At Last by Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Free Book Online Page B

hands the last
game.”
    Just then Edward glanced toward the door and
saw her. “Mum!” He jumped to his feet and hurried toward her.
Swallowing the sob that rose in her throat, she met him halfway and
enveloped him in a tight hug. Over his shoulder she saw Ian rise.
He regarded her through serious eyes that gave away nothing.
    Edward pulled back from their embrace. His
dark brown eyes, so like his father’s, reflected worry. “Where have
you been, Mum?”
    “ Eton. To see you.
You’ve...heard.”
    Color rushed into his cheeks and he
nodded.
    “ You left school hours
ago. Where have you been?”
    “ I went to see Lord
Marlington.”
    Sophia blinked. “Why?”
    Edward raised his chin. “I wanted to
confront the cad who damaged my mother’s good name. Tell him what I
thought of him. Show him as well.”
    He flexed his fingers,
drawing Sophia’s attention to his hand. She gasped at the sight of
his reddened knuckles. “Good heavens. You struck Lord Marlington?”
    “ Planted him a facer,”
Edward confirmed, looking inordinately pleased with
himself.
    “ Bloody well hurt,” Ian
said from across the room, rubbing his jaw.
    “ But according to Lord
Marlington I could have done better. He’s promised to give me some
pugilistic pointers.”
    Sophia’s gaze bounced between her son and
Ian. “I’m afraid I’m confused. You two have--“
    “ Spent the day together,”
Edward broke in. “After I planted him the facer, we talked. He told
me everything.”
    Sophia’s gaze flew to Ian.
“ Everything ?”
    “ Edward demanded to know
why I’d dishonored his mother,” Ian said. “I explained that was
never my intention. That I love you and want to marry you. And that
you said you love me as well.”
    Edward touched her arm, recalling her
attention. “If you love him, why don’t you want to marry him, Mum?”
he asked softly so only she could hear.
    “ I...it’s complicated,
Edward.”
    “ Is it because of me?
Because if so, I must tell you, I like him. And I can tell he
really loves you.”
    “ Adores you, actually,”
Ian called from across the room. “Sorry--I’m not deaf. And just so
you know, I like you as well, Edward, even though you trounced me
at backgammon.”
    Edward grinned at Ian over his shoulder then
turned back to Sophia. “Father always said you can tell a great
deal about a man by the way he handles himself playing backgammon.
Everything I learned about Lord Marlinton today showed me he’s a
fine man.” Edward squeezed her hand, then leaned forward to
whisper, “I want you happy, Mum. And if Lord Marlington makes you
happy, you have my blessing.” He gently kissed her cheek then said
in his normal voice, “If you’ll both excuse me...” After offering
Ian a formal bow, Edward quit the room, closing the door behind
him.
    In an effort to align her careening
thoughts, Sophia closed her eyes, pressed her palms to her
trembling midsection and drew several deep breaths.
    “ He’s an exceptional young
man, Sophia.”
    She opened her eyes and found Ian standing
before her. The profound love, raw desire, and deep admiration
glowing in his eyes stole her breath. “Th...thank you. You two
clearly shared quite a day together.”
    “ Aye. It didn’t begin
particularly well--” he touched the faint bruise marring his jaw,
“but after we talked, things rapidly improved. Just before you
arrived he told me I have his blessing to marry you. In the hopes
that that will change your mind...” He reached into his waistcoat
pocket and withdrew the magnificent pearl ring he’d presented to
her last night. Then, as he had the previous evening, he lowered
himself to one knee before her. “Sophia, I’ve loved you since the
first moment I saw you, and I promise I’ll love you until the day I
die. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
    Sophia looked into his beautiful eyes and
her throat swelled shut at the wave of love swamping her. She’d
refused him to avoid scandal, yet the scandal had