

She went to stand in front of her chair, and he moved to the settee. He seemed to realize she wasn’t going to sit beside him, because he glanced at the settee and then her chair and frowned.

Genie sat down, and he followed, slowly sinking to the settee. She’d rehearsed what to say, but the words flew from her mind. “Mr. Sterling—Peter. I’m afraid I must refuse your wonderful proposal.”

His frown returned and deepened. “If it’s wonderful, why would you refuse it?”

Oh dear, was he going to be difficult? No, she would give him the benefit of the doubt. He would be disappointed, of course. “Because I love another.” It was the truth, and she saw no reason to lie. “It is no fault of yours, I assure you. If not for…this other person, I believe I would have accepted your proposal.”

Yes, she would have. Cecilia was right—she didn’t like being alone.

He pressed his lips together, his eyes darkening as he averted his gaze toward the window. At length, he said, “I see. I am disappointed.”

“For that, I am sorry.”

“Your letters were rather encouraging,” he said with a hint of accusation.

Damn, apparently he was going to be difficult. She wanted to be on her way!

“I thought we might suit, but I realized yesterday that I have deep feelings for someone else. I would have communicated that to you in my next letter—instead of inviting you to visit, which you did anyway.” She let her own accusation float in the air between them.

“Yes, and it was quite a journey.

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