Page 77 of Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library
“Just so. The plan to keep the library open was Charlotte’s idea.” Louisa added in a gentler tone, “I think your scheme to open an employment agency for veterans is a commendable idea, Lord Ashford.”
He felt flat footed. Shaking his head, he asked, “Diana let the cat out of the bag?”
Edith nodded. “She did.”
“The employment agency will be a lovely edition to the square.” Charlotte gave a sheepish grin. “And even though going to White’s was a silly idea, we saved the library, so everything turned out all right in the end.”
“It wasn’t a silly idea,” he replied with feeling. “If I hadn’t pushed you along to Piccadilly and happened upon your friend Louisa, I might never have met you properly.”
“Quite a historic event,” she said, her words uneven, her eyes bright.
Her blushes gave him courage. The smile he gave her was intimate. “It was. A man should always remember the moment he meets his future wife.”
* * * * *
Edith and Louisa insisted she return home as soon as the marquess made his declaration. Or statement. Had it really been a declaration?
“Louisa and I will take you home, Charlotte,” Edith said excitedly, her cheeks as flushed as Charlotte knew hers to be. “Lord Ashford, she is in our capable hands.”
Ashford replied with a sweeping bow, “Thank you, Lady Edith. I will speak to your father directly, Lady Charlotte.”
Her friends led her to the carriage outside. She felt as if she were in a dream.
“I knew he loved you,” Edith said once the three women were seated in the coach.
He hadn’t spoken of love. She worried the abundance of feeling was all on her side.
“Congratulations, Charlotte.” Louisa squeezed her hand. “You can give us all the details tomorrow.”
Now she waited in the drawing room of the house in Hanover Square while Lord Ashford spoke to her father in his study.
“Your father has given us his blessing,” the marquess said with a warm smile as soon as he entered the room through the open door.
“Why do you wish to marry me, Lord Ashford?” she asked from her place standing near the hearth. His spicy cologne reached out to her like a fond memory.
“Because you are kind and intelligent. You’re a loyal friend and sister.” He walked to a place near her a few feet away. “And you enjoy reading as much as I do. We shall get along famously.”
She raised her chin and swallowed. “And what of your feelings?”
“I didn’t like you speaking with Lord Meers at the card party. I was jealous. I’ve never been jealous before.” His voice reflected wonder at the occurrence.
“You were horrid at the card party. Glowering looks and telling a lady her behavior is reckless is not the way to woo her,” she replied with a sniff.
Ashford laughed then. He laughed until tears were on his cheeks. She looked doubtfully at him as he wiped the moisture from his eyes.
“I cannot win, Lady Charlotte. You will not allow me to woo you after my calling you reckless and your brother a thief?”
“Wooed?” She frowned. “You didn’t ask me to marry you. You merely asked my father for his permission. I know I’m not a diamond. Men don’t throw themselves at my feet.”
The marquess moved closer, but a breath away. He gently took her chin in one gloved hand and raised it. He said softly, “They should. You are beautiful, never more so than when you smile.”
“And reckless,” she added in a whisper.
“Someone told me I need more adventure in my life. They were right. Marry me, Lady Charlotte. Teach me to be more adventurous, to be as open and kind to everyone as you are. I don’t deserve you but marry me because I love you with every breath in my body.”
He leaned forward and his lips met hers. Her first kiss was all that she hoped it would be. Warm and firm, his soft lips lingered over hers.
When he drew back to look at her, his eyes were soft. “Will you marry me, my darling?”
