Reading Online Novel

The Untamed Earl(79)



Alex stared at him with her mouth open. “You have gone mad.”

“Look, Alex, please listen to me.” He turned to her and addressed her fervently, pulling her hand into his. “Hear me out—and then if you want me to leave, I’ll go, immediately. You have my word.”

“Very well,” she said. “I’ll hear you out.”

Owen squeezed her hand. “When I was teaching you how to be a coquette, how to flirt and dance and bat your eyelashes, I was doing everything wrong. The reason you’re special is because you’re honest and forthright and refreshing.”

Alex held her breath. Had he just said she was special?

“You don’t play games,” he continued. “You don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. And that’s what I love about you. Among many other things.”

Tears stung her eyes. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Did you say ‘love’?”

“I did. I do. I can only hope that you will—” He dropped to one knee. “Lady Alexandra Hobbs, please tell me you’ll consider doing me the honor of becoming my bride.”

“You want to marry me, Owen?” The tears fell from her eyes.

“Yes, of course.” He fumbled in his coat pocket for a handkerchief and pressed it into her hand. “Please don’t cry, darling. Please.”

She dabbed at her tears. “I can’t believe you’re here, saying this. I can’t believe you traveled to Bath, and climbed a tree, and—”

“I not only traveled to Bath and climbed a tree, but I also gave all my money to the poorhouse, am planning a run for the House of Commons, and have begun volunteering at an orphanage.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Alex. You’ve made me a better man. From the day I first met you, you have. I’ve stopped drinking, I can’t remember the last time I gambled, and my life has purpose now.”

She quickly pushed the candlestick onto a nearby table and grabbed both his hands and squeezed. “Oh, Owen. I’m so happy for you. Truly, I am. I always knew you could find your way.”

“Do me a favor, love?”

“Anything.” She clutched his hand to her heart.

“Answer my question.” He grinned at her. “You never said. Will you marry me?”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She nodded, brushing away fresh tears.

He pulled her into his arms, and his mouth captured hers.

Alex’s head fell back and her eyes closed. “Take me to bed,” she whispered.

His hands trembled. “Are you certain?”

“Entirely.” She stared deeply into his eyes.

Apparently, that was all Owen needed to hear. He swung her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her there so gently. The only light was from the one candle that she’d left burning across the room. He fell atop her and kissed her ravenously, and Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against his erection, which was poking at her most intimate spot through her gown. He ripped off her night rail and then stopped to remove his boots and cravat and shirt and breeches. They were all gone in short order.

“Are you certain, Alex?” he breathed again. She’d pulled the bedsheets up to her neck, but they didn’t stop her from looking her fill at his magnificent body. She’d once thought he looked like Adonis. More so when he was naked. His shoulders were wide and strong, his forearms muscled, his chest taut and lightly haired, and his abdomen flat. His hips were angular and his manhood stood out, in stark relief, reaching for her. He was huge. She wanted to touch him. Now.

“I’m certain,” she whispered, licking her lips.

There was a flash of relief across his face and then he smiled—and that dimple was her final undoing.

“Don’t hide from me, Alex. Let me see you.”

Alex hesitated but allowed him to pull the sheet away to uncover her nakedness.

“You’re perfect,” he breathed, his hands skimming over her belly and hips and breasts. He cupped her breasts and squeezed lightly. “Exactly as I imagined you would be.”

“You imagined me … naked?”

He snorted. “More often than I should have, I’m sure. What about me? Did you ever imagine me, like this?” He glanced down at his body.

“I couldn’t imagine,” she replied, biting her lip. “But I did hope I’d get to see.”

He chuckled at that and then kissed her again, deeply, his jaw jutting out. She ran her fingertips across its rough surface. Oh, this man was gorgeous and he was hers. Or at least he was going to be hers tonight.

“I only hope I don’t disappoint you,” she whispered in his ear.