Page 69 of Loving an Earl
“Edmund,” she said right before he exited, “I love you, too.” Sighing with contentment, Lilly laid down on the chaise and drifted off with a smile on her face.
*
Edmund, with thehelp of his cane, moved around the dining room, adjusting the vases overflowing with flowers on the table. His nervous energy had driven his housekeeper, Mrs. Lewis, mad all afternoon. But everything must be perfect for tonight. The rest of his life rested on this evening going perfectly. If he didn’t calm down, though, he was liable to vomit the moment Lilly entered the front door.
“Sit, my lord,” Mrs. Lewis said. “Everything will be perfect. The cook has outdone herself with the menu, and if you don’t relax, you won’t be able to eat anything. Do you have the ring?”
Inside his jacket pocket, Edmund’s fingers curled around a black box holding a ring of emeralds and diamonds he had commissioned for Lilly. After he blurted out the first proposal, he had visited a jeweler. Though up until yesterday, he wasn’t convinced Lilly would ever wear it. And he couldn’t give her the Langford family ring Henry had given her. Their marriage deserved something new, something that symbolized their new and blossoming love. A future full of happiness, contentment, and hopefully babies—many babies. Lilly would make a wonderful mother. Love, caring, and devotion were ingrained into her, as were patience and understanding.
“Lady Langford is here,” the butler announced. “She is waiting in the drawing room, my lord.”
Straightening his cravat, Edmund made his way with feet that barely touched the ground. While pausing in the doorway of the drawing room, a smile tugged on his lips, and his heart accelerated when he took in the vision before him. Standing at the chessboard, with her fingers caressing the pieces and a faraway look on her face, was the woman of his dreams. She was dressed in a deep green that made him think of her lovely eyes and the ring securely tucked inside his jacket pocket.
“Thank you for coming, Lilly.”
Without taking her hand off the chess piece, she looked his way, smiled shyly, and everything in his world righted. This widow of his uncle, who had tossed his world upside down the moment he met her, was also responsible for making it right again.
“It seems strange to be here again. I only spent time here twice, but it is a handsome home and one I’ve missed. It has a masculine air about it, and since we never spent a great amount of time here, I never made changes.”
“I’m sorry if it makes you uncomfortable being here.” Bloody hell, he hadn’t thought about causing her any pain or sorrow.
“No. Not at all.” As she moved around the room, she touched several decorative pieces. “It feels good to be here. Soothing and comfortable.”
They were interrupted when a servant entered to announce dinner was ready.
Edmund held out his arm. Gracefully, Lilly placed her gloved hand on his forearm. That light touch had heat coursing through his entire body. He hoped she felt it as well. Instead of a footman seating Lilly, Edmund did the honors. He had asked that only two footmen be present, and they had been instructed to place the food on the sideboard as he wanted to serve Lilly himself. This dinner was for her. And hopefully, after dinner would be for them.
Making his way to the server, Edmund spooned fish stew from a tureen and placed a bowl at each of their places. He sat, unfolded his napkin on his lap and said, “I hope you enjoy tonight’s menu. Mrs. Howard slaved all day making your favorite foods when I told her you were coming for dinner.”
Sitting to his right, Lilly spooned the thick soup into her mouth and moaned. “Delicious. Just as I remember. I’m surprised she remembered my favorite foods.”
“You are quite unforgettable.” He poured wine into two stemmed glasses.
Pink tinted her cheeks as she continued eating. “Have you decided to make any changes to the townhome? Or Langford Manor?”
“Uncle Henry had impeccable taste. I find nothing needs to be done, although I am thinking of redecorating the main bedchambers at both places. Nothing major. Mostly furniture, wallcoverings, and accent colors. Do you have any suggestions?” Pushing back his chair, he removed both empty bowls from the table to the server and filled two plates with roasted potatoes, buttery green beans, and rare roasted venison with a dark gravy.
“Whatever color and style you choose will be perfect, I’m sure,” Lilly said. “This looks delicious.”
“It does.” Before he partook, he refilled both their wine glasses.
Once the main course was finished, the footman placed nuts, assorted fruits, and confections on the table before them and removed their plates. Edmund filled a dessert plate with an assortment for both of them to share. As the time to propose properly crept upon him, he topped off his glass of wine and ignored the sweat soaking the back of his shirt.
“Our cook... I mean, your cook makes the lightest buttery shortcrust of anyone.”
He wanted to say she’d had it right the first time but ignored the urge to utter the words. “It’s a lovely night. Would you care to stroll in the gardens?”
*
“Yes. That wouldbe nice,” she answered as Edmund pulled out her chair.
Instead of holding out his arm, he curled his large hand around hers. They stopped in the front hall to retrieve her wrap from the butler, then exited the front door, making their way around back to the private gardens. All the while, he kept her hand in his. They were skin-to-skin since they’d both removed their gloves for eating and left them on the dining room table. The heat from his warm hand heated her insides even though there was a slight chill to the air.
Lit lanterns scattered throughout the garden made for an intimate glow. “This was always my favorite place to be in town, whether night or day,” Lilly said as she breathed in the night air. “Jasmine. I have three favorite scents: roses, lavender, and jasmine. All of which grow in this garden.”
Walking hand in hand, they meandered through the granite stone path’s twists and turns until they reached a garden bench. To Lilly’s surprise, a tray with a champagne bottle and two flutes rested on a garden table. “What is this?” she asked with a smile and a flurry in her heart.
Edmund picked a jasmine blossom off a nearby plant and tucked it behind Lilly’s ear. “Be patient, my dear. All will be revealed in due time.” Picking up the champagne bottle, Edmund removed the cork to a loud pop, and liquid immediately fizzed over the side. He filled each flute half full. He handed her one while turning out a graceful bow. “For the lovely lady. Please have a seat.”
