The Untamed Earl(89)

“No! Apparently, she’s run off without Lord Branford. From what I gathered, she’s quite alone.”

“Alone?” Alex replied. “I don’t understand. Whyever would she run off?”

Lucy shook her head. “No one is quite certain, but they suspect she’s headed north.”

“We have some news of our own,” Owen said to Lucy. “Though perhaps not quite as shocking.”

Lucy blinked at the two of them before a wide smile spread across her face. “You’re engaged, aren’t you?” She clapped her hands together and spun around in a circle. “Thank goodness the two of you finally came to your senses. That ‘climbing the tree’ business helped, didn’t it?”

“Yes,” Alex replied, blushing.

“Good heavens, whyever did you allow me to prattle on about Society gossip when we have a wedding to plan? When will the happy occasion be?” Lucy asked, obviously warming to her subject.

“I was thinking next spring would be nice,” Alex replied.

Owen winced. “Have a care, darling. I don’t think I can wait that long.”

Alex smiled at him. “Yes, you can. You’re no longer the impatient aristocrat. Spoiled and getting whatever he wants whenever he wants it.”

Owen grinned unrepentantly. “I’m not?”

“No,” Alex replied. “Don’t you know? You’re no longer the untamed earl. I’ve tamed you quite soundly.”

“That you have, darling.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it.