Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,90

seem taken aback. “It is that Wilde fellow, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She gave a pained grimace. “I am exceedingly sorry, more than I can say. I tried earnestly not to love him, but it was futile. I regret most encouraging your false hopes by accepting your generous offer of marriage. In truth, your grace … I came here tonight to beg you to release me from our betrothal.”

Dunmore averted his gaze, not replying.

“It would not be fair to you,” Sophie continued earnestly, “if we were to marry when my heart belongs to another man. I gave you my word, however, and of course I will honor it if you wish. I will wed you, and I will promise always to be faithful. But I truly hope you won’t insist.”

The duke pressed his lips together stoically. “I will not insist, Miss Fortin.”

Feeling awkward and sad, Sophie hastened to add, “I feel a sincere affection for you, your grace. And I believe you feel the same for me. But you well know that affection is not love. And in my heart, I know neither of us would be satisfied without it.”

He heaved a sigh. “I knew it was too good to be true when you accepted my offer. Even then I knew your heart was engaged elsewhere.”

“You did?” she asked in surprise.

“Regretfully, yes. There was something in your eyes when you looked at your handsome young lord. I recognized that look, Miss Fortin. I felt it myself for my wife.”

Sophie bit her lip. “I should never have led you on by agreeing to wed you, your grace. But I swear to you, I did not realize the strength of my feelings then—”

“It is quite all right, my dear. One cannot choose whom one loves.” Dunmore took her hand again and patted it rather avuncularly. “Do not distress yourself. I do understand. And you may consider yourself released from our betrothal.”

“Thank you, your grace,” Sophie murmured with restrained joy, wanting to express her heartfelt gratitude without unduly insulting him.

The duke rose when she did, but Sophie paused before taking her leave. “I have friends who are highly talented at matchmaking. I have no doubt they can help to find you a suitable bride who will cherish you as you deserve.”

Dunmore’s smile was gentle and a little wistful. “I might welcome their assistance, since clearly I have not fared well on my own.”

He escorted her to the large entry hall, where a footman hastened to open the door for her and light her way down the front steps through a misty darkness to her aunt’s carriage.

Sophie waited, however, until she was settled inside before exhaling in profound relief. When she left the duke’s mansion behind, a stark feeling of liberation swept over her, as if an immense burden had been lifted from her heart. She wanted to be free to love Jack and this was the first step.

She could never have been the kind of wife the duke deserved, and he could never have been the husband she yearned for. She wanted love and passion and lightning bolts in her marriage—the sweet fire only Jack could give her. Tonight she had overcome a major obstacle and garnered the chance to live her own dreams—although there were even greater obstacles still standing in her way.

It was possible, even probable, that she would have to make an onerous choice and decide whom she loved more, her parents or Jack, and how she would be able to honor the nuptial vows to forsake all others. Could she actually forsake her parents?

She also had Jack himself to contend with. If he hadn’t truly meant his admission of love for her, his heart might still be closed to her, but she had to take the risk. She needed his love to feel complete, and it was time that she told him so.

The fog had thickened by the time she reached Jack’s home in Montagu Place—an ill omen that made Sophie shiver as she mounted the front steps. Upon being admitted, she found him in his study, sprawled in an armchair, staring broodingly into a low-burning hearth fire, a snifter of brandy held loosely in his hand.

He glanced up when she entered, but his reception of her was far different from the duke’s. Jack set down his glass and rose slowly to his feet, not looking at all pleased to see her.

Her greeting to him was different as well. Sophie crossed directly to Jack, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck,