Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1)
Page 20
His feet flew down the stairs as he raced to be the first person in the drawing room after dinner.
He pushed open the door and saw Ellie sitting by the fire with her father. The scene was quite lovely and he was loathe to interrupt it.
“Good evening, Robert.” William greeted him and motioned for him to come forward.
Ellie ignored him and turned her head away. Robert could feel anger rolling off her in waves.
He bowed, the butterflies in his belly wreaking havoc.
“Good evening. Are you still expecting guests tonight, William?”
William nodded, sipping his port.
“Yes, I believe I just heard their carriage.”
William stood and they turned as one to watch the family filter into the drawing room.
Robert nodded politely and swallowed his need to scream. This was such an important night and his need to make it right for his future wife; incredible. He never felt this way when proposing for the first time.
The night moved on. Ellie chatted by the fire with one of the young ladies and Robert was pulled into a conversation about land management and tenants.
The house looked especially beautiful tonight. The servants had decorated the house for Christmas, how had he not noticed it earlier? There was greenery above the fireplace, candles everywhere.
A Yule log sat next to the fireplace, ready for the following day.
Nothing said Christmas like an overstocked, blazing fire. The fireplace full of wood and giving off enough heat to make the people in the room more than warm.
Robert couldn’t wait a moment longer. After spending five years floating along in his life like a twig in a river, he wanted to grab hold of control and the direction of his life. And that started with her.
“Will you excuse me? I must speak to Ellie for a moment.”
He pointedly looked over at William. His familiar eyes warmed and he nodded.
Robert took a deep breath, turned and marched directly over to the woman whom he wanted above all others.
“Ellie, I need to ask you again. I want to do it properly this time.”
Her eyes shimmered with tears and she turned her head away. He held both of her hands and didn’t allow her to escape when she would have.
“You already did and I said no.”
He squeezed her warm hands and dropped to both knees in front of her. If he was going all in, then he would give it his real all.
“Robert… No, please get up.”
Ellie’s pleading broke his heart but hardened his resolve.
Everyone in the room had gone quiet and Robert felt his cheeks heat in embarrassment. Yet he refused to look away from Ellie’s eyes.
“Ellie, I’m sorry I bungled my proposal today. I wasn’t honest with you.”
Her eyes cleared and she looked straight at him.
“What do you mean?”
There were so many things he could say, but only one thing that actually mattered.
“I mean, I’m in love with you.”
Several people gasped and tears now filled Ellie’s eyes. Robert ploughed on.
“You deserved to know the truth, but I was cowardly during our picnic. Forgive me?”
She nodded and dropped her head to hide the tears.
He moved back to his feet and cupped her beautiful face in his hands. Applying pressure he lifted her face up to his.
“Say you’ll marry me. Make me the happiest man on Earth.”
Ellie blinked and the tears rolled down her cheeks. Robert tilted his head and kissed them both, absorbing the salt on to his lips.
“Well?”
He searched her eyes for any hint of her feelings.
She smiled, but her lip trembled. “Yes.”
A triumphant grin spread across Robert’s face as happiness filled his entire being. His future had changed course, all because of one green eyed young lady. He was terrified yet elated.
Robert bent his head and kissed his fiancée with all the longing and tenderness he would show her for the rest of their lives.