Page 67 of The Earl’s Hoyden

He turned to see a bundle of cloth set upon a table beside the door. Her cloak, apparently. He took the item and brought it to her, spreading it over her shoulders.

“I realize now this was not your idea,” he said. “But I should still appreciate the opportunity to speak to you.”

A rattle sounded at the door as someone tried to open it.

Hannah glanced in the direction of the locked door and sighed. “It doesn’t appear I have much of a choice.”

“No, it does not.” Though Lucien spoke grimly, he had never been so overjoyed at a scheme in his life. “And I’m glad for it.”

Hannah blinked up at him.

He gently grasped her hand. “I’ve wanted this moment since I botched my proposal to you. I don’t always know the right way to articulate how I’m feeling. Indeed, I have a terrible habit of saying things entirely wrong. The way I have with you.”

She regarded their joined hands but did not withdraw from his grip.

“The truth of the matter is…” He thought back to the letter he’d written to her, where his heart poured out like poetry onto the page. “The truth is that I believe I’m in love with you.”

Hannah’s eyes flew up to meet his. “I beg your pardon?”

“No.” He shook his head and her brows furrowed. “No, I know I’m in love with you,” he said vehemently.

“Love?” the word squeaked from her mouth as her eyes went wide.

“I haven’t stopped thinking of you for a single moment since you fell into my life.” The corner of his lip twitched. “Quite literally.”

Her mouth lifted in a slight smile.

“It was your vivacity,” he quickly said before he could ruin it all over again. “The openness of your nature, the way you forged your path and strode onward in your carefree manner. It’s the way you laugh, the way you so brilliantly experience and share your joy.” He closed the distance between them and reached out to stroke her face with the back of his gloved hand. “You are radiant, Hannah.”

She pulled away from him. “Is this practice?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, momentarily taken aback.

While there had been difficulties between them, he’d assumed she would be glad of his confession. That there might be a possibility for her to give him a chance to reclaim her heart as she had his.

“If it is practice, you needn’t bother.” Her voice wavered, and her eyes shone with tears. “Because you’re terribly good at it.”

He frowned. “Practice?”

“I overheard your mother say that you were using me for practice, not to pursue for marital options.” Hannah balled her hands into fists and straightened her back. “You needn’t bother as you have far surpassed your tutor.”

“My mother made that heinous suggestion once, and at that time, I not only declined her cruel idea but I also defended your character. You are a good person. I have always known that.”

“And yet the likes of Lady Alison managed to secure your affections so quickly,” Hannah said bitterly.

“I did that for you.” Lucien’s pulse sped up. This was exactly why he needed a private moment to speak with Hannah. Not only inclined to confess his love but also to explain Lady Alison. She had slipped so far from his mind when he first saw Hannah that he’d nearly forgotten.

“She saw us that night,” he explained.

Hannah’s cheeks went red. “Which night?”

“At Vauxhall Gardens.”

A horrified moan escaped her throat, and she covered her face with her hands.

“Lady Alison threatened to spread the word around the ton about our tryst,” he said. “Unless I courted her long enough to encourage the attention of wealthier suitors.”

Hannah dropped her hands and stared at him incredulously.