Page 99 of One Night with an Earl

He removed a slender box from inside his coat pocket and placed it on the table by her hand. It was wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with string.

“What is this for?”

There was an odd quirk to his lips before he broke into a grin. “Happy birthday, Ana.”

A sharp intake of breath crossed her lips. “You remembered?” She’d only briefly mentioned her birthday. She’d also confessed it was the reason she’d been at the Silver Chalice dressed as Lady Scarlet.

“I never forget a date.” He tapped a finger to his forehead. “It’s a curse I have with numbers. My stewards marvel at the accuracy of my ledgers.” He motioned toward the box. “Go ahead and open it.”

With the anticipation of a child, she tore the brown wrapping to find a diamond necklace nestled in black velvet. Her hand trembled as she reached for the necklace. The filigree gold chain was heavy in her hand, and a set of brilliant diamonds formed the shape of a delicate bow. Stunned, she lifted the chain and candlelight glinted off the jewels. It must have cost a small fortune. Speechless, she looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Thirty is an important birthday,” he said.

“Thirty is not a flattering age for a woman, especially an unmarried one. There is no question as to my status as a spinster.”

His dark gaze traveled over her face. “You don’t look like a spinster to me.”

She didn’t feel like one. Not when she was with him. She felt utterly lovely and desirable.

Pressure built in her chest, and she feared her heart would burst. No one had ever given her such a lavish gift, even when her parents were alive. And since the baron’s death, no one had remembered her birthday.

She lowered her gaze, worried he would see the depth of love in her eyes. It would be as obvious as if she had held up a sign proclaiming the words.

“If you do not like it, I will have the jeweler make something else for you.”

He must have mistaken her hesitation. She looked up at him. “No, it’s not that. It’s the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me.”

“You deserve more.”

“Tis a shame I cannot wear it in the Malvern household.” A companion did not possess expensive jewels.

“Then wear it to sleep and dream of our time together.”

She already dreamt of him when they were apart. Her heart had never stood a chance with him, had it? From the first moment she’d seen him at the Silver Chalice, she’d known he was special, and she hadn’t lied when she expressed her desire to Madame Crescent.

I want him.

She still did, only more deeply than she could ever have imagined. She wondered if her love for him was evident in her eyes, her expression, her gestures.

More than before, she feared telling him the full truth. Surely it would change things between them, and she dreaded the thought. He looked at her with desire, fascination, adoration. The way no man had ever looked at her before and most likely never would again. How could she not want to hold onto the moment—to make it last as long as she could?

It could wait. One more day. She would enjoy the evening, enjoy this special birthday with the man she loved.

Tomorrow would intrude soon enough.

…

“How is your progress with Lady Penelope?”

Oliver set down his quill as his grandmother invaded his study with all the aplomb of a general.

Oliver leaned back in his leather chair. “Is the only reason you come to visit me nowadays to inquire about my personal affairs? Should I be offended?”

She huffed and settled in the chair across from him and held up a hand. “I promised not to intervene in your affairs, and I’ve kept my word.”

“Then why are the first words out of your mouth an inquiry about Lady Penelope?”

She looked up beneath craggy brows. “Because Lady Malvern has invited me to an intimate dinner at Malvern house, and she slyly indicated that she’d prefer for you to join us. Would you like to accompany me?”