Page 81 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Owen slowly openedhis eyes, a warmth filling him. It was the warmth of happiness. How long had it been since he had awakened in such a state?

Perhaps never.

Oh, he was an optimistic fellow, as much so as the next man, but he realized in this moment that he had never truly been happy. Nothing had brought him this inner glow. Only Louisa filled an empty space inside him that he hadn’t even known needed filling. He longed to spend every waking moment with her and then cradle her in his arms, holding her close even in sleep. In some wonderful way, she completed him. As an earl. As a man.

And soon, as a husband.

He wished for them to wed immediately. That would mean a special license. He decided he would go into London today and purchase it. That way, once the house party concluded, they could be married since their closest friends and her aunt and uncle would be here. He hoped that she wouldn’t insist on her father being present at the ceremony. Sir Edgar might still be in Vienna for months to come.

Owen wasn’t willing to wait that long. A week would be too long but he would do so.

That didn’t mean he wouldn’t want Louisa in his bed each night. Now that he had his taste of her, he craved her. He wanted all of her. It might shock Strunk and her maid but he decided he would insist that they spend the next several nights together since they would be wed within a week.

He wondered if he should speak to Lord Uxbridge before he departed for London and decided it could wait until he returned with the special license in hand. He could see no reason for Louisa’s uncle to deny her hand in marriage, especially to a fellow earl. Besides, Louisa was of age and could make her own decisions. To be safe, though, he would speak to Lord Uxbridge upon his return.

Now, he needed to share with Ev and Adalyn his plans. They were already down one male guest at the house party with Lord Hurley’s departure. Owen hoped today wouldn’t be too awkward with him gone, as well. At least the remaining bachelors would receive their fair share of attention from the ladies present.

It irked him a bit that Louisa would be spending most of today with Lord Boxling. While he knew nothing untoward would occur, he didn’t like his betrothed spending time with the handsome, easygoing viscount. He wondered if he should pull Boxling aside and ask him to step away. No, he didn’t want to intrude upon Louisa’s decision. She might herself share the news with Boxling of her betrothal in order for the viscount not to take any liberties with her during the picnic.

He rang for Strunk and the valet entered with a steaming bowl of hot water for Owen’s shave.

“Good morning, Strunk,” he called cheerily, padding over to a chair and sitting so that his valet could shave him.

He closed his eyes and thought of Louisa, wishing he could ask her to accompany him to London. He thought of all the wicked things they could so in his carriage during the journey but decided he couldn’t have her come with him. It wouldn’t do for an unwed female, albeit a betrothed one, to spend that many hours unchaperoned with her fiancé.

Owen shrugged into his shirt and trousers and allowed Strunk to help him into his waistcoat and coat. He pulled on his boots.

“You certainly seem in high spirits today, my lord,” Stunk noted. “The smile hasn’t left your face—and you were even whistling when I first arrived.”

He decided to share his news. “You may take the day off, Strunk. I am going to London and won’t return until early evening.” He paused. “I plan to purchase a special license while I am there.”

The valet grinned. “Congratulations, my lord. Might it be Miss Goulding?”

“It is,” he confirmed. “She agreed to marry me last night.”

Strunk’s grin broadened. “Miss Goulding is a favorite with the staff at Cliffside, my lord. They say she is sweet as the day is long. You have made an excellent choice for your countess, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

“I totally agree Strunk. Please go to the stables now and have them saddle Galahad for me. I will ride him back to Danfield and take my carriage into London.”

“Very good, my lord.”

Strunk left and Owen brushed his hair quickly, ready to seek out Ev and Adalyn. He opened the door and stepped into the hall, crashing into someone. Quickly, he clasped their elbows to keep them—and him—from falling.

To his surprise, it was Miss Rexford. Before he could apologize for running in to her, she clutched the lapels to his coat and yanked hard, pulling his head down, his lips crashing into hers.

For a moment, Owen froze, not comprehending what was happening. Then he quickly lifted his head and thrust her away, taking two steps back.

“I say, Miss Rexford, that—”

“That is the problem, my lord. You haven’t said or done anything,” she pouted. “That is why I decided I should be the one to take action and let you know of my interest in you.” She batted her eyelashes prettily at him, wetting her lips.

He cleared his throat. “If this had been in the past, Miss Rexford, I can assure you I would have been more than interested in you. Things have changed, however. I have asked Miss Goulding to be my wife and am leaving now for London in order to purchase a special license.”

“Oh,” she said, her disappointment obvious. “I am sorry to hear that. I thought that we could have quite a bit of fun together.”

“You’ll have to look to someone else. Perhaps Lord Boxling,” he suggested, hoping to keep the viscount away from Louisa.

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