What is he trying to say? Charlotte sensed profound regret on his part, forcing a knot to form in her throat as a wave of heat worked its way up her neck.
“However,” he continued, “I will admit to looking forward to our nuptials.”
“You are?” she asked in a low shaky voice.
“I am,” he soothed. “I am no poet but attempted to tell you this with a note and my gift. Was it to your liking?”
“Oh yes, my lord. It is beautiful.” She moved her sleeve up and displayed the bracelet hanging from her wrist. “I have never owned anything so elegant.”
“I am pleased,” he said, touching her neck slowly and pulling the chain into view. “May I?”
Unsure of what he meant, she merely nodded.
He opened the clasp, removed the ring, and secured the necklace around her neck again. Taking the ring, he removed the light gray kid glove from her left hand and placed the ring on her fourth finger. “There. The fit is perfect.” Removing a package from his waistcoat, he opened a small box. “These diamond earrings once belonged to my grandmother. She would want you to have them as a wedding gift.”
“My lord, you overwhelm me.”
“Please, call me Evan. I want to remove any unnatural barriers to our relationship.”
Was she dreaming? He seemed to want their marriage to be more than just an arrangement. Could it be?
“I know you are aware that I have a son. I should confess that I have not been much of a father to him. It has been just over a year since my . . . since Amelia, his mother, died. But with your help, I would like to be a better father to him.”
“My . . . Evan. I had heard of your son, and I look forward to meeting him.” She swallowed. She hoped she would not disappoint him as a mother to his boy. “I hope you are all right if we learn the parenting together.” Her voice cracked.
“Of course, dear Charlotte.” He kissed her hand. “Would you like to go to your room and freshen up? We still have time before we leave.”
Fingering the ring on her left hand, she looked up at him with moisture in her eyes. “Thank you, I would.”
She started to leave the room, but he held her back gently. Leaning down, he brushed his lips over hers. Then, with a little more urgency, he kissed her. She felt his tongue gently toy with her lips before she opened her mouth to him, giving him entry. Getting carried away with his kiss, she lifted her arms and placed them around his neck, absorbed in the passion.
A moment later, he broke the kiss and stepped back, breathing heavily. “I will admit to having wanted that kiss since the day you faced me in my study with your stormy green eyes demanding my apology.”
“Please do not apologize for the kiss, my lord,” she responded breathily. “So far, that has been the highlight of my morning.”
Chapter Nine
It was time to go. It pleased Evan that no setbacks had occurred—not so much because the wager he had made with Mrs. Dove-Lyon bound him to marriage; rather, he sensed a kinship with Charlotte, a bond that had formed. Perhaps it was that they were both on the brink of ruin and they were saving each other. He could not decide. However, he felt that Amelia would approve. He knew she would want him to go on and not get stuck in time. Being away from the vast amounts of alcohol and endless card games for these past two days had allowed him an opportunity to think about things.
In a little more than an hour, he would stand in front of the bishop, say wedding vows for the second time in his life, and pray this marriage would not end the same way. He would do everything in his power to make sure it did not. Edward needed a mother. Evan needed his son, and he saw that he needed a partner. He opened his bag and checked for the small wooden box of French letters he had purchased the day before. Feeling around the bottom of the bag, he felt the edge of the box. Good, I packed them. I made a promise to myself and I would keep it.
Banbury walked into his study. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Almost.” He latched his bag, then focused on his lace cuffs, pulling them from within his overcoat sleeves. “It would disgust Charles if he saw my efforts. I imagine he is quite put out with me, wondering where I was when he would have arrived to wake me.”
“Knowing Charles, he had his ear to the keyhole and already knew what was happening. I am sure the joke is on you. He is probably sleeping late this morning.” Banbury howled, clapping Evan on his back. “Come. I saw Mrs. Plume heading upstairs before I came to get you. The ladies will be down in a few minutes.”
“I will wake up Jason and put him in the carriage to wait.” Evan pointed to his future brother-in-law, who had fallen asleep on his bed. “He should learn early that men will always have to wait on the ladies.” He sniggered, carefully pulling the boy to a standing position. “It is time to go,” he coaxed gently.
“Yes, my lord,” Jason stood and walked with his new brother to meet his sister.
Charlotte stepped back and examined herself in the full-length mirror, admiring the dark burgundy organza dress
