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Back The Marriage List
Chapters (45)
  1. FIRST WALTZ
  2. Also by
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Dedication
  6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  7. CHAPTER ONE
  8. CHAPTER TWO
  9. CHAPTER THREE
  10. CHAPTER FOUR
  11. CHAPTER FIVE
  12. CHAPTER SIX
  13. CHAPTER SEVEN
  14. CHAPTER EIGHT
  15. CHAPTER NINE
  16. CHAPTER TEN
  17. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  18. CHAPTER TWELVE
  19. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  20. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  21. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  22. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  23. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  24. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  25. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  35. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
  44. EPILOGUE
  45. AUTHOR’S NOTES

John rose and went to his study. Mama had sent down the invitations she had accepted on their behalf, and they were on his desk next to his diary. Once he entered the events, he would be able to see which date was the best. He glanced at the door leading to the secretary’s office. Unfortunately, his father’s secretary had retired, and John had not hired a replacement. Something else he had to do. Could Eleanor help him with that as well? Exeter had told John how he had become close to his wife when she assisted him. John could do the same thing with Eleanor. That would definitely give them more time together. The erection that had gone away was back. He really had to think of something other than her and the more physical aspects of having her as his wife. First, he had to marry her.

John quickly made the entries and studied his diary. There were two nights next week for which he had nothing planned. He tugged the bell-pull and a footman opened the door and bowed. “My lord?”

“Is my mother at home?”

“She returned about a half hour ago. A tea tray was taken to her parlor.”

“Thank you. That’s all.”

The servant stepped back as John rose and made his way to his mother’s sanctuary. He tapped on the door and opened it. “Mama?”

She glanced up from reading something. “Yes, dear?”

“I would like you to arrange an evening at Vauxhall and invite Lady Eleanor and anyone else you think proper.”

She removed the specs she used for reading. “Vauxhall?”

“Yes. Next week, if that is not too soon.” He stood waiting for her to nod or give him some indication she would honor his request.

“I must look to see what they have going on.” She returned her lunettes to her nose.

That, apparently, was the best he could expect. “Thank you.”

He left the room and went back downstairs. The only person about was a footman. “I will be on my terrace, but I do not wish to be disturbed.”

“I will tell Mr. Lumner.”

“Thank you.”

John reached the terrace and settled once more into the large chair. Now he could think about Eleanor all he wished and make a plan to convince her to marry him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

They had a small family group attending Lady Brownly’s musical evening. Eleanor and her sisters were accompanied only by Grace and Matt. Once they arrived, Eleanor found herself searching the large room for Montagu and immediately stopped. She would not wear her heart on her sleeve.

Heart on my sleeve?