by Buck, Gayle
“Lord Cardiff! What a surprise to meet you here,” said Mr. Owen, advancing across the roadway to meet his lordship and shake his hand.
“And you, sir. I believe fate has truly taken a hand in my affairs!” said Cardiff with a flashing grin, wringing the elderly gentleman’s hand. Mr. Owen grimaced slightly, and Cardiff apologized for his over-show of strength.
“What appears to be the problem, my lord?” asked Mr. Owen, gesturing towards the canted carriage. The vehicle lay practically on its side, having been popped over by the force of the splintering axle and its own speed.
Cardiff explained quickly about the broken axle. His predicament seemed completely unimportant to him now with the appearance of the Owens and their niece. “However, that is not the most pressing thing on my mind, Mr. Owen. You will be astonished to hear that I was on my way back to your home.”
“Indeed!” Mr. Owen was obviously taken aback. He regarded Lord Cardiff in some surprise. “May I ask for what purpose, my lord?”
“I wished to proffer my suit to your niece,” said Cardiff quietly.
Mr. Owen’s long jaw dropped. He recovered himself. “I see! I confess, my lord, you astonish me!”
With a swift grin, Cardiff said, “I astonish myself.”
“I was under the impression that you were returning shortly to Spain,” said Mr. Owen, looking a question.
Cardiff nodded. “I took my leave of Miss Stafford without any other thought than to wrap up my business in England and do just that, sir. However, I discovered that I could not do it. I had to see Miss Stafford again.”
“What motivated you to change your mind, my lord? Do you still feel some sort of obligation towards my niece?” asked Mr. Owen with a sharp glance.
Cardiff shook his head. “An obligation, no! Rather, I feel an awareness and fair certainty that I have fallen in love with her. I realized it almost at once, when I returned to London and the time had come to arrange my passage from England.”
Mr. Owen appeared thoughtful as he glanced again at the younger gentleman. “In that case, perhaps you should like to speak to my niece.”
The two gentlemen had slowly drifted away from the carriages during their extraordinary conversation and turned to retrace their steps. Mr. Owen opened the door to his own carriage. “My dear, here is Lord Cardiff, whose carriage has suffered a broken axle.”
“What an inconvenience to you, my lord! If we had not been on our way to London, it might have been hours before anyone else came by,” said Mrs. Owen in ready sympathy. “I am certain that we can offer you a place in our carriage, can we not, Thatcher?”
“Yes, of course. However, I believe Lord Cardiff would like a word with our niece before anything else is decided,” said Mr. Owen with a meaningful look at his wife.
Mrs. Owen’s slim brows rose in quick surprise. She met her husband’s eyes, then glanced at her niece. A swift blush had risen in Thea’s face, indicating a pretty confusion. Mrs. Owen smiled, her eyes reflecting amusement. “Of course. Thea, why do you not get down and walk a little way with Lord Cardiff?”
“Yes, Aunt,” said Thea quietly. Her heart was pounding as she gathered up her skirts in one gloved hand and prepared to step out of the carriage. She wondered what Lord Cardiff could possibly have to say to her.
Cardiff helped Thea descend to the ground. Mr. Owen remarked that he had no wish to stand about freezing while awaiting his niece’s return. He climbed back inside the carriage and shut the door.
Cardiff offered his arm to Thea, which she accepted, and together they walked a short distance down the hard-frozen road. It was cold and their intermingled breath frosted on the air each time either took a breath, but Thea scarcely noticed it. Her heart was beating wildly because when Lord Cardiff had met her eyes as she descended from the carriage, she had seen the same blaze in his look that they had held when they had danced in the gallery. It heated her clear through, and even if there had been a raging snowstorm, Thea was quite unreasonably positive she would not have felt it.
Now that the moment had come, Cardiff strangely enough felt uncertain of himself. Once he had realized his own heart, he had made the decision quickly enough to drive at once back to the Owens. But now, he did not know quite what to say. He, who had faced battle and outwitted a French spy, who had unhesitantly intervened in an abduction and had emerged unscathed from countless interesting adventures, felt a prickle of sweat slide down his spine.
Cardiff cleared his throat. “Miss Stafford, I asked for this interview because it is important to me.”
“Yes, my lord?” said Thea breathlessly, hoping to encourage him when it seemed that after that promising beginning he had come to a complete stop.
Cardiff cleared his throat again. “The truth is that I was on my way back to your uncle’s home. I had but one objective in mind, and that was to tell you I cannot leave England before I apprise you of my feelings.”
Thea raised her darkening eyes to meet his. “And what of your feelings, my lord?”
Cardiff gave a rueful laugh. “Miss Stafford, I find myself in a quake. I fear your reply and yet I must ask, or forever wonder. Miss Stafford, will you be my wife?”
“You spoke of your feelings, my lord,” said Thea softly, still looking at him.
“I am in love with you,” he said quietly and with utter sincerity.
Thea squealed and threw her arms around Lord Cardiff’s neck, catapulting against him in her enthusiasm. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you, for I love you, too!”
Cardiff staggered with the force of her impact even as his arms went around her. His boot slipped on a treacherous patch of uneven ground, and he crashed down with Thea held firmly against him in his arms. They landed in the soft bank of snow at the edge of the road.
“Your shoulder!” gasped Thea in dismay, struggling to rise. Her large eyes stared down into his face with concern.
Cardiff laughed. His arms tightened even more around her. “I can see that our marriage will always be lively, Thea, and that I risk life and limb in wedding you, but I am well content. Kiss me, sweetheart!”
Thea was unable to resist such a sweet command, and she did as she was bidden. Their lips melded together with the promise of passion to come. Thea thought giddily that her heart must certainly burst from her breast with happiness.
Lord Cardiff’s valet and Mr. Owen came hurrying up, slipping and sliding on patches of ice. “My lord!” exclaimed Potter in high distress. “Are you hurt?”
“Devil a bit,” said Cardiff cheerfully. He rose without assistance and helped Thea to her feet. Still holding her hand close in his, he said, “Mr. Owen, allow me to invite your party to Armouth for an extended stay. My parents will wish to make the acquaintance of my betrothed.”
Mr. Owen smiled broadly. He vigorously rubbed his hands together. “Excellent, my lord! Excellent! I must go at once and tell my dear wife of our change in plans.” The elderly gentleman hurried off, followed more slowly by the valet. Potter was shaking his head as he went.
Cardiff laughed and slipped his arm around Thea’s trim waist. “I fear we have shocked Potter’s sensibilities, my love.”
“It is no wonder when you tumble me into the snow and take such familiarities,” said Thea primly, but with a roguish twinkle in her eyes.
Lord Cardiff’s arm tightened around her until she felt almost breathless. He gazed down at her intently, inspecting each feature of her lovely face. His eyes were very blue, very warm. “Should you mind if we were wed before I return to Spain? I don’t wish to leave you behind.”
“I shan’t mind in the least, my lord,” said Thea shyly, dropping her lashes. “I wouldn’t mind it if you were to carry me off this instant.”
Cardiff gave a shout of laughter. He swooped her up into his arms so that she was pressed firmly against his chest and their faces were close together. He snatched a swift, hard kiss. “Like this, sweetheart?”
Thea smiled lovingly at her lord. Her hands curled around his strong neck. �
�Just like this, David.”
Other Books by Gayle Buck
The Righteous Rakehell
Mutual Consent
Willowswood Match
The Demon Rake
Love’s Masquerade
The Fleeing Heiress
Cassandra’s Deception
Belle’s Beau
Magnificent Match
Honor Beseiged
Lady Althea’s Bargain
Love For Lucinda
Frederica’s Folly
Chester Charade
Cupid’s Choice
Lord Darlington’s Darling
A Chance Encounter
The Waltzing Widow
Tempting Sarah
Lord John’s Lady
Lord Rathbone’s Flirt
The Desperate Viscount
Hearts Betrayed
The Hidden Heart
Miss Dower’s Paragon
Lady Cecily’s Scheme
Regency Tales
Old Acquaintances Holybrooke Curse
Christmas Cheer Season of Joy
Regency Tales: Christmas Collection