Page 94 of An Uncommon Earl

“I am waiting for—”

“Stop waiting, Alexander,” she said. Then she leaned forward and placed a small kiss on his cheek before turning and walking back the way she had come.

Alexander watched her go, wondering if he would wake up from this dream and find that instead of giving him her blessing, his mother had invited Lady Emma and Miss Pinnock to stay for a fortnight. He shuddered. There was one sure way to remove those ladies from his future, and it lay behind the door less than three feet away.

He knocked. Moments later, the door opened to reveal Mrs. Hunt.

“Good evening, my lord,” she said. “Miss Hadford is almost ready.” She paused and looked back toward the bed.

Standing in the passageway, Alexander’s anxiety mounted. “How is she?”

The housekeeper smiled and opened the door wider. “Perhaps you would like to ask her yourself, my lord.”

Alexander walked in, and then stopped abruptly. Vaguely aware of Mrs. Hunt organizing the maids in the removal of the bathtub and towels behind him, he attempted to bring his breathing back to normal. Jane was sitting on the bed, wearing an ivory, silk-trimmed dressing gown. She was propped up by pillows and covered in a blanket. Her thick brown hair that he had only ever before seen pinned to her head hung in soft curls past her shoulders. One hand was resting on Asher, who was curled up in a little ball beside her, fast asleep. Her beautiful dark eyes softened as he looked upon her, and a hint of color crept into her cheeks.

“How are you feeling?” Alexander considered the basic phrase a major accomplishment.

“I was able to stand,” she said, smiling at him. “And bear my own weight for a short time.”

Relief washed over him. “That is good news, indeed.”

She ran her hand over Asher’s small back. “Asher has been asleep ever since you left. I believe you wore him out with your water games.”

He smiled. “I think it is more likely that his exhaustion comes from his grand adventure outside, but if the bath helps him sleep through the night, I will happily take credit for it.”

The footsteps, clanging pails, and sloshing water coming from the fireplace had ceased. It appeared that the maids and Mrs. Hunt had left. Alexander stepped over to the yellow brocade chair and moved it closer to the bed. Jane watched him silently, but her lower lip was caught between her teeth, and he sensed her apprehension.

Taking a seat, he reached for her hand, grateful that she let him take it. “I had been home for less than a half hour when your father arrived at the door with the news that Asher was missing.” He met her eyes. “It was just enough time to read your letter.”

Jane hung her head.

“No, Jane.” He reached out his free hand, and placing his finger beneath her chin, he gently pushed her head upward again. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing. What you did in writing that letter was perhaps the bravest thing I’ve seen you do—and I have seen you do many brave and heroic things.” He paused. “It also gave me more hope than I’ve had in almost a week.”

She met his eyes then, and he saw the battle of emotions swirling there. “How could my sad confession bring you hope?”

“Well, it made me realize that despite my bungling attempts to court you, you were still willing to place your trust in me. I do not feel that you would have shared something so personal if you did not think me worthy of your confidence.”

She nodded. “I do trust you, Alexander. Completely.”

He tightened his grip on her hand. “Thank you for that. It means more than I can say.” He took a deep breath. “Your letter also led me to hope that if I were to address a couple of the things you mentioned, you might be persuaded to see things another way.”

Her forehead creased. “What things are those?”

“I no longer wish for a courtship with you, Jane.”

Her lower lip trembled, but she nodded. “I understand, truly I do.”

“Perhaps not, my love. You see, I do not want a courtship, because I am far too impatient. The thought of going through the motions of visiting you and walking the gardens with you and taking rides in the carriage with you only to return to my empty house afterward sounds torturous. I am told that a courtship exists to enable a couple to see if they might be a good match. If that is the case, I have no need of it. I am looking at my perfect match. You are everything I could possibly wish for in a wife and more. I am desperately in love with you, Jane, and I should like to court you in our own home as man and wife so that I never have to say good night and walk away.”

“But, Alexander.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “I cannot give you an heir.” She raised her other hand and waved it at the luxury around them. “All of this. Everything that has been in your family for generations would go to another.”

“If that is what happens, then so be it,” he said. “Being your husband is worth more to me.”

She shook her head. “I am not sure that I could knowingly deny you from having children.”

“Why?”

“Because . . . because I love you too much.”