Page 17 of Snowbound with the Earl (Snowbound #2)

She gasped, and he realized he hadn’t told her how he felt, how he still felt.

“I’ve loved you these past ten years. I never stopped loving you.

Because I love you, I want all of you. I want to wake up with you.

Go to bed with you. Sit with you in my box at the theater and call you Lady Evergreen.

I’m asking you to consider me for a husband.

Whatever clauses you want in the marriage contract, I’ll agree to.

May I write to you and continue this discussion? ”

She bit her lip and gazed into his eyes. “On one condition.”

“Anything.”

“Dance with me.”

He cursed under his breath. “You know I detest dancing. The only balls I’ve ever attended were out of obligation or to see you and hold you in my arms.”

“I want to dance with you again. Dance with me tonight, at Lady Dorsey’s ball, and I’ll consider marrying you.”

Without another word, she rose, shook out her skirts, and started for the door.

“Is there nothing else I could do to persuade you? I assure you, I have an excellent imagination, and I know how to use it.”

She gave him a soft smile. “I’ll be downstairs.” And with that, she opened the door and departed.

Graham sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. He would need the brandy after all.

***

HE WAS NOT COMING DOWN. Noelle had been so certain Graham would be right on her heels. She had told the truth when she’d said she was afraid to marry, afraid of losing her independence. But this was Graham. She knew him. She knew the sort of man he was. He’d never seek to bend her to his whims.

And he loved her. He loved her! No one had ever loved her before, and that meant everything.

And yet...she wanted some sort of small concession.

In her experience, men like her father and Bonneville were never willing to bend to a woman on even the smallest matters.

If Noelle was to give Graham her trust by bestowing her hand in marriage, she wanted to be certain he was a man willing to bow to a woman’s wishes.

She knew he hated dancing. He’d danced with her only a handful of times during her Season and only because that was the only way to spend time with her.

He’d much preferred to take her riding or to the theater.

Noelle knew why Graham didn’t enjoy dancing. He was a very poor dancer indeed.

And yet, that was the one thing she asked of him.

And he was not coming.

Eyes stinging with tears she refused to shed, she stared at the dance floor and watched Lord Jersey execute a step with Miss Halifax.

Miss Halifax smiled at the viscount shyly while across the ballroom, Mr. and Mrs. Halifax smiled at each other.

Perhaps all would end well for Miss Halifax.

Lord Jersey was in want of a wife, and though he was at least twenty years older than Miss Halifax, he was still in very good form.

Noelle hoped for the best for Miss Halifax.

Her father, on the other hand, was another matter. If she ever again encountered him in public, she’d give him the cut direct.

The dance ended, and Lord Foster escorted Miss Edmonton from the dance floor, depositing her near Noelle and bowing to her. Noelle pretended not to listen as Foster rose and leaned close to Miss Edmonton. “When we have all returned home, would you allow me to write to you, Miss Edmonton?” he asked.

Noelle imagined Miss Edmonton blushed. Her voice was quiet when she answered, “I’d like that very much, my lord.”

Noelle sighed, happy for the younger women. When Eva approached, she smiled. “Lady Dorsey, it seems you have hosted another successful house party,” she said.

“You are not angry about the snow? I did promise you we would not be snowbound.”

“You can hardly control the weather.” Noelle raised a brow. “Or is there something I don’t know?”

Eva laughed. “No, I cannot control the weather, though I think the time indoors might have contributed to a few romances. Did you see Miss Halifax and Lord Jersey dancing?”

“I did. Lord Foster just asked Miss Edmonton if he could write to her.”

Eva clasped her hands. “This warms my heart! If only I could find a match for you. I thought Lord Evergreen—”

“Eva. I don’t want anyone to matchmake for me. I’m quite enjoying being an independent woman.”

“I know, but I did think I saw something between you two.”

Noelle glanced at the longcase clock nearby.

Nearly a half hour had passed since she’d asked Graham to join her.

His time was up. “You must be mistaken,” she told Eva.

“In fact, I think I will go up...” Her words died on her tongue as Graham stepped into the ballroom.

He wore a dark blue coat of superfine, dark breeches, and a white waistcoat.

His starched white shirt boasted a perfectly tied cravat.

His eyes roamed the room then settled on her. He smiled and started toward her.

Eva said something, but Noelle could not hear her.

She couldn’t even hear the orchestra as it began to play another piece.

Her heart beat in her throat and all the air whooshed out of her lungs.

For a moment, she thought she imagined the handsome man crossing the floor to claim her.

He looked almost too perfect with the dimples in his cheeks and those beautiful eyes locked on her.

He stopped before her and Eva and bowed. “Good evening, Lady Dorsey. Lady Bonneville,” he said.

“Recovered from your cough?” Eva asked.

He smiled, his gaze never leaving Noelle’s face. “Quite. In fact, I feel well enough to ask Lady Bonneville for this dance. Waltz with me, my lady?”

Noelle stared into his lapis blue eyes. She remembered how they had darkened with pleasure last night.

She held out her trembling hand, and he took it, leading her to the center of the floor.

The other couples moved aside, dancing around them as Graham pulled her into his arms and began to lead her in the steps.

He was not graceful. He was little more than competent, but Noelle felt as though she were flying.

She did not believe her feet even touched the floor.

She couldn’t look away from his lovely eyes.

In his gaze, she saw desire and need and love. So much love.

“Y-you love me,” she murmured.

“I never stopped,” he said, turning her so quickly her head spun. “Do you love me?”

“I never stopped.”

His hand on her waist tightened. “This time we will find a way to be together. If you aren’t ready to marry me, we’ll find another solution. All I want is to be with you.”

That was all she wanted as well. Yes, marrying again was a gamble, but for love, she was willing to risk it. “Then I think we shall both be very happy,” she said with a smile. “Because the answer to your earlier question is yes. Yes, Graham, I will marry you.”

He inhaled sharply then his face broke out into an enormous grin. “Do you think we will shock everyone if I kiss you right now?”

“Yes,” she said. “But do it anyway.”

He dipped her back and kissed her, right in the middle of the ballroom. Noelle had no idea whether the other guests gasped or cheered or ignored them completely. All she knew was that she never would have expected her life to come full circle or that she could be so perfectly happy.

What Eva always said was true—anything was possible at Christmastime.