Read Online How to Wed an Earl by Ivory Lei - Free Book Online

belonged to
him
, even if she didn’t realize it yet. Even if her own father didn’t realize it. If he had to, he’d prove it to her over and over, until she was convinced. He realized his hands had clenched into fists and he forced himself to relax.
    “Lucas,” Dr. Walker began, the man’s brown eyes regarding him quizzically. “I believe you are here to make your intentions known.”
    He grabbed Penelope’s hand, making her jump. “Yes, sir. I’m here to marry my fiancée.”
    Dr. Walker rounded on him. “And you could not even be bothered to ask me for her hand?”
    “Her father already gave me her hand,” he pointed out, ignoring Penelope’s warning squeeze.
    “I may not have sired her,” Dr. Walker was shaking with fury, “but
I
brought her into this world.
I
raised her, and
I
have been more of a father to her than Lord Maitland ever was!”
    “Calm down, Robert,” Eleanor admonished. “His lordship is not leaving you out of the equation. That is the reason he is here.” She faced Lucas with a gentle smile. “I was sorry to hear of your parents’ demise, my lord. I was acquainted with your mother. You must miss Vivian very much.”
    His hold on Penelope’s hand tightened. “My mother died in childbirth two years before my father did.”
    Eleanor winced. “I know, but as with your father’s death, I found out about it long after the fact. Maitland rarely came home and when he did, he never told me any news from London.” Eleanor looked at him with sad eyes. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when your parents passed.”
    Hell, she looked like she was about to cry. “It was a long time ago, madam.”
    “Of course.” Eleanor gave a suspicious sniff. “Excuse me. I will go check on supper.” She left the room with her head bowed.
    Penelope finally joined the conversation. “How is Lady Olivia?”
    She knew about Olivia?
She seemed to know a lot more about him than he did of her. “My sister is preparing for her first Season, and she’s excited to meet you.” He gave a faint smile, relieved to be talking about something other than his mother.
    “And when will that meeting be?” Dr. Walker asked, eyeing their entwined hands.
    “As soon as possible. I procured a special license before leaving London, and I have brought it with me in the event that Penelope agrees to marry me.”
    “She hasn’t agreed?” Colin asked, his eyes curious.
    Everyone looked at Penelope, their expressions all asking the same question.
    Lucas saw the dangerous spark in Penelope’s hazel eyes, and he acted swiftly to prevent her from causing any sort of mischief. “She told me she deserves to be courted properly, and I completely agree,” he said, reciting one of the lines of dialogue Penelope had suggested in her note. “That means we’ll also have some time to get to know each other a little better before we marry.”
    “Well, it would certainly be nice for you to get to know us, son,” Dr. Walker intoned. “But we already know all there is to know about you.”
    Dr. Walker grinned when he gave a start. “You didn’t know that, did you? Our Polly has researched you as thoroughly as she does our medical cases. Of course, that was years ago, when we all believed you were going to come for her.” Dr. Walker scowled. “You are very late, Ravenstone.”
    Lucas felt an odd sense of loss when Penelope let go of his hand.
    “Really, Papa,” she said. “That comment is hardly appropriate for polite conversation.”
    He claimed Penelope’s hand again, knowing it would be advantageous to show a united front. Besides, he liked holding her hand. But he owed her stepfather an explanation. He gave it now without hesitation. “I apologize for not coming here sooner,” he said sincerely. “If I had known I would be welcome here, I would have come years before.”
    “Years before?” Dr. Walker echoed. “Don’t you mean before you became known as Raving Ravenstone?”
    “Papa!” Penelope burst out.