Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3)
Page 19
The duke’s voice grew firm. “But we will remain close to ensure that Hannah is properly chaperoned.”
After they walked a short distance away, Hannah turned towards Martin with an expectant look. “What is it you need to speak to me about?”
He didn’t answer her question but asked one of his own instead. “Why did you leave Town?”
“I think you know why I did.”
He took a step closer to her. “Was it because of me?”
“I do not wish to answer that question,” she said as she moved to turn away from him.
Martin gently placed his hand on her arm, stilling her retreat. “I made a terrible mistake, Hannah.”
“Is that so?”
“I was so afraid of losing you, that I didn’t realize that I was losing you in the process.”
Hannah pressed her lips together. “If you are here to salvage our friendship—”
He cut her off. “I’m not here for that.”
“You aren’t?”
“I’ve come to realize that I don’t want to just be friends with you,” Martin said. “You mean so much more to me than that.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
Martin dropped his hand from her arm. “When I asked for you to find me a bride, I had no idea that it would lead me straight to you.” His eyes grew intense. “I love you, Hannah. I’m sorry it took me so long to recognize the truth of it all, but I love you.”
“You do?”
“My heart chose you a long time ago,” he stated. “I was just either too hardheaded or stupid to realize it.”
Hannah’s eyes searched his as she attempted to gauge his sincerity. “Do you truly mean that?”
“When I kissed you, everything changed between us,” Martin said, “and I knew I couldn’t deny how I felt towards you any longer.” He grinned. “But I did try. Unconvincingly, I might add.”
“Are you sure, Martin?” she asked. “I need you to be sure, because I don’t think my heart could take another rejection from you.”
Martin reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips. “I have never been so sure of anything in my life.” He knelt down and looked up at her, his eyes full of love. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
She paused. “I want to say yes.”
“Then say it,” he pressed.
Her eyes filled with tears as she watched him. “What about Lady Emma?”
“I spoke to her yesterday and ended things with her,” he replied.
“And Lady Isabella?”
“I informed my father that I only intended to marry you,” he said, then hesitated, “assuming you will have me.”
“What if you change your mind?”
“I won’t.” He tightened his hold on her hand. “You are my best friend, and I never intend to let you go.”
“Martin—” she started.
“I need to say something,” he said. “Just one more thing.”
“Which is?”
His voice became hoarse, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I am absolutely, maddeningly, irrevocably in love with you, Hannah. You must believe me.”
“I do, but—”
“Then please, marry me,” he said, interrupting her again. “I promise I will spend the rest of my days ensuring that you never regret your decision.”
Hannah felt a smile spread across her face. She felt as though her heart might burst from happiness. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Martin’s lips curled into a boyish grin. “You have no idea how happy you have made me, my dear.”
“I just can’t believe you are here with me.”
He kept hold of her hand as he rose. “There is no place that I would rather be.” He took a step closer. “May I kiss you now?”
“If I say yes, will you promptly tell me it was a mistake?” she asked cheekily.
He chuckled. “I deserved that.”
Hannah went on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. She could feel him smiling against her lips.
“What is it?” she asked, leaning back.
“I like the fact that you kissed me.”
“You do?” she asked.
He nodded. “But it was much too short for my taste.” He leaned closer and pressed his mouth to hers, softly but firmly, then moved one arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. With his touch, she felt all the barriers around her heart begin to fall away, making it whole once more.
The sound of someone loudly clearing their throat caused her to jump away from Martin. She turned around and saw the duke watching them sternly.
“I daresay that is enough of that,” Edmund ordered. “I do hope you two are engaged, or else I will have no choice but to challenge Lord Egleton to a duel.”
Martin gave her a private smile. “Hannah did accept my offer of marriage, but only after I groveled a little.”
“Excellent,” the duke replied, his lips twitching. “I knew you were a smart man.”
Amelia rushed over to Hannah and embraced her. “I am so happy for you.” She leaned back and looked over at Martin. “For both of you.”
Sybil interjected, “Did your wish come true, Aunt Hannah?”
Hannan nodded. “It did,” she replied. “It most definitely did.”
“I knew it would,” Sybil said, smiling up at her.
Turning her attention towards Martin, Hannah admitted, “I had my doubts, but I am so pleased that I was wrong.”
Martin reached for her hand, then said, “You will never have to question my feelings for you ever again. I promise you that.”
Hannah tightened her hold on his hand. “If I am dreaming, I truly hope that I never wake up.”
“This is very real, my love,” Martin replied, smiling, “and we will never be apart from this day forth.”
“That sounds perfect,” she breathed as she leaned in to kiss him.
Epilogue
Six years later
The sun had already set as Martin sat in his study and reviewed the ledgers. It was a task that he had come to enjoy over the years, as he’d discovered that he had developed a real knack for it. He knew that one day he would become the Marquess of Darby, and these properties and investments would all belong to him. That thought was both sobering and exciting at the same time.
He leaned back in his chair and realized how truly blessed he was. The estates were prospering, and they had nearly doubled their profits this past year. But the thing that brought him the most joy was his family. His love for Hannah only continued to grow, and he’d never imagined that someone could be in possession of such great happiness. Every morning, he woke up grateful that she had agreed to become his wife.
His five-year-old daughter’s voice drew his attention. “Father!” Alice shouted as she ran into the room. “I have to go to bed now.”
“You do?”
Alice bobbed her head enthusiastically as she came to a stop next to him. “I do,” she replied. “Mother said so.”
“If Mother said so, then it must be right.” He held out his arms. “I will need a hug before you head off to the nursery.”
As she stepped into his arms, he picked her up and placed her on his lap. “Have you had a pleasant day today?”
“I have.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he said. “What occupied your time today?”
Alice made a face. “Mother made me practice the pianoforte,” she informed him. “I’m awful at it.”
“You must be patient with yourself, especially since you only just started playing.”
“It’s hard, though.”
“Anything worth doing usually is,” Martin counseled as he admired her blonde curls. They were so similar to Hannah’s.
Alice shifted in his lap to meet his gaze. “Will you take me riding tomorrow?”
Martin glanced over at all the ledgers on his desk. “I’m afraid I am unable to tomorrow. I have meetings that I must attend to, but perhaps another day.”
“Do you enjoy spending time with your grandfather?”
“I do,” she responded. “He’s silly sometimes.”
Martin’s brow lifted. “He is?”
Alice giggled. “He always tells me the funniest stories.”
“Now I know you aren’t telling me the truth.” He smiled to let her know that he was teasing.
“But I am,” she declared.
Hannah’s voice came from the doorway. “It’s time for bed, Alice,” she said, stepping further into the room. “Martha is here to take you.”
Alice looked up at Martin with pleading eyes. “Will you read me a story after Martha tucks me in?”
“I will,” he promised, “but only if you go right to sleep after.”
His daughter jumped off his lap. “I promise.”
Martin watched his daughter with pride as she ran to accept Martha’s outstretched hand. He knew he would do anything for that little girl. She had taken his heart the moment she was born.
Hannah placed a hand on her protruding belly. “You spoil her.”
“It is easy to do so.”
“That it is,” she agreed.
Martin leaned back in his chair and smiled at his wife. “How are you faring today?”
“I am well, but I’m afraid I am moving at a much slower pace now.”
“That is to be expected.”
“True, but it is hard to keep up with Alice,” Hannah said. “She ran circles around me when we went on a walk today. I have never known such an inquisitive child.”
Rising, Martin walked over to his wife and placed his hands tenderly on her shoulders. “We have more than enough servants to tend to Alice right now,” he remarked. “Furthermore, my mother and father would be more than happy to spend time with her.”
A smile came to Hannah’s lips. “I daresay I have been surprised at the amount of attention your father lavishes on her.”
“As have I,” he replied, “but that was only after he got over the fact that she wasn’t born a boy.”
“Let’s hope this one is,” Hannah said, rubbing her belly.
Martin shook his head. “All I care for is a healthy baby, male or female.”
“You say that now, but—”
He cut her off. “I mean it, Hannah,” he replied. “I have never been happier than I am right now.”
“I am pleased to hear you say that.”
Martin leaned in and kissed her, then asked, “When do we need to depart for dinner with your sisters?”
“We’ll leave right after you read a story to Alice.”
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to it?” he asked.
Hannah nodded. “I am not due for another month,” she pressed. “Besides, I haven’t seen my sisters in quite some time.”
He chuckled. “You just saw them last week for a picnic.”
“Wasn’t that fun?” she asked. “I don’t think I could ever tire of playing with all of my nieces and nephews.”
“Neither will I,” he said. “We did have a rousing game of shuttlecock going.”
“That we did.”
Martin dropped his arms but remained close. “I can scarcely believe how blessed we are to have such a close-knit family.”
“I agree.”
“Even my sister is happily wed now.”
Hannah gave him a knowing look. “Your mother was not pleased that she married only a viscount.”
“True, but Marianne is ecstatically happy,” Martin said. “Besides, Mother eventually came around.”
Hannah reached for his hand. “You’d better not keep Alice waiting for her story.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Always,” she replied. “There is no place that I would rather be than with you.”
Unable to resist, Martin leaned forward and kissed her. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he murmured, remaining close.
She gave him a playful smile. “I believe you finally came to your senses and realized that you couldn’t live without me.”
“That is precisely what happened, and there isn’t a day that I don’t revel in my good fortune.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck. “That was rather a sweet thing to say, husband.”
“I can’t imagine how I lived at all before securing your love, when I now know I can’t possibly live without you.”
Hannah’s eyes glistened as she murmured, “You won’t ever have to.”
The End
About the Author
Laura Beers is an award-winning author. She attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. She can't sing, doesn't dance and loves naps.
Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. She was born and raised in Southern California, but she now resides in South Carolina.