Page 28 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“So, they know it all?”
“They do and they understand the circumstances quite well. We reached a fair and reasonable settlement without much ado.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said cautiously.
“You are well provided for during our marriage and after, if I should pass before you, as are any children we may have. We can discuss the details later.”
Alexander had only just uttered the words when Elizabeth heard one of the pups cry in alarm. She jumped to her feet and rushed to the water’s edge but before she knew it Alexander ran past her and waded into the stream. Apparently, Princess had gotten caught between a fallen branch and the opposite shore. Alexander disentangled her and brought her to Elizabeth.
“You poor thing,” she murmured as Alexander walked back to the log cradling Princess. They both sat down on the log so they could examine the pup.
“Thankfully she is unharmed,” he reassured her after he had given her the once-over.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief when he rested Princess down. Teague joined Princess and they both shook their furs sending a cascade of droplets all over Elizabeth and Alexander who burst into a fit of laughter.
“I believe this means we must return to the manor,” he said between laughs. Alexander stood and Elizabeth observed that his wet breaches clung to his muscular thighs. She quickly averted her gaze from his thighs to his face, but clearly not before he noticed as he arched a brow.
She looked toward the manor. “Shall we?” They walked with the pups running alongside them.
Alexander broke the silence as they approached the courtyard, “There is more that I need to share with you and I shall at dinner. I will see you then.”
“As you wish,” she replied as the butler admitted her.
Elizabeth thought she looked dreadful and she most certainly needed a bath. She asked the butler to arrange for the puppies to be dried before they entered the manor. Princess and Teague did not seem too pleased about it but they would see it was for just a short time.
Elizabeth mused as she ascended the stairs. She recognized that she enjoyed the time she spent with Alexander on the walk. It was not strained and she considered this to be a good sign considering how things were on the last occasion they were together. She entered her bedchamber and found her lady’s maid was present. Perfumed water was already on the way to Elizabeth. She went straight to her armoire and chose a red dress with a V-shaped bodice from her trousseau. Her lady’s made prepared her undergarments.
The hot water had been poured into a tub and Elizabeth was pleased to sink into it while her maid washed her. She closed her eyes and relaxed. She thought she must be lonely and starved for company for she was actually grateful he had returned. She thought to languish for longer but her tummy was rumbling rather embarrassingly. Her maid dressed her and she was content with her reflection in the mirror before she made her way downstairs to the drawing room.
She opened the door to find Alexander seated with a glass of sherry. Her gaze did not dwell on him for long as there were items in the corner of the room that caught her eye. She excitedly walked over and came face to face with an easel that was at least six feet tall and very well made. She had barely admired it when she observed a medium-sized easel and a small one which could easily be used if she sat on the ground. She examined the smaller one and realized it could be easily folded. It was rather light and it had been made so she could bandy it about when she was drawing.
Elizabeth spun around and almost bumped into Alexander, “Are these all for me?” she asked breathlessly.
“They are,” he replied with a smile.
Elizabeth threw her arms around him, “This is very kind of you Alexander, thank you.” She felt his hands on the small of her back before they slid down to her bum and pulled her closer. She gave him a peck on the cheek before she extricated herself. She gazed up at him and his eyes bore into hers and sent a shiver down her spine.
He turned to the opposite side of the room and pointed to a trunk. “I purchased additional art supplies for you. Let me know if there is anything else that you need, but can you join me for dinner first? I am famished.”
“Forgive me, Alexander, I got carried away.”
Alexander proffered his arm and Elizabeth locked her arm in his as he led her to the dining room. It was a pleasant meal, different from their first as Elizabeth was more aware of him. She could not help but think that even when she shed tears, he was so tolerant, so kind, so considerate. She had glanced up from her plate, their eyes locked and she found it was impossible to steady her erratic pulse.
Alexander regaled her with stories from his travel, but Elizabeth barely heard them. Her mind had wondered to the first time he came to her bed and she wondered if he would come to her this night. She felt a flutter of anxiety, and a peculiar sense of anticipation before she willed herself to remain calm. It would serve no purpose for her to be discomposed. As soon as the meal ended, she was content to return to her bedchamber. She rang for her lady’s maid who prepared her for bed. Elizabeth was finally alone when she decided to read, which would keep her mind focused rather than wandering into disquietude.
There was a knock on the adjoining bedroom door shortly thereafter and Alexander entered her bedchamber with a flask of wine and two glasses.
“I come bearing gifts, my lady,” he said with an overelaborate bow.
Elizabeth smiled in amusement.
“It is a Burgundy. Your favorite if I recall.” He strode over to her table, placed the glasses on it, and poured. In the shadow of the candlelight, Elizabeth grasped that Alexander wore nothing beneath his banyan. He stood tall, emanating strength and virility. He was devilishly handsome. It was impossible for her to ignore his good looks. Her hand trembled slightly when he handed her a glass. She was propped up in bed for that was how she had been reading. Alexander walked to the opposite side of the bed and sat with her. She took a sip of her wine.
“I have spoken with your parents and my mother. The consensus is that we carry on as normal and the gossip will eventually dissipate. I am wealthy enough that we will not lose our place in society. I know that you are concerned, but it is possible to recover.”
“So, we will remain in the country for the season?”
“Yes. The primary reason for the season was to find you an eligible bachelor, alas you are spoken for.”
