The Earl Who Loved Her by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2017-11-13T18:30:00+00:00

4

Bryce knew what his butler was going to say before he opened his mouth. “My lord,” Radcliff began in that dry affected tone of his. “Regarding Miss Potter…”

Eve.

Bryce hadn’t been able to get her name out of his head since she’d mentioned it to him the previous day.

“Yes, Radcliff, I am aware of the impropriety of her prolonged stay here, but what would you have me do? I cannot throw her out, nor am I able to transport her to Amberly Hall. So what choice do I have but to ensure she is comfortable and well cared for while she is here?”

“None whatsoever,” was Radcliff’s shocking reply.

Bryce stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

The older man raised his bushy eyebrows, took a step forward, and closed the door to Bryce’s study behind him. “If I may speak plainly, my lord?”

“Of course.” Bryce leaned back in his chair. He was more than a little curious to hear what his butler was going to say.

“When Miss Potter first arrived,” Radcliff began, “I was very much opposed to the idea of her remaining here, even though there was no alternative, given the road conditions.”

“Your point?”

“Well, the thing of it is…” Radcliff drew a deep breath. “After the incident, your lordship has stopped all attempts at courtship, so I was thinking, hoping actually, with Miss Potter spending several nights here in your home without chaperone, you might consider making an offer. Of marriage, that is.”

It was something Bryce had been thinking over, though he did not say so. He was far too intrigued by the fact Radcliff appeared to be blushing. “I have not compromised her,” he murmured.

“No one will know that.”

Wincing, Bryce met his butler’s eyes directly. “You’re right there. Everyone will think the worst.”

“Then perhaps—”

“Miss Potter deserves a choice. She did not stay here of her own free will. On the contrary, she made a valiant effort to leave. So I intend to help her do so once the roads become passable. If it comes to it, I expect you and the rest of the servants to say she was never alone in my company.” Yesterday, he’d decided not to let her go. Today, with a clearer mind, he’d acknowledged that doing so was his only option. For one thing, he wouldn’t keep her by force, and for another, she had to be given the freedom to make her own decision.

Radcliff nodded. “You have my full support, my lord, though I do wish you would reconsider. Seems to me the two of you would get on well as husband and wife.”

“Not when she finds out about what I did.”

Radcliff snorted. “You did nothing wrong.”

“Nobody has ever believed that. Not even my own family.” His shoulders grew tense so Bryce made an effort to relax them.

“Yet another reason for me not to like them.”

Bryce smiled. He appreciated the loyalty. “But you like Miss Potter?”

“I do. Which is why I think it might be best if you were to tell her what happened yourself.”

“It won’t change her purpose in coming here.

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