An Unlikely Father

by Lynn Collum

  The countess’s mouth tipped into a hopeful smile. “There is but one way to find out. He is there in the garden, child. Go to him.”

  Emily turned to gaze at the earl, still sitting staring at the ground. Fear raced through her. What if she couldn’t convince him to forgive her? So much depended on what would occur in the next few moments. She rose without further ado, going straight to the glass door and quietly letting herself into the garden.

  Oliver sat on a marble bench, his mind a black void. For weeks he’d tried to convince himself he should go to Emily and try again. Sir Ethan swore to him that Mr. Collins had convinced the lady he was after her money. But Oliver knew he had only his word that it was all a lie. As the memory of her rejection played over again in his mind, he knew his pride wouldn’t let him face her refusal again.

  Oliver’s gaze fell to a large stone mixed among the gravel. He picked it up and tossed it with all his might, as if the action might relieve some of his frustration. He’d promised not to force his attentions on Emily again. In all honesty, he wasn’t certain that once he was in her presence, he could resist trying to bend her to his will by the sheer force of his passion for her. He was living a nightmare. He wanted her so badly, yet he was afraid to go to her.

  The soft crunch of gravel on the walk penetrated his pain-fogged brain and he looked up. He started to his feet. “Emily!”

  “My lord.” Her amber eyes searched his face; then she gave a slight shrug. “There are a thousand things I should say, but I think too much talk is what got us into this predicament.” She moved to stand before him. “I love you, Oliver.”

  The earl couldn’t believe his ears. Was this a dream? He reached out his hand to stroke her cheek, and it was warm and real.

  “My dearest Emily.” With that he gave in to his desire and drew her into his arms and showered kisses on the lady’s upturned face as she placed her arms around his neck, laughing and crying with joy as the earl again asked for her hand and she gladly gave it—along with her heart.

  It was some considerable time before words were again spoken, the pair being so lost in each other, but at last Emily drew back to ask. “Should we speak of what happened?”

  Oliver’s arms tightened about her. “It’s in the past, my love. I have only one thing to tell you to remove any doubts you may have as to my love. Your fortune is yours to do with as you wish. I shan’t object if you wish to toss every last groat to the poor in the streets of London.”

  “Are you proposing I start a riot? For that is surely what would occur.”

  The earl laughed as he fingered a brown curl near her lovely face. “My dear, you may do as you please as long as you marry me.”

  Just then a child’s voice echoed in the garden. “Miss Collins, Miss Collins, you have come to visit us!”

  The earl released his hold on Emily as Honoria, Jamie, Kali, the countess, Miss Millet and James Carson entered the garden through the Yellow Morning Room.

  The children dashed forward and threw themself into the lady’s open arms. They were full of news of the things which had occurred since she left them, the most important of which was, naturally, the return of their father.

  At last Jamie turned to Honoria and said, “See—I told you Uncle would smile again if only Miss Collins would return.”

  The little girl drew Emily to her. “Say you will stay with us so Uncle Oliver will smile.”

  Emily grinned at the earl. “I do believe I shall, my dear.”

  Just then the other adults arrived. First there were introductions. Then Mr. Carson, a man slightly shorter than his brother but with similar dark brown hair and blue eyes, did his best to thank the lady for all her kindness to his children.

  At last the countess, too blunt to contain her curiosity, remarked, “Well, Oliver, I must assume that we are to wish you happy after having seen you maul the girl so abominably for the last several minutes.”

  Emily blushed, but the earl proudly put his arm round her. “Miss Collins has consented to by my wife, Grandmother.”

  Lady Hawksworth gave a contented sigh, then came and gave her grandson and his prospective bride a kiss. “Well, it’s about time. Pray don’t dawdle over the arrangements. You know how I dislike staying in Town, and I cannot leave until after the ceremony.”

  “I fully agree, madam.” He smiled down at Emily. “What say you to a special license, my love?”

  Lady Hawksworth’s grey eyes grew round. “Special license! Nonsense! That will do well enough for Sir Ethan and Mrs. Keaton, but an Earl of Hawksworth does not marry in such a shabby manner. The wedding shall be in St. George’s in three weeks.”

  Oliver shook his head. “I seem to remember something about a promise to no longer interfere in my affairs, dear lady.”

  The countess opened her mouth to protest; then, seeing the look on everyone’s face, she begrudgingly said, “Oh, very well. I shall leave it all to you, my boy.”

  With that, James Carson took his grandmother’s arm. “I do believe we should leave the happy couple to make their own decision. Come children, let us return indoors.”

  After the gentleman led his protesting children back into the town house, Oliver turned to Emily, tilting her chin up. “What say you, my love? Shall it be a grand Society affair or would you prefer something simple?”

  “Well, sir, I have this amazingly beautiful Hindustani wedding dress I purchased in Calcutta.” The lady then proceeded to describe the red sari which had so scandalized her friend.

  Oliver grinned, then kissed her soundly. In a husky voice, he whispered, “You little minx, I think it must be the special license. I, and only I, shall see you in that wedding dress anon.”

  In the most docile of voices, Emily replied, “As ever, I am yours to command, my love.”

  Lord Hawksworth laughed before he kissed the managing Miss Collins soundly.

  About the Author

  Lynn Collum lives with her family in Florida and is the author of five Zebra Regency romances. She is currently working on a Regency trilogy focusing on two sisters and a brother. The first book in the trilogy, taking place at Christmas, will be published in December 2000, the second, taking place on Valentine’s day, in February 2001 and the third, against the backdrop of a spring wedding, in April 2001. Lynn loves to hear from her readers and you may write to her at: RO. Box 478, Deland, FL 32721. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish a response.