Those words were the last thing, positively the last thing Jo had ever thought to hear from Daniel’s lips.
But she could not doubt she had heard them when Daniel now knelt before her, clasping one of her hands in both of his, his expression one of hope and a look of vulnerability in the depths of his beautiful green eyes.
Daniel loved her?
No, he had said he was deeply in love with her.
Happiness like she had never known before began to blossom and then exploded in Jo’s chest. Daniel loved her and wanted to marry her.
Still she hesitated. “You are not merely being honorable?”
His mouth twisted into a self-derisive smile. “My feelings toward you are far too dishonorable for me to ever be able to claim that.” He sobered as he gazed deeply into her eyes. “When I realized you had gone from Latham Park, and during those long days of not knowing where you were or if you were safe, I came to realize I love you more than anyone or anything else on earth. If anything had happened to you, I do not know what I would have done…” He gave a shudder. “I would have been inconsolable.”
“Really?”
His brow lowered. “I am not sure it is altogether reassuring that you sound happy at the prospect.”
“But of course it is.” Jo moved down to her knees in front of him. “I love you so very much, Daniel… What are your other names?”
“Daniel James George Somersby.”
“Then, Daniel James George Somersby, I accept your marriage proposal.” She placed her fingertips over his lips as he would have spoken. “I accept it because I love you so much, the thought of not seeing you again has been breaking my heart these past four days.”
“Mine also,” he admitted gruffly. “God, how much I love you,” he choked emotionally as his hands framed either side of her face. “And how much you are going to cause disorder and upset in my life,” he murmured with satisfaction before lowering his head and kissing her with a tenderness that put all past hurts behind them and left only the rosy glow of their future together.
“Now, about the sturdiness of this desk.” Jo held on to Daniel’s hand as they rose to their feet together. “I really think we need to test exactly how sturdy it is.”
Daniel laughed huskily as he laid her down on the desktop before joining her there. “Later on tonight, I sincerely hope to make love to you in a bed at last.”
“Every night,” Jo confirmed, her face glowing with happiness. “For the rest of our lives.”
The marriage between Daniel James George Somersby, the Earl of Latham, and Lady Josephine Mary Elizabeth Kendall, took place one month later in St George’s Church, London.
The service was attended by all their family and friends.
Family members included the Duke and Duchess of Blackmoor, the groom’s sister and brother-in-law, and their young son, the Marquis of Aaron, the groom’s son and daughter-in-law, the Viscount and Countess Hadley and their newborn son, Lord James Somersby.
Friends attending were the Prince Regent, the Duke and Duchess of Stowmont, the Marquis and Marchioness of Oxbridge, the Earl and Countess of Winterbourne, the Viscount and Viscountess Brooketon, Lord and Lady Alexander Whitney, the Marquis and Marchioness of Trent, and Mr. and Mrs. Ranulf Montgomery, who had traveled down from Scotland in order to attend.
The newly married Earl and Countess of Latham intend spending their honeymoon traveling in Europe for several months.
It is believed the bride has expressed an interest in purchasing a new desk for her husband whilst they are there.
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About The Author
Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2015, a Pioneer for Romance Romantic Times Award in 2014. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her ‘outstanding service to literature’. Carole has written over 220 contemporary and Regency novels.
She is happily married to Peter. They have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man. She also loves to hear from Readers!
Other books by Carole Mortimer
Regency Unlaced Series:
The Duke’s Mistress (Book 1)
Claimed by the Marquis (Book 2)
Taken by the Earl (Book 3)
Pursued by the Viscount (Book 4)
Desired by a Lord (Book 5)
Captured by a Gentleman (Book 6)
Pleasured by a Duke (Book 7)
Seduced by a Marquis (Book 8)
Tamed by the Earl (Book 9)
Series is now complete
Regency Sinners Series:
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
More to come in this series
Knight Security Series:
Resisting Alexandre (Knight Security 0.5)
Defying Asher (Knight Security 1)
Challenging Gabriel (Knight Security 2)
Capturing Caleb (Knight Security 3)
Tempting Zander (Knight Security 4)
Enticing Ian (Knight Security 5)
Seducing Ethan (Knight Security 6)
ALPHA Series:
Christmas Alpha (Alpha 1)
Dark Alpha (Alpha 2)
Shadow Alpha (Alpha 3) Author’s 200th Book
Midnight Alpha (Alpha 4)
Renegade Alpha (Alpha 5)
Warrior Alpha (Alpha 6)
Rogue Alpha (Alpha 7)
Savage Alpha (Alpha 8)
Series is now complete
Tamed by the Earl Page 13