Page 66 of Tempted By an Unconventional Lady
“I promise I shall be no trouble,” he called over his shoulder. “And if she still refuses to see me, I shall never darken your doorstep again.”
He marched straight to the library, imagining Charlotte finding comfort in books. He was right. She sat in front of a low fire, her legs curled beneath her and a book open on her lap. And she looked more beautiful, more vulnerable, more magnificent than he thought he had ever seen her before. His steps slowed as he approached her back.
“my lady,” he said, his voice low and soft.
She jumped at the sound of his voice and spun around, eyes wide as she quickly ran her hands through her messy hair.
“Alexander! I…” Her jaw bobbed, but no words came out. Her eyes darted between him and the door.
“I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but I beg of you to please—hear me out.”
As he finished speaking, the butler caught up, clinging onto the doorway and panting as he caught his breath.
“I’m sorry, my lady,” he said in a serious of gasps. “I can call the constable if—”
“No, it’s all right,” she said. “Thank you for your kindness, but I will see him, since he is so determined.”
“Very well,” the butler said. He lowered himself into a seat at the back of the room.
Alexander and Charlotte both stared at him until she finally, haltingly, said, “That will be all, thank you.”
“But you have no chaperone, my lady,” the butler replied, remaining firmly in his seat.
Charlotte glanced at Alexander, and he knew she wanted to be alone as much as he did. She thought quickly, and he couldn’t help but be impressed yet again.
“Annie is on her way back. She has simply gone to fetch something for me. We’ll be fine. Please return to your duties, thank you.”
The butler was uncertain, hesitant, but eventually he did as he was asked, and Alexander felt the relief flood through him. He would have explained everything even in front of the man, but it would be so much easier if they were alone.
She turned her hard expression on him. “It wasn’t a lie. Annie won’t be long. Say what you have to say and then leave. Perhaps then you will know that I am serious.”
To find her so cold and harsh stabbed at his heart. He knew he would have to win her over, but to find all the softness gone surprised him.
“Can we at least sit down?” he asked. She nodded, and he took the seat opposite her, not daring to approach too closely for fear of angering her further. “Thank you. It means a lot to me that you are willing to see me.”
“It’s not like I had a lot of choice,” she replied.
He took a deep breath, knowing this was going to be difficult. “I don’t know what Lucille is playing at, nor do I know what she has been saying to you, but I need you to know that there is and never will be anyone else, Charlotte.”
“Anyone else?” she asked, as if she didn’t know he meant her. But if she needed to hear it, then he would say it.
On impulse, he stood up and pulled the small velvet pouch from his pocket. He hadn’t meant to do this so early, had wanted to explain some more, but he felt as if the time was right. He lowered himself to his knee.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her tone almost panicked.
“Miss Charlotte Fairchild, there will never be anyone but you. Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
***
Charlotte stared down at the diamond ring in horror. She thought she had made herself clear.
“I told you when we were at the lake that you owed me nothing.”
Alexander’s brow furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion and hurt. “What? No, that’s not… Charlotte, I am not proposing because we made love.”
He clambered to his feet and sat on the couch next to her. She breathed in the scent of him, allowing his being to embrace her, even if his arms weren’t.
“I will not become your wife merely because—”
