Page 103 of Discovering Her Earl

He was really there. Walking toward her with a devilish grin, looking slightly rumpled. Julian was there.

“What…?” She swallowed and tried again. “What are you doing here?”

“You are here, and I want to be where you are.”

She shook her head.

“But you need to return. Time is running out. Your birthday is in just a few weeks and you must find someone to marry.”

“I have already found the person I want to marry. It is the reason I am here.” He kneeled before her and offered up an exquisite emerald ring. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, Elaina?”

“I would love nothing more but marrying me will mean giving up your mines. I can’t do that.”

He stood again and sighed.

“I have found a way. Or rather Hale has. He is going to purchase the mines from Osborne after the transfer and sell them back to me. It may be a while, but I’ll pay him back.”

“But you shouldn’t have to lose them at all. I can’t allow you to make such a sacrifice.”

“It is not a sacrifice at all to get my own way.”

He tilted his head to the side and winked at her with his normal boyish charm. Her heart, raw and broken, seemed to heal as if it had never been injured. How did he do such a thing?

“But later you might—”

“Be so deliriously happy with my choice I won’t care that our coffers are not overflowing. We will not be destitute, love. I promise I can provide for you and our children. We might not have excess, but we’ll have each other. We’ll make it work.” He blinked and his grin faded. “Unless it matters to you.”

She smacked him in the arm.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter to me. I love you, not your money or your title. And I don’t need extravagance. I’m certain whatever we have will be enough to keep me in breeches.”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes. So much I left London rather than have to see you marry someone else. As you said, it was unbearable.”

“I love you, Elaina. I can’t marry anyone else. I don’t want to marry you to rebel against my father’s wishes, though it is a welcome incentive. I want to spend my life with you, Lainey.”

He kissed her and she felt her resolve melt away.

“Marry me? Please? We will be happy, I promise. Say yes.”

“Yes,” she answered. There was no other answer. She wanted him too much.

Seeing him smile, she knew it was the right thing. No matter what happened, they would face it together.

He kissed her, but just when it started to lead somewhere he backed away.

“One thing. What do you think of the name Jeremy for our firstborn son?”

She laughed, vaguely remembering hearing the Duke of Roxburghe’s given name was Jeremy.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Good. Then stay here. I’ll be right back,” he said before stealing another kiss and rushing off.

“Where are you going?” He’d just asked her to marry him and he was leaving? Not that he could get far since they were out at sea.

Instead of answering, he called out for the captain who appeared too quickly to have been very far away. Bentley was also there.