Chapter 17
Easton strode down the hallway to Fletcher’s study.
His heart was pounding as he thought about how to ask the baron’s permission to court and hopefully marry Miss Parker.
She looked lovely today, as she did every time he saw her, and he wanted to see her lovely smile every day for the rest of his life.
When he came to the study, he stopped to collect his thoughts before he knocked and waited.
“Come.”
Easton walked in and stood before Fletcher’s desk. “Good day, Fletcher. I’d like a moment of your time, if I may.”
Fletcher put down the document he was reading. “Of course. Is something amiss?”
“No, not at all.”
“How may I help you?”
Easton’s insides roiled with trepidation. He began to pace before Fletcher’s desk.
“Come now, Easton. It can’t be that bad.”
He stopped pacing and faced Fletcher. “You know I hold your family in the highest regard.”
“Yes. I’m well aware of that.”
“Well, the point is—umm, I mean…”
“Bloody hell, Easton, spit it out.”
“Right, right. I would like your permission to either court or marry Miss Parker.”
Fletcher’s eyes widened. “That’s an odd request. Care to elaborate? Why must it be one or the other?”
“My actions all depend on Miss Parker. I know she’s said she’s in no hurry to marry,” Easton said.
“That’s correct. I’ve heard her say the same in the past.”
“That is why I phrased my request as an either/or option. If Miss Parker is still against marriage, I want to court and woo her, showing her that marriage can be both fun and wonderful with the right person.”
“I see.”
“If she is agreeable to my suit, I would then ask for her hand.”
“Do you love her?”
Easton nodded. “For quite some time now. I’ve tried not to pressure her in any way, but I cannot hide my feelings any longer.”
“Well, as you said, the decision will be up to my sister-in-law. I will not force her to marry anyone if she doesn’t wish it. You understand that.”
“I do.”
“Then I wish you the best of luck.”
Easton nodded and held out his hand. “Thank you, Fletcher.”
Fletcher took it in a firm handshake. “Don’t thank me yet.”
“I promise that I will treat Miss Parker with the utmost courtesy.”
“I would expect nothing less. Good day, Easton.”
“Good day.” Easton turned on his heel and left the study. He was walking down the hallway when Miss Parker came out of the drawing room.
“Lord Easton, have you finished your business?”
“I have. Miss Parker…”
“Yes?”
“Would you care to promenade in the park? It’s quite pleasant today, and it seems a waste not to enjoy being outside.”
He watched as her eyes sparkled with delight. “I would like that very much. I must alert Beatrice, my maid. Would you excuse me for a moment?”
“Of course.”
He watched Miss Parker rush up the stairs until he heard a voice behind him.
“Lord Easton, do you require something?”
He turned around. “Lady Fletcher, I feel I should inform you that Fletcher has given me permission to court Miss Parker.”
“Oh, how delightful.”
“I’ve asked her to promenade with me today. I was going to ask if you’d care to join us?”
She shook her head. “Not today. I think it would be good for you two to chat privately.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Before he could ask her to elaborate, Miss Parker and her maid came down the stairs. “Lord Easton is taking me to Hyde Park,” she said to her sister.
“Yes, dearest. He told me. Have a lovely walk.”
Easton held out his arm, and Miss Parker slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.”
They walked along the sidewalk with Beatrice following a few steps behind.
It was still a bit early for most of the ton to be promenading, which suited Easton.
He didn’t want to be interrupted every few minutes by acquaintances who wished to talk about this or that.
He was on a mission today, and he wanted no distractions along the way.
They walked through the gate.
“May we see if the swans are here today?” Miss Parker asked.
“Of course.”
“Thank you. They’re usually over there,” she said, pointing to the far bank. Beatrice stayed back by the bench while they walked to the river’s edge.
When they first arrived at the bank, there was no sign of the swans, and Easton heard Miss Parker sigh. “I’m sorry they’re not here today. I do know how much you love seeing them.”
“They’re so majestic.”
“They are indeed.”
There were a myriad of ducks with their ducklings to watch, and Easton loved seeing the joy on Miss Parker’s face. It seemed fate was on his side, as a pair of swans landed on the Serpentine and glided toward them.
“They came!” Miss Parker squealed in delight.
“They did. Did you know that swans mate for life?”
“I did not.”
“Yes. Once they find their mate, they’re inseparable.”
Miss Parker giggled. “Do you think they have a marriage ceremony? You know, with the other swans watching.”
Easton couldn’t help but laugh. She was the most delightful woman he’d ever met. “That I do not know, but I’m sure once they find the one, they will protect their mate with all their might.”
Miss Parker turned to him. “Lord Easton, are we still talking about the swans?”
Easton picked up her hand. This was it. The moment of truth. His life going forward would either be glorious or miserable, depending on her answer. “My dear Miss Parker, I know you’ve said in the past that you don’t wish to marry, but—”
“My lord, sometimes people change their minds.”
Easton hadn’t expected that, and a small flame of hope burned in his chest. “Are you saying you have changed your mind?”
She nodded. “I have, although I never would have believed it was possible when I first came to London.”
“I see.”
“Lord Easton, is that all you have to say?”
He shook his head. “No. What I mean is…umm…What I want to say is…”
Miss Parker squeezed his hand. “My feelings have also changed, my lord, and I do hope it’s a good thing and not in vain.”
That flame in Easton’s chest burned brighter. “It is indeed a good thing. My darling, you must know how much I admire you.”
“Admire me?”
“Well, that’s not the right word at all.”
“Lord Easton, may we please speak plainly? I shall go first, as you seem to be having trouble finding the right words. When I came to London, all I could think about was having fun. It didn’t matter what I did as long as it was enjoyable.
Weeks of fun and a few mishaps along the way have taught me one thing. ”
“Oh, and what is that?”
“That having fun is all well and good, but the real joy comes from having a partner to share it with. You have become very special to me, my lord.”
“Could I dare to hope? Are you saying you love me?”
The smile that broke across her face told Easton everything he needed to know.
“I am,” she said. “My feelings started to change slowly, until I couldn’t imagine my days without seeing you as a part of them. You are a wonderful man, and I love you dearly.”
Easton picked her up and twirled her around. “My darling, I’m so happy. I have loved you since you were sixteen years old.”
“You have?”
“I have,” he said, putting her back on her feet. “I promise I shall love you with every fiber of my being for the rest of our lives.”
“Please call me Mia.”
Easton got down on one knee. “My darling Mia, would you make me the happiest man in all of England and consent to be my wife?”
“Yes. We shall be like my beloved swans. Mated for life.”
“We will,” he said, standing and looking around to make sure no one was watching them. He leaned toward her, and Mia lifted her chin. He was finally going to kiss the woman he loved.
When she caressed his cheek, he kissed her, gently at first, then with all the pent-up passion he’d been bottling up for years.
When he finally stepped back, they were both breathless.
“Do forgive me, my love. I was carried away by the moment,” he said, glancing around once more.
No one was nearby but the maid, who was studiously pretending not to see anything, bless her.
” He was relieved—he hadn’t wanted to create a scandal, but he could no longer wait to taste Mia’s sweet lips.
“That was truly magnificent, my lord.”
“Please call me Alex.”
“Alex. I like the sound of that.”
“I apologize that I do not have a ring with me. I had no idea how this day was going to go. Shall we go back to Devon House and share our good news? There are a number of rings in the Devon jewelry collection for you to choose from.”
“I would love that, but might we first stop and tell my sister and brother-in-law?”
“Of course. Whatever you’d like.”
“I like the fact that I’m engaged to the man I love.”
With one last look at the swans, the happy couple made their way out of the park.