Read Online Good Earl Hunting by Suzanne Enoch - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Suzanne Enoch
Ads: Link
idea of romantic love after seeing the way your sister went about finding a husband. By the time your father’s invitation arrived I’d begun debating whether I could simply appear on your doorstep without being dragged off to Bedlam.”
Her sensuous mouth curved in a slow smile. “You make a very good argument, you know. And since we’re being honest, I...wished that you had looked at me that night and said you weren’t interested in Belle. That you wanted me.”
“I do want you,” he whispered. “When I arrived here I hoped – desperately hoped – that I hadn’t ruined everything, and that you would be the image I’d built of you.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “And was I?”
Geoffrey shook his head. “No. You are infinitely more. And so while I previously fell in love with the idea of you, since I’ve arrived at Beldath I’ve fallen for the actual you. I love you, Theo. If you wish it, I’ll spend the next four months calling on you and bringing you posies and taking you for drives, and then I will ask you to marry me.”
Theodora took an unsteady breath. “If I wish it?”
“If you wish it. Or I could do this, and we could see to all those other things after.” With a hard breath of his own he sank down on one knee, taking both her hands in both of his. They shook, though he couldn’t be certain whether he or she was the more unsteady.
“Geoffrey,” she whispered, tears glinting in her grass green eyes.
“Theodora Louisa Meacham, I would be the happiest man in the world if you would be my love, my partner, my companion. Theo, will you marry me?”
For a long moment Theodora looked down at his upturned face. This man, the one she’d daydreamed about before she’d dismissed the notion as folly, was everything she’d ever wanted and had never thought to find. Was one day enough for her to decide the rest of her life? On the other hand, how many days was she supposed to wait?
She nodded, a pair of warm tears rolling down her cheeks. “I love you too, you know,” she managed. “Yes, Geoffrey, I will marry you.”
Practically leaping to his feet, he gathered her into his arms, kissing her hot and openmouthed. “I knew it wasn’t just me,” he murmured. “I knew you felt it, too.”
Oh, she did. Just when she’d gone from wary cynic to believer in fairy tales she had no idea, but she knew – she knew – that this was meant to be. Theo laughed against his mouth as the drawing room door burst open and her family and friends piled into the hallway to offer their somewhat incredulous congratulations.
And to think, this morning she’d been complaining about a fox hunt, when the hunter had actually been after her. And she was exceedingly happy to be caught.
THE END
About the Author
A lifelong lover of books, Suzanne Enoch has been writing them since she learned to read. She is the author of two well-received Avon Regencies, The Black Duke's Prize and Angel's Devil, and five Avon Romances: Lady Rogue, Stolen Kisses, By Love Undone, Taming Rafe and Reforming a Rake. Born and raised in Southern California, Suzanne lives a few scant miles from Disneyland with her collection of Star Wars action figures and a Cairn terrier named Katie (after the heroine of her first Regency). She's still looking for her own hero, and hopes he will be handsome, titled, and just a little wicked. Meanwhile, she's currently at work inventing him in her next historical romance.
To learn more, please visit Suzanne Enoch's website.
Her sensuous mouth curved in a slow smile. “You make a very good argument, you know. And since we’re being honest, I...wished that you had looked at me that night and said you weren’t interested in Belle. That you wanted me.”
“I do want you,” he whispered. “When I arrived here I hoped – desperately hoped – that I hadn’t ruined everything, and that you would be the image I’d built of you.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “And was I?”
Geoffrey shook his head. “No. You are infinitely more. And so while I previously fell in love with the idea of you, since I’ve arrived at Beldath I’ve fallen for the actual you. I love you, Theo. If you wish it, I’ll spend the next four months calling on you and bringing you posies and taking you for drives, and then I will ask you to marry me.”
Theodora took an unsteady breath. “If I wish it?”
“If you wish it. Or I could do this, and we could see to all those other things after.” With a hard breath of his own he sank down on one knee, taking both her hands in both of his. They shook, though he couldn’t be certain whether he or she was the more unsteady.
“Geoffrey,” she whispered, tears glinting in her grass green eyes.
“Theodora Louisa Meacham, I would be the happiest man in the world if you would be my love, my partner, my companion. Theo, will you marry me?”
For a long moment Theodora looked down at his upturned face. This man, the one she’d daydreamed about before she’d dismissed the notion as folly, was everything she’d ever wanted and had never thought to find. Was one day enough for her to decide the rest of her life? On the other hand, how many days was she supposed to wait?
She nodded, a pair of warm tears rolling down her cheeks. “I love you too, you know,” she managed. “Yes, Geoffrey, I will marry you.”
Practically leaping to his feet, he gathered her into his arms, kissing her hot and openmouthed. “I knew it wasn’t just me,” he murmured. “I knew you felt it, too.”
Oh, she did. Just when she’d gone from wary cynic to believer in fairy tales she had no idea, but she knew – she knew – that this was meant to be. Theo laughed against his mouth as the drawing room door burst open and her family and friends piled into the hallway to offer their somewhat incredulous congratulations.
And to think, this morning she’d been complaining about a fox hunt, when the hunter had actually been after her. And she was exceedingly happy to be caught.
THE END
About the Author
A lifelong lover of books, Suzanne Enoch has been writing them since she learned to read. She is the author of two well-received Avon Regencies, The Black Duke's Prize and Angel's Devil, and five Avon Romances: Lady Rogue, Stolen Kisses, By Love Undone, Taming Rafe and Reforming a Rake. Born and raised in Southern California, Suzanne lives a few scant miles from Disneyland with her collection of Star Wars action figures and a Cairn terrier named Katie (after the heroine of her first Regency). She's still looking for her own hero, and hopes he will be handsome, titled, and just a little wicked. Meanwhile, she's currently at work inventing him in her next historical romance.
To learn more, please visit Suzanne Enoch's website.
Similar Books
