Page 25 of Sin and Serendipity

“Ellie.” Robert’s soft voice drew her gaze to his face, and the tender heat in his eyes made her heart stutter. He swallowed, his throat working. “God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, cupping her cheek in his palm, his touch warm and sweet.

“So are you,” she whispered, meaning every word.

He was beautiful, ruggedly so, with his arresting blue-gray eyes, his strong nose, his firm mouth. She touched the pads of her fingers to his lips, her cheeks flushing as she thought of the pleasure they could bring, of the wicked, wonderful torment they had just wrought on her body…

Robert groaned, grasping her hand gently in his. “Jesus, Ellie. You shouldn’t look at me like that. I can’t…” He leaned in, his mouth nearly touching hers, and she tilted her face up, anticipating his kiss…

But he stilled, and then his head dipped, his eyes falling shut. “Ah, hell.”

“What is it?” Her brows drew together as she searched his face. “What’s wrong?”

His smile was rueful, almost regretful, as his gaze rose to hers. “I want you, that’s what’s wrong,” he said plainly. “I want to marry you. I want conversations about art, and kisses in the garden. A dozen daughters with your clever mind and remarkable eyes.” He swallowed, gently squeezing her hand in his. “I’m in love with you, Ellie.”

She stared at him, stunned, her heart knocking against her ribcage like a wild thing.

Robert wanted to marry her?

He loved her?

“I want you,” he went on, “but I won’t seduce you into agreeing to be my bride. I won’t coax. I won’t beg. If you want me, I’m yours. And if you don’t...” His smile sobered, his hand slipping from hers. “If you don’t, we need never speak of this again. The decision is yours, Ellie.”

He held her gaze for a long, tense moment. Then abruptly turned and walked away.

Dazed, Ellie watched him go, too stunned to do anything but stare at his retreating form as he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. Only then did she remember to breathe.

Inhaling deeply, she fell back against the wall, resting her head against the cool stone as she released a long, slow exhale.

What in heaven’s name had just happened? Her heart was beating a frantic tattoo, her mind a frenzied whirl of confused thoughts.

Robert loved her. He wanted to marry her.

How was it possible? They’d only just met, for heaven’s sake! He barely knew her! How could he love her? How could he want to share his life with her, a girl he’d known only a handful of days?

She sighed, worrying her lower lip between her teeth, more confused than she’d ever been before. Robert was a kind and decent man, and she liked him a great deal—she even cared for him—but she wasn’t in love with him.

She couldn’t be. Because she loved Freddy.

Didn’t she?

Chapter Nine

It was a perfect day for a walk in the park. At least, according to Ellie’s mother. Ellie herself would have been quite content to spend the afternoon in the comfort—and solitude—of her own bedchamber, but Mrs. Wrencroft insisted the fresh air would do them both good.

So here they were, ambling up the too-bright, too-crowded footpath leading to Kensington Gardens, smiling and nodding at their fellow amblers as they passed by. All this smiling and squinting was beginning to give Ellie a headache.

She let her gaze fall to the path and her mind began to wander again, a frequent occurrence these last two days, ever since that stunning, astounding encounter with Robert in the Henleys’ garden.

She hadn’t seen him since, and still had no idea what to make of his confession, or even how she felt about it. Thoughts of their kiss, of the pleasure he’d brought her, made her breath catch in her throat even now. It had been…incredible.

It was what happened afterward that unsettled her mind. His confession of love, his desire to marry her. The admission had shocked her, and even now, two days later, she was still stunned. And so, so confused.

“What a perfectly lovely day!” Mrs. Wrencroft said, clasping her gloved hands together with a contented sigh. “Isn’t it a lovely day, my dear?”

Ellie gave her mother a smile. “Yes, Mama. Lovely.”

Mrs. Wrencroft drew to an abrupt stop, turning to face her with a frown. “Eleanor, what is wrong? You have been out of sorts for two days now and I’m beginning to worry.”

Ellie shook her head. “Nothing is wrong, Mama. I’m fine.”