Page 71 of Saving a Scoundrel
Lucius easily jumped the fence, choosing the shortest path to reach his goal. The mud sucked at his shoes as he stalked across the ring, his focus on Ellie. It wasn’t until he heard a loud snort from his left that he had second thoughts about his decision. He turned his head just in time to see an enormous hog barreling toward him.
Chapter Forty-One
“Looks like wehave a contender.” The announcer’s voice rang out. Ellie turned to the ring. Lucius stalked across the muddy enclosure toward her. What was he doing in the ring? Then a massive hog came charging toward him. “Lucius! Watch out,” she screamed. But it was too late. Three hundred pounds of swine plowed into him, and he went tumbling head over heels into the mud.
Mr. Evans jumped the fence and raced to distract the angry pig. “Get out of here,” he yelled at Lucius.
Ellie gripped the top railing. “Lucius, get up!”
Lucius finally pushed to his feet. He looked disoriented, and she yelled to him again. “Lucius!” He turned at the sound of her voice and swiftly made his way to her. He gripped the top railing and attempted to jump over to safety. But his left leg didn’t quite make it, and he tumbled to the ground at her feet.
Ellie crouched down. “Are you all right?”
Lucius lay on his back with his eyes closed. “That depends,” he said. “Did I just get mauled by a pig?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t a bear or a large stag?”
Ellie bit back a chuckle. “No, just a very large, angry pig.”
“Then no, I am not all right. I believe my pride will never recover.” He opened his eyes. “Unless you would give me a kiss. I think that would make me feel better.”
Ellie looked down at his handsome face covered in mud; his eyes sparkled with good humor. Honestly, he was incorrigible. “I don’t think I care to Lucius Grisham. I am quite cross with you right now.” She rose to her feet and turned to her friend. “He’ll live. Olivia, let’s go back to my father’s tent. I’ve had enough of the pigs this afternoon.”
Lucius scrambled to his feet. Everyone around them clapped and catcalled. In between the streaks of mud, she could see a red flush spread across his cheeks. He deserved it.
“Ellie, wait,” Lucius said. “Can you be more specific about what I have done this time?”
She whirled around. “Two days! You said you were eager to tell me all about what you were doing here in Marbury two days ago.”
“There is a reason I haven’t come to see you.” He pushed his hair back from his face, the mud streaking the blond with brown. “I wanted to have all my plans together. I intended to talk to your father and win his permission.”
“Ah yes, how could I forget? You were making all the plans for our future. Without me.”
Lucius winced. “About that, I may have made a mistake there. If you’ll just let me explain.”
“No, I don’t think I will.” She turned on her heel and strode away, fuming. Ridiculous man. Professing his love for her but then leaving her high and dry whilehefigured outtheirfuture. Leaving her to deal with her father and Mr. Evans by herself. Humpf, maybe she should marry Mr. Evans. Life would certainly be less frustrating. She and Olivia walked briskly all the way down the lane and back to the main square, where they saw Charlotte and her family wandering through the food booths.
She waved. “Hello, are you having fun?”
Charlotte gasped, her eyes on something behind Ellie. Ellie swiveled around. Lucius strode across the grass toward them.
Charlotte exclaimed, “Lucius, what happened to you?”
Ignoring his sister’s question, he came to a stop right in front of Ellie. “I’ve been trying to write you a love letter,” he blurted out.
“What?”
Olivia leaned over. “He said love letter.”
“Yes, I heard that. Why are you writing me a love letter?”
Lucius sighed. “I hoped to show you that you are the kind of girl that inspires poetry, that you are the kind of girl that inspires grand gestures.” He looked around and then took two long strides to a long wooden table where people sat eating. Then, using the bench, he jumped on top. “I wanted everything to be perfect before I asked you to be my wife.” He spread his arms wide. “But clearly, I am far from perfect. I don’t have the skill to espouse flowing poetry like the mysteriousJ. But I do have a heart that belongs only to you.
“I have a head for numbers, a strong back, and two hands that I will work to the bone to provide you the kind of life you deserve. Ellie, the way you see me is the man I want to become. Your love, so freely given, is a precious gift. If you allow me to spend the rest of my life loving you, I think I could accomplish anything.” He held out a hand to her.
Without hesitation, Ellie walked over and slid her hand in his. Lucius guided her up to the tabletop and pulled her into his arms. Her heart burst with happiness. This mud-covered, foolish, wonderful man was far more dear than the idealized version of him she had believed him to be for so long. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don’t want perfect. I just want you.”
