The Lady and the Earl Read Online Free PDF Page A

was mistaken ?  Allana was s o quick to step in.  He truly didn’t have a chance to gauge Carmon’s reaction to him.  He tried to remember that day.  He tried to remember her reaction when he was a nnounced as her visitor.  She’d seemed stunned, even speechless.  That is when Allana stepped in.  And instead of leaving as he should have and come back another time , he’d lingered .  N ow he found himself tied to Allana instead of the one he truly wanted . 
    He needed to propose.  It was the proper thing to do.  But a ll he could think on was that smile Carmon had graced him with earlier.  What did it mean?
    The orchestra stopped.  His heart sank.  It was time to find Allana. 
    *            *          *
    Allana scanned the dance floor for Lucas.  She needed to find him.  Surely he would wish to dance with her at least once.  She wanted to dance with him.  She wanted to be with him.  But what did he want?  He’ d danced with Carmon three times!  Was he smitten with her friend?  C ould Allana find a way to win his heart and send Carmon back to Edmund ?    
    Allana’s mind jumped around frantically as she searched for Lucas.  T he orchestra stopped , and she frowned in disappointment.  Now she would have to wait for her dance with him .  Perhaps she could find him and walk with him during the break.  She would have to find a way to get him to ask her though.  She couldn’t be that forward.
    “Allana, would you walk with me?  There is something I would like to discuss with you.”  It was Edmund. 
    No!   She thought to herself irritably.  She wanted to walk with Lucas, not Edmund.  “I would be delighted to,” she replied sweetly, not conveying her irritation.
    They walked in silence as he guided her to a secluded area of the house.  He sat her down on a small bench, sitting next to her , holding her hand in his. 
    “Allana, I think you know I have … ,” he paused as though searching for the right words, “ feelings for you . ”
    Oh no!   S he panicked .  Please no .  It is too soon!
    “And I think you have …feelings for me in return .”  He hesitated, running a hand through his hair.  Then he groaned and stood, pacing back and forth. 
    “Edmund?   Are you ill?” Allana asked innocently.  Please be ill.  You are meant for Carmon, not me .  She needed more time.  
    He shook his head.  “No, no.  I…,” he paused, starin g at her strangely.  “I think I’ m in love with Carmon,” he blundered.  He looked utterly dazed by what he ’ d just admitted.
    Allana openly gaped at him.  “What ? ”
    Edmund looked horrified.  “I…I… . ”
    “You love her?   Wait!   You love her!  This is wonderful news !” Allana exclaimed .  She jumped up and hugged him tightly.  She pulled away and sighed in relief.  “Oh, Edmund.   I thought you were going to propose, and I knew I couldn’t say yes,” Allana confessed. 
    “You seem relieved,” Ed mund stated in confusion.  “You ’ re not angry?”
    Allana laughed.  “Of course not.   I’v e been trying to find a way to force the two of you together since I ruined your original attempt .”
    “Ruined?  No, Carmon shunned me.  She has no interest in me,” he stated.
    “Yes, ruined.  And th e other is quite false.  She has no interest in anyone but you.  She simply doesn’t know how to show it.  She is very shy, Edmund.”
    “She can barely look at me without turning away.  How is that being shy?” h e argued. 
    “She is overly so when you are around.  She cannot look at you for fear you will see how much she fancies you.  She cannot speak for fear you will find her foolish and wish nothing more to do with her.  Simply put, she struggles profusely when in your presence and cannot be herself, ” Allana explained. 
    “She did not seem to struggle with Lucas Hoffman to night,” Edmund said dark ly.
    “She doesn’t care for Lucas as she does you ,” Allana