The Untamed Earl(87)
“I know. I—I was wrong. Quite wrong. You see, Lavinia told me that you’d offered for her. After we…”
He opened his mouth to speak, but Alex stopped him. “I know I should never have believed such a lie, but she can be quite convincing and I never thought she would lie about something like that and—Oh, Owen, it’s always been difficult for me to believe that someone like you would choose someone like me and—I’m sorry.” Breathless, she stopped and searched his face.
He furrowed his brow. “Someone like me? What do you mean?”
Alex shrugged. “You’re so dashing and handsome and well dressed and well everything. I’m not willowy or ethereal, I spill soup on my gowns, and my slippers are often scuffed and I … I just couldn’t believe you’d want me. But I remembered what you said about my being different—and that being why you loved me. I realized that I’ve spent my whole life trying to be like Lavinia. And … oh…”
He took a step toward her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Slow down. What are you trying to say?”
“I told you once that I wrote a list when I was fifteen. I wrote it the night I saw you under my window, actually.”
He watched her cautiously. “The list of the things you hoped to accomplish in life?”
“Yes.” She tipped down her chin and looked at the leather-bound journal she was clutching to her chest. “A list that included four things. I told you two of them. You asked me what the others were.”
Owen stepped back. “What were the others, love?”
Alex bit her lip. “I remember them … mostly … but…” She tentatively offered him the journal. “I’m a bit frightened to look, to be honest.”
“Frightening things are always better when you get them over with,” Owen replied with a lopsided smile.
“Oh, are they?” She smiled back.
“Yes. Here, do you want me to read it for you?”
Alex closed her eyes and handed him the diary. She nodded. “Yes, please. The list is on the first page.” Then she promptly covered her face with her hands.
Owen opened the book and cleared his throat. “‘Become brave and daring like Thomas,’” he read.
Alex peeked out from behind her fingertips. “That one’s not so bad.”
“‘Become beautiful, willowy, and poised like Lavinia,’” Owen read with a scowl. “Now, that one was entirely unnecessary.”
“I quite agree,” Alex replied, pulling her hands away from her face and plucking at her skirts instead. “I’m never going to be like Lavinia in either looks or temperament, and that is perfectly acceptable.”
Owen stepped toward her again and pushed up her chin with the thumb of his free hand. “It’s not only acceptable. It’s preferable, Alex.”
“Go on,” she prompted, nodding toward the journal again.
He reopened the book and scanned the page. “‘Have a come-out during which an exceedingly eligible gentleman asks me to dance, thereby making the affair a smashing success.’” Owen glanced up at her, and his face softened. “I’m sorry that didn’t happen for you.”
“But it did! Just a few months after my actual come-out,” Alex replied with a laugh.
“I wish I’d been at the first one.”
“Read the last one,” Alex prodded.
Owen turned his attention back to the journal. “‘Marry my true love. Must be handsome, dashing, witty, kind, true, and honorable.’” He cleared his throat. “Seems you’ve crossed out ‘name to be determined later.’”
“Yes,” she replied, and pressed her lips together. “I did that after I saw Adonis beneath my window that night.”
Their eyes met.
“Keep reading,” she prompted.
Owen bent his head toward the journal once more. “Lord Owen Monroe.” His voice cracked. He snapped the book shut and pulled her into his arms and kissed her, then hugged her fiercely.
When he pulled away, tears were shining in Alex’s eyes. “I told you I’ve loved you since I was fifteen.”
He grinned at her. “Are you saying you love me now?”
“Yes, and I can only hope you still love me.”
Owen kissed her again, and when he finally pulled his mouth from hers, Alex was staring deeply into his eyes. She traced the outline of his jaw with her fingertip. “I love you, Lord Owen Monroe.”
“And I love you, Lady Alexandra Hobbs,” he whispered.
Alex cleared her throat and stepped back. “I must admit, hearing that list again makes me a bit sad.”