He rode his horse hard and fast, and soon he neared Bristol. The first person he asked when enquiring about the Baldwin’s residence gave him directions. The manor wasn’t as large as he’d seen before, and the place looked quite run down. It appeared that Lord Baldwin was having money problems. Tristan grinned. He would help his soon-to-be father-in-law out to help him repair this place.
Before Tristan rode too close to the front of the house, he dismounted, and walked slowly, eyeing the surroundings as he pulled his horse behind by the reins. From the back of the house, a woman strolled toward the rundown stable. Immediately, Tristan could tell it was Diana. Today she wore a copper colored dress trimmed with black lace, and on her hands were black gloves. Her bonnet was copper, but thankfully didn’t hide her pretty auburn ringlets.
His heart beat faster and he quickened his stride to reach her. As he came to the front of the stable, he noticed her standing just inside, stroking her hand down the mare’s nose. Her back was toward him, and her shoulders drooped.
“Oh, Chestnut,” she said softly. “What am I going to do?” Her voice broke and she leaned her face against the mare’s neck.
Tristan’s heart clenched. He couldn’t stand to hear her desolate tone. “Not to worry, my sweet. I’ll make it right.”
She jumped and swung around. Her eyes widened and within moment, color entered her face. “Tristan! What are you doing here?”
“I have come to rescue the fair maiden.” He chuckled. “Actually, since you left without saying anything to me, I knew I must come find you.”
She sighed heavily. “I apologize for our hasty departure, but my mother received a letter from my father who wanted us home immediately. I fear his news was dreadful.”
He arched an eyebrow. “What news? Has he fallen ill?”
“Oh, Tristan.” Tears spiked her eyelashes. “My father has signed a betrothal agreement.”
Sadness—and panic—weighed heavily on his chest. Groaning, he scrubbed his palms over his face. He had to stop this. He couldn’t let her marry anyone but him!
He stepped closer and touched her hand. “Who is the man?”
“Viscount Hollingsworth.”
The man’s evil face flashed through Tristan’s mind.Impossible! She couldn’t possibly marry that vile man.“You must be jesting. Hollingsworth is a deceitful, selfish man. Why would any father torture their daughter in such a way by allowing them to marry Hollingsworth?”
“I wish I knew, Tristan. I tried to sway my father this morning, but he will not relent.”
Tristan hitched a breath. Anger and frustration sailed through him, making him want to lash out at someone—Hollingsworth in particular since he was the root of Tristan’s turmoil right now. “That is utterly ridiculous! There must be a way to change your father’s mind.”
“My father wants us to wed within two weeks.”
Suffocation choked Tristan. Hollingsworth couldn’t have Diana—not when Tristan wanted her! Tristan took her hands in his. “Diana, I came here to ask if you would be my wife.”
Tears slid down her cheeks and her bottom lip trembled. “If Hollingsworth wasn’t in my life right now, I would happily accept.” Her voice broke as more tears fell from her eyes.
“Surely, your father will listen to me. I am wealthier than Hollingsworth. I’m certain I could sway your father.”
She shook her head. “I pray you can, but I fear the viscount is holding something over my father and is trying to swindle him in some way.”
Cursing silently, Tristan pulled her in his arms. She clung to him like she never wanted to let him go. He felt the same helplessness and pulled her tighter in his embrace. She sobbed against his chest, which broke his heart that much more.
He kissed her ear and whispered, “Diana, you must trust me. I will fix things. Lord Hollingsworth willnotmarry you!”
Chapter Eleven
Tristan had neverfelt this desperate before. All he knew was that it would kill him if he couldn’t stop Diana from marrying Lord Hollingsworth.
He glanced toward her house. “Diana, please allow me to talk to your father. I will do all I can do to get him to change his mind.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “Come. I shall take you to him. Let me warn you that he is a very stubborn man.”
Tristan arched an eyebrow. “Then I should be able to understand him well since my brothers are also very stubborn.”
He followed Diana into her house as she led him to the sitting room. It was obvious by the worn furniture, faded curtains and rugs that the Baldwins were in desperate needs of funds. Perhaps this was the key to getting Lord Baldwin to change his mind. Tristan could assist, and would gladly help as long as the lord gave Tristan his daughter’s hand in marriage.
She squeezed his hands. “Stay here and I will fetch my father.” She remained standing in front of him as her desperate gaze slowly moved over his face. “Tristan, I wish you luck. I shall pray you will know the words to convince my father to break the betrothal agreement.”
