Let It Be Love by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

you. Why, then, have you reached the advanced age you have without being wed?”
    “Advanced age?” She raised a brow. “I would scarce call five-and-twenty advanced.”
    He shrugged. “Many people would.”
    Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “Would you?”
    “I would expect the kind of woman I want to be”—he thought for a moment—“independentenough to have resisted the urge to marry simply for the sake of marriage.”
    “Good.” She paused. “I have, however, had offers of marriage, you know.”
    “I would expect nothing less.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “This is most awkward.”
    “Awkward? Not at all.”
    “Well, I certainly find it so.” She held out her glass and he obediently refilled it. She did indeed seem discomforted, but then Jonathon had no doubt she was skilled at deception. He would expect no less of Oliver. “I never imagined, at the moment I did at last pursue marriage, I would be the one issuing the proposal.” She tossed back her champagne. “So, then, we should end this, don’t you think?”
    “End this?”
    “End this discussion.” She waved impatiently. “By the way, that is most annoying.”
    “What is?”
    “The way you answer everything with a question.”
    He chuckled. “I should hate to annoy you. It would make me less than perfect for you.”
    She stared in surprise. “My dear Jonathon. I never said you were perfect for me. Why, I really know nothing about you, save for your family position, your title, your prospects—which admittedly do make you a relatively perfect match for any woman—and Oliver’s assurances that you are a nice man.”
    His brow raised. “A nice man?”
    “A very nice man,” she amended.
    It was obviously time to be something less than nice and past time to take control of this scheme. His friends expected him to run from this allegedly perfect creature. It would certainly turn the tables on Oliver and the others if instead he accepted her proposal with—he grinned to himself—open arms. Indeed, once the truth was revealed and this plot of theirs laid to rest and they were all appropriately chastised, why, he would not be at all averse to getting to know the lovely actress better. And with something far less permanent than marriage in mind.
    Regardless of what wagers may have been laid, Jonathon had no doubt he would be the ultimate winner.
    “Very well, then, Fiona.” He took another swallow of his champagne and set the glass aside. “I accept.”
    She stared. “You accept?”
    “I do indeed.” He stepped toward her and was most gratified when she stepped back.
    “Just like that?”
    Oh, this was good. The slight glimmer of panic in her eyes, the faint tremor in her voice. Very effective and almost believable.
    “You are obviously the type of woman I have always wanted.” He shrugged. “Therefore I see no reason to postpone the inevitable.”
    “The inevitable?” she said slowly.
    “Now who is answering with a question?”
    “I simply didn’t expect this to be so…so easy.”
    “What did you expect?” He moved closer and again she stepped back. This was fun, although he would have thought she would be a bit bolder. Still, a charming virginal hesitance was called for if her story was to be believed. Oliver had taught her well.
    “I’m not sure, really.” She wrung her hands together and feigned dismay creased her lovely forehead.
    “You’re not changing your mind are you?”
    “Oh, no, of course not.” She sighed. “In truth, if you are indeed willing to marry me, I have no choice.”
    “But you find me entirely too easy?”
    “Yes, I do. I never imagined you would agree to marry so quickly. I thought you would need much more convincing and some time to consider my proposal. Certainly I have little time to spare, but I have grown accustomed to the idea of marrying someone I don’t know, whereas this is new to you.”
    “I don’t believe in wasting time when an opportunity presents itself.” He flashed her a