Page 52 of Lady Emily’s Matchmaking Mishap (Merry Spinsters, Charming Rogues #5)

My Little Wren,

My Emily,

My Love,

Ten years have passed, and after all this time, I find myself writing to you once more.

My secretary discovered your last three letters tucked into Jago’s accounting book. It seems they were intercepted by his order—on my father’s command. Emily, I cannot begin to express my anguish at reading them now, so late. No wonder you believed I had forgotten you, betrayed you. No wonder you turned your heart against me.

There are no words that can undo the pain I have caused. None that can make right the wrongs of my silence or the long years of separation. I have debated endlessly whether to confront you, to tell you everything face to face, to draw you into my arms and kiss you senseless until you understand the full truth of the situation, but then you were so determined to despise me—with full reason.

How can I reveal my heart when you might hate me still? How can I convince you of my feelings when you see only the facade, not the man beneath? I have tried, so many times, to summon the courage to speak. Yesterday in the library, when I suggested we get betrothed—to me it was never a ruse—I was on the verge of confessing it all, but the weight of my mistakes—my cowardice—held me back.

So many mistakes, Emily. So much regret.

Can you ever forgive me? Truly and with all your heart and soul? I convinced myself you needed more time, yet time has only deepened the chasm between us. The longer I wait, the more tangled this web becomes.

Please, believe me when I say this: through all these long and lonely years, my heart has been yours and yours alone. I have longed for you every day. And now that I have found you, I swear I will never let you go again.

We are leaving for London tomorrow. You might not see this before we leave. But this time, Emily, I shall tell you everything in person. No more letters, no more half-truths. Only the truth, laid bare.

Yours ever lovingly,

Fenn

Jasper Fennimore Sinclair

Duke of Wolferton