"I suppose that makes us both quite mad."
"Perhaps we are. Cecily says—" She broke off, coloring a little.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"She says that we are well matched."
"What a wise child."
"A most unhappy one. That is my one regret about what happened today. I don't care a fig for the Entwhistles or my aunt's goodwill. But I do feel so wretched about being the cause of Cecily's losing her London Season."
"There is a solution to the problem."
"Don't suggest that I write to my mother. You must know as well as I how futile—"
"I was thinking more about my sister."
"Lady Augusta?"
"You have no notion how fond Gus is of playing matchmaker. It would give her the greatest delight to sponsor your sister. Such a treat might even make up to her for all the torment I have put her through these past weeks."
"If you truly think so," Audra said doubtfully. "It would be a wonderful thing for Cecily, the greatest of favors. I have no idea how I would ever repay you for such a kindness."
"Do not look so uneasy about it. I would not demand anything unreasonable such as your marrying me, though I still think that would be a very good notion."
"Perhaps it would be, especially when I need to ask you another favor."
He eyed her questioningly.
"I wondered if it is too late . . . That is, could you instruct your estate agent, Mr. Wylie, not to look out for another tenant. I find I am not so eager to run away as I thought."
Another man might have required more, but Raeburn would never be the sort to need lengthy explanations. He merely held his arms wide, tenderly pronouncing her name.
"Audra."
She stepped into them, burying her face against his shoulder. He held her close, brushing his lips against her hair.
"You must still be patient with me, Raeburn. I have been a spinster for a long time. After watching Mama so often make a fool of herself, I still find the prospect of being in love quite terrifying."
"You think I do not?" he said, pulling her closer. Gazing down at her fondly, he said, "We shall take all the time that you need. Even after the banns are cried, you will have three weeks to cry off."
He bent to kiss her, when something dropped from his pocket. She was astonished to see that it was a copy of Ivanhoe.
"Your sister told me what her dog had done to yours," he said. "I thought I would lend you mine."
Audra seized it eagerly. "I thought I should never know what became of Ivanhoe and his lady at the end of the book."
"If you like," Raeburn said. "I would be only too happy to demonstrate." Yanking her hard against him, his mouth sought hers in a long, lingering kiss.
The hazy thought crossed Audra's mind. In many ways, Raeburn was far superior to anything in her library. As she tightened her arms about him, the book slipped from her grasp entirely unnoticed.
###
:
Author Susan Carroll began her career in 1986, writing historical romance and regencies, two of which were honored by Romance Writers of America with the RITA award. She has written twenty six novels to date. Her St. Leger series received much acclaim. The Bride Finder was honored with a RITA for Best Paranormal Romance in 1999. Ms. Carroll launched a new series with the publication of The Dark Queenl set during the turbulent days of the French Renaissance. Ms. Carroll was born in Latrobe, Pa. She spent much of her childhood in South Jersey where she graduated from Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing. She attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a B.A. in English with a minor in history. She currently resides in Illinois.
Discover other titles by Susan Carroll
Masquerade
Rendezvous
Escapade
The Painted Veil
Winterbourne
Brighton Road
Look for more Regency titles by Susan Carroll to be released this summer: The Sugar Rose, Mistress Mischief and Miss Prentiss and the Yankee.
The Wooing of Miss Masters Page 18