An Unexpected Passion (Unexpected Series Book 2)
Page 18
Again, he shrugged away her praise, the movement distracting her from her thoughts. His throat worked as if there was something he wanted to tell her, but he looked away, saying nothing until her own gaze focused upon the floor.
Curious, anxious, Phoebe waited for him to break the suddenly awkward silence between them and when he finally did speak there was something peculiar in his tone that warned her she should pay careful attention to his words. Something unexpected. Something passionate and emotional. “It was the only way I knew to show you I am capable of recognizing love.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet his as the sudden swell of hope rose up within her so swiftly her chest squeezed, forcing her question to leave her lips in an almost silent sigh. “You are?”
“Aye,” he answered, his gaze suddenly both fierce and tender. “Not only do I know what love looks like when experienced by others well enough to capture the essence of it on canvas in minute detail, Phoebe, I also know how it feels.”
Caught by the mix of promise and uncertainty in his eyes, she sucked in a trembling breath. Longing swept through her, urging her to throw caution to the wind and step into his arms, letting him enfold her in the safety and comfort of his embrace, but she dared not, for to do so meant she would reveal how much she had missed him these past days and how badly she still wanted to be with him.
“Explain it to me,” she implored, her tone raspy with suppressed emotion. “How does love feel, Edward?”
The sound of his low chuckle held a rueful edge. He sighed. “You will not be content, will you, until I bleed a puddle at your feet?”
“You are bleeding?” Phoebe blanched and immediately began to run her hands over his arms and his chest, searching his person for any hint of affliction until he reached out, catching her chin between his thumb and forefinger, and raised it until her gaze met his. “Aye, my heart bleeds, Phoebe.”
When she only stared at him uncomprehending, he reached out with his other hand to catch her wandering fingers, covering them, twining them tightly within his own. Slowly, carefully, he moved his hands with hers until both were centered over his chest before continuing.
“I fear the cut of your rejection has wounded me so deeply that, unlike your brother, I may never recover.”
The look in his eyes had gone soft.
Warm.
Staring up into them, Phoebe swallowed hard. “I never rejected you, Edward.”
“And I never asked for my freedom. I only wanted you, Phoebe.”
Burning.
She was burning.
The look in his eyes was so similar to the one in Tristan's from the painting, Phoebe thought she might melt into a quivering mass at his feet. Was this how Chelsea had felt when Tristan had glanced up to find her in the hearing room and realized she was alive? Had she felt wanted and adored? Treasured and yes, even loved?
Careful now with her emotions skittering to and fro, Phoebe searched his gaze, hopeful yet terrified to believe he was saying what she thought he was saying, feeling everything she wanted to believe she saw in his eyes. “Edward, I—”
He released her chin. His fingers delved into the pocket of his waistcoat and when he removed his hand, she saw the ring she had returned to him just days before. Slowly, he bowed until he was resting on one knee. “This is yours, I believe.”
Her brow furrowed. “Edward, I—I don't understand. I already released you from the agreement. I thought you were happy. ”
“I was not. I have not been, not for all the days since you sent me away and I will never be until you say you will marry me, Phoebe.”
She started to speak again, but with a shake of his head he cut off her words. “Marry me. Not because your brother needs saving, or my grandfather desires to attach his family to yours. Marry me because you want to. Despite everything that has happened between us and with your family, I am asking you to consider my most earnest proposal and let your heart decide.”
Phoebe continued to stare at him, astounded and nigh unto speechless, as her befuddled mind tried to make sense of the moment. Finally, she found her voice, but just barely, and there was an unmistakable inflection of wonder in her voice when she whispered, “You are truly asking me to marry you.”
“I am, and I want you to say yes because—” he paused to draw in a steadying breath. “Because you feel as hopeless and alone without me as your brother must have felt when he believed the love of his heart was lost to him forever—for that is precisely the way I feel about you.”
Understanding dawned and Phoebe's eyes widened. “Edward, you just said that you love me.”
He shook his head, but the corners of his lips quirked upward in a wry smile. “Not only that, I absolutely adore you, Phoebe St. Daine. I enjoy your compassion and your wit, the fire in your kisses and the strength of your unyielding faith—even in the face of utter hopelessness and despair. I crave the pleasure of your company, Phoebe, so much I simply cannot fathom the mere idea of one day more spent without you by my side.”
Her eyelids lowered slowly and she stepped closer, letting her hands rest lightly upon his shoulders. “That does sound a great deal like the way I feel about you.”
“Hmm,” he murmured in response, pulling her close. “Are you saying you love me, Phoebe? That you treasure the brilliance of my smile, the warmth of my embrace, and would walk upon fire for a simple kiss from me?”
Phoebe leaned down until her forehead rested against his. “There is nothing simple about your kisses, Edward, but yes, to all of that and more. As to your other question, my answer is also most definitely yes.”
“And which question would that be?” he asked, cuddling her ever closer.
His tone was sincere, but she could see the teasing glint in his eyes. Leaning back in his embrace so that he could not mistake the solemnity in her gaze, she said, “Yes, I would be honored to marry you, Edward Claybourne, for it truly is my fondest wish to be the bride of your heart.”
One hand rose up to cup the curve of her jaw. “I promise to spend the rest of our lives making sure you never have cause to regret your choice, Phoebe, for with you I have found more than I ever expected. Friendship. Passion. Understanding. And so much more.” With his other hand, he gently slid his mother's ring back into place onto her finger, sighing with happy contentment as he did so. “You are far more than the bride of my heart, sweet Phoebe. You are the completion of my soul.”
*******
More Books in this series:
An Unexpected Proposal (Book 1)
Check out the preview of book 3 - An Unexpected Pursuit at the end of this book and signup for Leighann's email list to get her latest releases at the lowest price:
http://www.leighanndobbs.com/newsletter-historical-romances
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Leighann Dobbs has had a passion for reading since she was old enough to hold a book, but she didn’t put pen to paper until much later in life. After a twenty-year career as a software engineer with a few side trips into selling antiques and making jewelry, she realized you can’t make a living reading books, so she tried her hand at writing them and discovered she had a passion for that, too! She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix, Mojo, and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Find out about her latest books and how to get discounts on them by signing up at:
http://www.leighanndobbs.com/newsletter-historical-romances
Connect with Leighann on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/leighanndobbshistoricalromance
Also by Leighann Dobbs
Regency Romance
* * *
Scandals and Spies Series:
Kissing The Enemy
The Unexpected Series:
An Unexpected Proposal
Dobbs Fancytales:
Dobbs Fancytales Boxed Set Collection
____
Western Historical Romance
***
Goldwater C
reek Mail Order Brides:
Faith
American Mail Order Brides Series:
Chevonne: Bride of Oklahoma
___________________
Contemporary Romance
***
Reluctant Romance
***
Sweetrock Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Romance
Some Like It Hot
Too Close For Comfort
____
Cozy Mysteries
Mooseamuck Island Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
A Zen For Murder
A Crabby Killer
A Treacherous Treasure
-------
Mystic Notch
Cat Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Ghostly Paws
A Spirited Tail
A Mew To A Kill
Paws and Effect
Probable Paws
-------
Blackmoore Sisters
Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Dead Wrong
Dead & Buried
Dead Tide
Buried Secrets
Deadly Intentions
A Grave Mistake
Spell Found
-------
Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series
* * *
Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Boxed Set Vol 1 (Books 1-4)
Or buy the books separately:
Killer Cupcakes
Dying For Danish
Murder, Money and Marzipan
3 Bodies and a Biscotti
Brownies, Bodies & Bad Guys
Bake, Battle & Roll
Wedded Blintz
Scones, Skulls & Scams
Ice Cream Murder
Mummified Meringues
Brutal Brulee (Novella)
No Scone Unturned
Magical Romance with a Touch of Mystery
***
Something Magical
Sneak Peak - An Unexpected Pursuit
Though she kept her features carefully schooled, Lady Chelsea St. Daine stared wistfully toward the front of the cathedral. Her brother-in-law, Lucien St. Daine, who was also the Duke of Rothwyn, was proudly pledging the rest of his life to Lady Claire Leighton.
Her sister-in-law, Phoebe St. Daine, was also exchanging her vows with Mister Edward Claybourne in a double wedding ceremony—although Phoebe and Edward had barely made it to the church on time to see the matter done.
Phoebe had requested the double ceremony but had almost called it off after her brother convinced her to give her groom his freedom. To be fair to Tristan, he hadn't known at the time that his sister had fallen in love with the man she had promised to wed because she was willing to do anything to save Tristan from the hangman's noose—including sacrifice the rest of her life by becoming the wife of a man she barely knew.
Cutting a glance sideways, she studied her own husband's profile, watching the change of emotions ranging his handsome face as the priest pronounced first the duke and Lady Claire and then Mr. Claybourne and Phoebe man and wife. His jaw was firm, hard and unyielding, and he kept his eyes straight forward but she could feel the tension radiating from him. He was uncomfortable here. In fact, he was uncomfortable anywhere she was present, and knowing that it was so irritated her.
Tristan St. Daine had recently been awarded a viscountcy for acts of heroism which involved rescuing her from pirates, but he most certainly did not want a wife—most especially, not her. He had even been so crass as to tell her so the day the magistrate had cleared his name of both the kidnapping and heinous murder charges he had faced, which was why it simply would not do for him to witness her pining over her loss. She had dreamed of having a wedding such as the one being conducted today for herself, but now...
At the front of the cathedral, her brothers and sisters-in-law turned to make their way along the long center aisle, happy smiles wreathing their faces, and she felt the sting of tears turning her vision to a blur. Forcing a smile of her own, she raised her hands and clapped as the two couples made their way from the building toward separate though equally handsomely equipped coaches, both bound to soon depart for entirely different destinations which would leave her alone—at least for the next few weeks—with her angry, brooding husband.
Was he really so changed from the man who had charmed and romanced her aboard the Valkyrie? Looking at him now, she had to admit it seemed so, but she wished she were wrong. She had fallen in love with the handsome Tristan Dane aboard her father's ship and that man, she missed. This cool, stoic gentleman at her side who was now her husband forevermore was another matter altogether.
“Would that we could skip the wedding supper,” Tristan muttered on a barely audible sigh but she caught his words and immediately understood why he preferred to refrain from spending more private, personal time with his family—especially now, in this moment of their happiness.
Pretending to care for her was wearing on him. The lie ate at him, making him cross and surly and she dared not add to his vexation. Not when she was still recuperating from the gunshot wound which had all but killed her and had almost caused him to be hanged. Even now, her side ached and Chelsea longed to coddle her sensitive ribs, to remove the restricting corset she was wearing beneath her gown and simply lie in naught more than her chemise upon her bed in the east wing of her grandfather's mansion outside of town but she knew Tristan would insist that they remove immediately to Greeding as soon as the happy event was done.
There were many matters to which he must see, he would declare, and she would not contradict him, for it was true. Greeding was a smallish estate, but it was now his, and Chelsea knew he would spend every possible minute insuring the gift he had received when he'd believed himself about to hang, instead, turned a healthy profit. As his wife, she would do all that was within her power to help him realize his intentions. But as the woman who had loved the man she had known him to be before, she mourned...
Copr 2016
This is a work of fiction.
None of it is real. All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.
AN UNEXPECTED PASSION
Copyright © 2016
Leighann Dobbs
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under “fair use,” without the express written permission of the author.