Read Online An Unconventional Courtship by Becky Lower - Free Book Online

for her tears? George was thoroughly confused, but he couldn’t leave the room without resolving his relationship with her.
    “Hello, Jane,” he said softly as he took the seat opposite her.
    “George, I’m sorry you had to face Father.”
    “It was nothing. But why are you so sad?”
    “Because I’ve been told, as I’m sure you just have, that we must marry.”
    George raised his eyes to her sharply. “And you don’t want to?”
    Her tears began anew. He handed her his handkerchief.
    “I’m very much in love, George. But I’m sad to say it’s not with you. If we marry each other to suit our parents, I’d consider myself a lucky woman. But I would never be happy.”
    The noose George had been feeling all night began to loosen, and he ran a finger around his cravat. He nearly smiled, but Jane’s tearful expression kept him somber.
    “Well then, who is the lucky gentleman?”
    “It’s Theodore Schoonover.” Jane smiled a bit as her beloved’s name rolled off her tongue. Her voice was hushed, almost as if she were praying.
    “I was unaware you even knew him beyond a few chance encounters when we were together.”
    “We met the day of the boat races. Surely you remember, George. You introduced us.”
    “Well, yes, I remember the meeting. And the chance encounter in the park. But you’ve seen him beyond those times?”
    “He came calling the day after the boat races. I must admit, I was taken with him from the moment I first laid eyes on him. I wanted to curtail the outings between you and me, since I thought I was hurting your chances of finding someone suitable, but Father insisted that we keep seeing each other. His initial impression of Theo was not the best, even with Theo’s Harvard connection, so Father told me I must continue to have you call on me. It made Theo crazy mad with jealousy.”
    George nearly smiled again. Theo was jealous of him? “So he is aware of your feelings toward him?”
    Jane smiled and brushed her hand across her lips. It made George wonder if Jane was recalling a kiss she and Theo had shared. “Yes, he is. He wants to ask for my hand before he goes back to college in the fall. I know it will be a long engagement, since he has one more year left of school, but I’ll gladly wait.” Jane sighed. “I’m sorry, George.”
    “There’s no need for sorrow, Jane. When someone’s right, you need to follow your heart. I’ll find someone soon, too, I hope. And good luck with Theo. Be sure to invite me to the wedding.”

CHAPTER NINE
    Coolness and composure were the sure way to get George to propose, but they were not so easy to pull off when Charlotte’s heart was beating as fast as a runaway horse. George had just picked her up for a ride in the park in his father’s open carriage. He held her hand as he assisted her up into the seat. She adjusted her bonnet as she waited for him to circle the curricle and take his seat beside her. Her body hummed at his nearness as her eyes followed his course.
    He stopped as he got to each of the two horses, whispered something in their ears, and fed them a sugar cube from his pockets. The process endeared him to her even more. Any man who loved horses was a good person in her book. She hoped his horses would take the carriage to a full trot and pace smartly through the park. What a sight they would make! Two matched bay horses pulling a sporty, burgundy curricle with an attractive couple sitting in it. How much better could life be?”
    George settled in next to her, and she realized life could get a whole lot better. She was already smitten with this man. How much more would it take for her to fall madly, deeply, in love with him? Not much. All he’d have to do would be to touch her, and she feared she’d melt all over him.
    As if in answer to her thoughts, he reached over and took her hand. Her limbs became limp, as if they were overcooked noodles. Not only was he the most attractive man she’d ever met, with his dark hair and