Cocky Earl - Annabelle Anders Page 0,105
care that dozens of Lady Westerley’s guests were looking on. In fact, she was quite beyond caring what anyone else said or thought tonight.
Except for Jules himself, and judging by the look in his eyes as he gazed down at her with affection and pride, she needn’t worry there.
Because having watched the game just now, he would have realized that her father had cheated when he’d wagered for Jules to court her.
And in lieu of that, she swore to herself that whomever Jules decided to marry, if he decided to marry, it would be his decision and nobody else’s.
He’d said he wanted to marry her, but she needed to be absolutely certain that he wasn’t doing it because he’d been compelled to by a lost game of cards.
It was what she needed.
What they needed.
“You, Charley Jackson, most recently traveled from America and notably of the Pennsylvania Whiskey company, are the perfect woman for me: a lady who not only appreciates good scotch but excels at cards.” He leaned in. “Among other things.”
His voice was barely a whisper but his words, along with his breath caressing the skin by her ear, turned her knees to jelly and sent her heart racing.
It wasn’t until that moment that she realized how weak she was feeling all over. If he hadn’t been clutching her tightly to him, she likely would have collapsed back into the chair.
“You’re free.” She wanted him to know. She’d done it for him. She’d done it out of love. But she hadn’t done it so that he would escape one trap only to be caught in another.
He tilted his head to the side, a hint of confusion in his eyes while bracing her against a few enthusiastic congratulations as people who’d been watching patted her on the shoulder.
Tabetha was squealing and bouncing just behind Jules and—were those tears of joy in Bethany’s eyes? Perhaps also a few tears of regret? Felicity showed no such joy as she stood beside her father despite the few handsome gentlemen who surrounded her in support, including Lord Chaswick and Mantis and even Mr. Spencer. All in all, the room had collapsed into a chaotic and frenzied uproar. Charley wondered how many, if any, of the countess’s guests remained in the ballroom.
“Well done, Miss Jackson.” Even Lord Greystone seemed pleased with the outcome. “In the future, if I find myself in need of rescuing, I know precisely whom to turn to.”
“You’re going to have to find your own little heroine.” Julian tightened his hold on her. “This one is mine.”
“What is going on in here?” The countess’s voice rose above the melee from the doorway across the room. She caught sight of Charley, wrapped in her son’s arms, and the woman’s jaw tightened visibly as she pushed her way through the throngs of spectators. “Westerley? Miss Jackson? What is the meaning of this?”
But it was Lord Brightly who answered. He’d risen from the table by now and approached the countess, followed by Felicity, accompanied by Lord Manningham-Tissenton. “I’m releasing your son from the contract.” He glanced sideways at his daughter apologetically, “With neither of the two parties interested in such a union, I will not enforce it.”
“But—?” Lady Westerley’s brows furrowed and her confidence flagged. “They will come to accept it in time, surely?” Very little conviction sounded in her statement when, at the same time, her stare shifted back to Charley and Julian.
“It’s time we return to the ballroom for the supper dance, don’t you think, Mother?” Bethany was at her mother’s side but frowned across the room at where Lord Chaswick sat with Miss Somerset.
The countess didn’t budge. “But Miss Jackson…”
“Has promised me the supper dance and I fully intend that she keep her promise.” Jules’ voice left no room for argument. He turned to pin his gaze on Charley with a certainty that could not be mistaken. “And although I would have wished to have her father present, tonight I will make an official announcement introducing Miss Charlotte Jackson to all of our guests as my betrothed.”
A cheer, followed by loud applause, made it perfectly clear that by the time he got around to doing just that, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Forgetting his mother’s disapproval for the moment, Charley did nothing to stop him from pressing his lips firmly against hers. How had she lived so long without knowing she needed this?
Even so, when he turned his head to deepen their kiss, she pushed gently against his chest. “Your