The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,88

difficult silence fell between them. It seemed there was so much to say yet putting his thoughts in order and finding the right words had become an impossible task. With lead pouring through his veins, Simon averted his gaze and stared out the window.

Guthrie’s words came back in a rush. She’ll never be yours unless you put a ring on her finger.

Simon’s heart kicked up a notch. He glanced at Ida and instantly had to quash the temptation to reach out and tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, to brush his lips across her cheek and beg her forgiveness. She was the only woman in the world he would ever want. He needed her. No one else could compare.

Knitting his brow, he swung his head back toward the blurry view. All his life, he’d bowed to convention and aimed for perfection. It was what he’d been raised to do – to march along to a certain beat and not let anyone down. Yet here he was now, letting them both down, and for what? So he could please an uncle he didn’t give a fig about? Impress his peers with a bride he didn’t desire?

Christ, he’d been unbelievably stupid. And he’d hurt her terribly, that much was clear. All because he’d been stubbornly blind and unwilling to thwart expectation.

But Yates was prepared to do it for his Miss Harlowe. Hell, even Gabriella had been brave enough to do it for Huntley. And they weren’t the only examples that came to mind. There was Coventry too, and Guthrie’s wife, Regina. So then, why not him? Why shouldn’t he choose love over all else? He was the Earl of Fielding, for God’s sake. The only real obstacle in his path was the fear he’d always had of coming up short in the eyes of others. Except, he realized as clarity hit him, the opinion of others meant nothing compared to losing Ida.

His pulse leapt with increased speed as they tumbled along the dry country road.

He was an idiot. The biggest bloodiest idiot ever to walk the earth.

But he was an idiot who loved her, and by God he was going to make this right. The steady beat of hooves and the soft squeak of carriage springs filled his ears as his muddled thoughts fell into perfect order. Air filled his lungs on an intake of breath born from deep realization. He was going to make her his in front of God and the rest of the world. He’d marry her at St. James’s in the biggest ceremony Mayfair had ever seen.

Lord help him. It was so simple.

Turning toward her, he opened his mouth, prepared to make an offer right then, only to pause. This had to be done right. After telling her all she could be was his mistress, he’d have to make sure she knew he was choosing her for the right reason and that he’d be proud to call her his wife. Rushing forward unprepared would be a mistake. It would only give her cause to doubt him more. What he needed was a strategy – a plan of some sort.

Accepting defeat for now, Simon settled back against the squabs with renewed hope and began contemplating the best path forward. He had to prove himself to her. That much was clear. Somehow, he would have to convince her of his devotion.

Chapter Seventeen

“Thank you for agreeing to see us,” Simon told Mr. St. John when he and Ida met him at The Red Rose the following day.

Ida considered the man sitting adjacent to her at one of the round corner tables in the dining room. His gaze slid over her and she instinctively leaned a bit closer to Simon. Even though the air between them had been tense and awkward since the previous day’s outing, she appreciated his nearness and the sense of security he offered.

“My pleasure,” Mr. St. John said. He gave them each a pleasant smile.

Ida’s skin pricked. She’d never liked false sincerity and Mr. St. John practically dripped with it. She thanked the waiter who handed her a menu and gave her attention to the various dishes The Red Rose had to offer while Simon and Mr. St. John engaged in small talk.

Maybe she was just being difficult. She had been in a bit of a mood for the last two days. She sighed. Maybe it was foolish of her to turn down Simon’s offer. He was, after all, willing to give her the