Page 82 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“If you change your mind, let me know,” she said huskily.

“I won’t,” he said firmly, letting her know where he stood.

Owen watched her retreat, thinking Miss Rexford was exactly his type before he met Louisa. He would have enjoyed romping with her, knowing nothing serious would come from the relationship. Now, though, everything had changed. Louisa had opened his eyes to a new world. He wanted to build upon the intimacy that had begun between them last night. Build a life with her. Have children and play with them, teach them, watch them grow into adulthood.

He loved Louisa. This is what it meant. To commit to another in heart, mind, body, and soul. He couldn’t imagine spending time with any woman other than Louisa. He would love her until his dying day—and beyond.

Closing his bedchamber door, he ventured down the hall, hoping to avoid Miss Rexford. He arrived in the dining room and saw Lady Sara, Miss Oxford, and Lord Marksbury eating together, deep in conversation. Ev approached the buffet and Owen hurried toward him.

“Might I have a private word with you, Ev?” he asked.

His friend nodded. “We can go to my study.” He set the plate down.

When they arrived, Ev closed the door. “What is this about?”

“I wanted to let you and Adalyn know that I will be missing from the house party today. I am traveling to London.” He paused. “To purchase a special license.”

Hope sprang in Ev’s eyes. “Is it what I think?”

Owen nodded. “Louisa agreed to be my wife last night.”

Ev captured him in a bear hug, slapping Owen on the back. “This is the best news possible. Adalyn will be over the moon that her house party brought the two of you together.”

“Could you keep this to yourself until I return? Merely tell Adalyn that I had business to attend to at Danfield and that I will return in time for dinner this evening? I would rather share the news with Louisa by my side.” He chuckled. “Of course, she may decide to tell Adalyn and Tessa on her own. We haven’t really talked about how to share our good news.”

“Have you discussed a date? With the special license, you will have a month.”

“I would like to do so after the house party concludes. Once your guests leave, our closest friends, along with Lord and Lady Uxbridge, could stay.”

“I think that a fine idea, Owen.” Ev paused and then asked, “Do you love Louisa? She deserves nothing less.”

“I do. I haven’t told her in words, hoping my actions spoke what was in my heart, but I know women like to hear that. I cannot believe how deliriously happy I am, Ev.”

His friend smiled. “Then it most certainly is love. We have been blessed—you, Spence, and I—to find remarkable women and love.”

“I will let you get back to your breakfast. I’ll ride Galahad back to Danfield and take my carriage into London. Keep an eye on Louisa today for me if you will.”

“I can do that.” Ev thrust out his hand and Owen took it. They shook firmly, both men beaming.

He went immediately to the stables and found Galahad saddled and waiting for him. The short ride to Danfield only took a quarter-hour and once at the stables, he called for his carriage and driver. Settling against the cushions, he closed his eyes, ready to catch a nap after last night’s exertion with Louisa.

Owen fell asleep with a smile playing about his lips.

*

Louisa awoke andstretched lazily. She was a little sore but in a good way.

She hoped Owen would come to her bed again tonight. The intimacy they had shared was surprising. Lovemaking was passionate and volatile, but it was also tender and moving. She knew she still had much to learn and her fiancé would be a master teacher.

Papa would adore Owen. She wished her father could be here when she wed. They had discussed that very thing before he had left for Vienna. He knew she would be going to a full slate of Season events and the possibility existed that she might receive an offer of marriage. He had encouraged her to accept it if she wished and had asked his brother to step in and handle any arrangements necessary as far as a wedding was concerned.

Perhaps she and Owen might travel to Vienna on their honeymoon so that he could meet Papa. She would ask him today. They had a dozen things to talk about, including when the wedding should take place. As far as Louisa was concerned, the sooner the better. She would impatiently wait as the banns were read and then be happy to take Owen as her husband once that three-week waiting period had passed. She wondered if he would wish to wed at Danfield. At least Adalyn and Everett would be on the neighboring estate and Tessa and Spencer only a little more than an hour’s carriage ride away.

Should she share the good news with her friends while the house party continued? Or would Owen wish to wait until after its conclusion? There was so much to decide.

One thing she determined was to inform Lord Boxling that she was no longer unattached. It would be unfair to the kind, handsome viscount for her to monopolize his time today when he could be spending it with one of the other female guests. Though she had told Owen she would go ahead and spend today in Lord Boxling’s company, it didn’t set well with her now.

Especially when she wanted to spend every waking moment with Owen.

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