Leonora Compton and Connor Talbot, The Earl of Redfirn
(Five Golden Rings) were affianced at
Christmas. They are now looking forward to a March wedding with great
anticipation, but in the meantime, there’s a Valentine’s Day for them to
celebrate.
It was impossible for Connor to relax as he strode through
the foyer of the theatre, dressed in his evening black.
Christ, what a day!
To think it could be so difficult to pull off a
surprise was unfathomable. Who would have thought that getting Leonora to the
right place at the right time would be such a task? He’d lost track of how many
times he’d had to alter his plans because of some infernal obstacle.
It was now eight o’clock in the evening, no less than
ten hours since he’d first arrived upon Leonora’s doorstep, intent on taking
her out for a morning ride, only to discover that she wasn’t at home. From what
he’d understood, some emergency situation pertaining to Lady Rowena (the latest
unmarried lady under Leonora’s protection) and Lord Vanick (the current
candidate for Lady Rowena’s hand) had arisen. Muttering an oath as he climbed
the stairs to the first floor of the theatre, Connor pictured Leonora hurrying
off to save whatever disaster had befallen Lady Rowena without a single thought
for herself – or him. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. If there was a
match to be made, then God help the unfortunate fellow who happened to get in Leonora’s
way. It was one of the things he loved about her – her investment in other
people’s future happiness.
