“Yes. A rash that was obviously a reaction to your intended visit. I worried that it was catching, so I sent them away in order to spare your health.”
Marcus laughed. “Come now, Arabella. Can’t we agree to sheathe our swords for a time? I don’t want a battle with you.”
Her determined expression softened a measure. “I don’t want a battle with you either, my lord, but you refuse to understand that we won’t be married off by a dictatorial guardian.”
“I don’t intend to marry you off to anyone, I promise. In fact, I mean to marry you myself.”
He could tell by the hiss of her breath that he had shocked her almost as much as he had shocked himself. It was incredible, Marcus thought, that he would actually consider the astonishing step of abandoning his precious bachelorhood and marrying his eldest ward.
But his decision felt…right somehow.
Now, though, he had to make Arabella see the logic of his proposal and convince her that accepting was in her own best interests.
“You mean to m-marry me?” she repeated, clearly not trusting her hearing.
“Yes, marry you,” Marcus said genially, becoming more accustomed to the prospect the more he considered it. “I know I’ve taken you by surprise, my sweet, but I would like to tender you an honorable offer of marriage.”
&nbs
p; Chapter Three
The new earl is possibly mad as well as vexing!
– Arabella to Fanny
Her speechlessness lasted a dozen heartbeats. “Have you gone mad?” Arabella said finally, her tone wary.
Wry amusement flickered in his eyes. “I assure you I am quite sane,” his lordship replied. “I am simply paying my addresses to you.”
She started to laugh; she couldn’t help it. Here she was, still weak-kneed from the earl’s wicked assault on her senses, and now he was deliberately making her head spin with his astounding offer of marriage.
“You wound me, darling,” Lord Danvers drawled. “I admit my proposal is unexpected, but I assure you, it is no laughing matter.”
Her mirth fading, Arabella raised a hand to her temple. “I cannot believe you are the least bit serious. Lady Freemantle told me you were a confirmed bachelor.”
“I was-until two minutes ago. But kissing you had a startling effect on my judgment. It made me realize that I want you for my countess.”
She stared at him in bewilderment. “How can one kiss possibly lead you to that conclusion?”
The earl shrugged his powerful shoulders. “It wasn’t merely the kiss. There are several reasons you would make a good choice of brides for me. But chiefly…I must marry at some point, and you are the first woman who has ever interested me enough to make me contemplate taking the leap.”
“But you know almost nothing about me.”
“I know enough to think we might be well-matched. Certainly neither of us would ever be bored.”
Still stunned, Arabella regarded him for another long moment. “Did you not hear a word I told you in London about my aversion to matrimony?”
“I heard quite clearly. But I intend to persuade you to reconsider.”
His confidence took her aback. “You could never persuade me, my lord.”
“No?” A smile played across his lips. “You obviously do not know me very well, Arabella.”
Now he was beginning to exasperate her. “Indeed, I don’t-and I have no desire to further the acquaintance, either. Certainly not as your wife.”
“Perhaps you haven’t considered the advantages to you.”
“Advantages?” she echoed.