Enticing the Earl

“Being the most understanding woman I have ever met.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And for trying to help me out of my financial difficulties. Most women of the ton would have run away from that as soon as they learned of it. Except, of course, the untitled wealthy women who just want to be a countess.”

Mia stared at the ground for a minute. “At least they could solve your monetary woes. Maybe it would be better—”

He cut off the rest of her sentence with a hard kiss. “Never even think it. You are the woman I want to marry. I could go to London tomorrow and be engaged by the end of the week. But I don’t want one of those women who will demand that we spend months in town and around all those people. I want you.”

Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She had no doubt that she loved him and wanted to be the woman he came to love. “You don’t have to worry about me demanding time in London. I have only been there twice with my father and don’t hold it in the highest of regard.”

“Why not?”

“It’s so crowded and noisy there. Out here, all we hear is the birds and insects. You can’t even hear them in London over the carriages and the people.”

“I have to agree with you on that point. However, there are some beautiful noises in London you can’t hear in Hartsfield.”

Mia tilted her head. “Such as?”

“The opera,” he said wistfully. “While I might not be able to play an instrument, it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate music.”

“I have never been to an opera.”

He smiled down at her. “I shall take you next year.”

“Indeed? The crowds won’t bother you?”

He furrowed his brown. “I can face them for you.”

Mia smiled as her heart swelled. She didn’t think she could be any happier than she was at this moment.

Chapter 18

The next few days flew in a whirl of dress fittings and preparations for the wedding. By Tuesday, Mia was exhausted and ready for the wedding to be done. They had returned to Mrs. Perkins’s garden only once since their last futile dig. Mia had decided there must be nothing left there. The few pieces she’d found had probably been all there was at the site.

Tomorrow at nine, she would become the Countess of Hartsfield. She walked to the window in her bedchamber and stared out at the twilight sky. Pinks and purple streaks against the darkening sky greeted her. A lone rider headed back toward the stables. In this light, she couldn’t be sure who it might be, but it seemed odd to her. She watched the rider dismount and then toss his reins to the stable boy. As the man strolled toward the house, she realized it was only Charlie out for an evening ride. He stopped at the fountain, brushed dirt off his knees, and then ran his hand through the water. He cupped some water in his hands and splashed his face a few times. She wondered if he’d taken a fall to get so dirty.

With a shrug, she turned away from the window and stared at the ivory silk gown she would get married in tomorrow. It was more beautiful than anything she could have imagined wearing. There were pearls along the neckline of the dress and lace at the cuffs.

A knock scraped the door. “Come in.”

Simon peered into the room with a grin. “May I come in for just a moment?”

“Of course.”

He walked in with a small box in his hands. “I have something for you to wear tomorrow. I heard a rumor you were wearing ivory and thought my grandmother’s pearls would be a nice touch.”

She gasped as the box revealed the most lustrous set of pearls she had ever seen. “Where did you get them?”

“My grandfather bought them as a wedding present for my grandmother.”

“They are beautiful.” She reached out tentatively and touched the smooth jewels. “These are worth a fortune.”

“I am not selling my grandmother’s pearls,” he replied.

“Of course not,” she said with a shake of her head. “But they are too valuable for me to wear.”

“Enough of that talk. You are a countes

s.”

She looked up at him through her lashes. “I might never get used to that.”