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“I have been meeting with the women of my past to apologize and make reparations. It has been unexpectedly uplifting to do so.” Sophia was uncertain what else to ask on this subject, so she moved on.
“Are there any children from these past encounters?”
Saunton grimaced. “So far, I have been fortunate. The precautions I took were effective.”
Sophia wondered what precautions one could take to prevent children, but she refrained from asking, not wanting to reveal her ignorance.
“And you are seeking to court me with a view to marry?”
Saunton’s eyes glowed in affirmation. “I am.”
“Are you sure … I mean, about me? You barely know me. How do I know you will not lose interest next week when you meet another woman?”
He frowned at this. “Never. I have only been interested in marrying one woman before you, and I have been seeking a wife for some years now. You are unlike anyone I have ever met, and now that I have started on this road, I have no intention of turning back. Once I make up my mind about something, I am steadfast in my resolve. And you … you fascinate me.”
Sophia’s cheeks warmed at his words, her heart quickening. To be the focus of such determined attention from a man of his stature and charm was both thrilling and humbling. She straightened her posture, meeting his steady gaze. “We do not have much time, my lord. So tell me—why should I accept your offer?”
Saunton leaned forward in his seat, his face earnest. “I will allow you your freedom. As my countess, you may do anything you want and I will support you, as long as you are at my side.”
“Anything? What if I do not wish to host balls?”
“Then we shall forgo balls. Is that what you want?”
“I am not fond of crowds, so I would prefer to hold dinner parties and small events. What if I wanted to write a book?”
“Then you shall write a book. Do you have one in mind?”
“I do not. What if I wanted to hold salons and invite intellectuals to our home?”
“Then I shall greet our guests and take part in your discussions. Whatever your heart desires. My only requests are that our marriage be a true partnership and that you provide me with an heir.”
“Why should I believe you?”
Saunton chuckled, leaning back in his seat, his gaze warm as it settled on her face. “I am famously unconventional, am I not?”
Sophia nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“I need an interesting woman to keep me grounded. And for the first time in my life, I want—truly desire—to find that balance. This requires trust, and I am taking the same leap of faith by trusting you. I trust you to be your genuine self, to speak your mind freely, and to help create a future that we can share—a future built together.”
Sophia regarded him thoughtfully, his sincerity shining through every word. Memories of her sleepless nights, grappling with uncertainty and fear, flickered through her mind. Yet, as she considered the possibility of taking a chance on the earl, a quiet realization emerged. She was not a conventional woman, and she would need a partner who could embrace her unorthodox nature.
And here sat the Earl of Saunton, candid and uniquely himself—unlike any man she had ever conversed with.
Today she stood at a crossroads—she could spend another night terrified in her room, or she could take a leap and hope that he was strong enough to catch her. There were no guarantees that their relationship would work, but it sounded so awfully appealing to try. To help the gentleman forge a fresh path. It sounded infinitely more appealing than evading the murderous Lord Leech over the coming weeks or months.
“How do we proceed?”
“I will return tomorrow, and we will take a ride through the park?”
“Hmm … it sounds wonderful, but my uncle will never agree to you courting me.”
“I see. I shall contrive a plan to persuade him, then.”
Sophia stood up, prompting the earl to rise. She could hear Uncle Hugh’s heavy footfalls in the hall. By now, one of the servants had informed him that a notorious rogue was in his drawing room, paying addresses to his niece. Stepping around the table, she stood directly in front of the earl.
“I already have a plan. Are you certain you wish to see this courtship through to the end? This is your last chance to walk away.”
Saunton’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Yes … I am certain.”
