“I will pray as well.”
Releasing his hands, she turned and hurried out of the room.
Nervousness eased its way in Tristan’s stomach. He flexed his hands, trying to think of the right words to say.This must work!
Never in his life had he imagined being in such a predicament. Although he figured he would marry for love one day, he had never imagined how much he would have to struggle just to keep that dream alive. Shouldn’t this have just fallen perfectly into place?
After several long and agonizing minutes ticked by, footsteps thudded on the floor in the corridor, growing louder as they neared the room. Taking a deep breath, Tristan said a silent prayer that all would work out, and by the end of the day he and Diana would be engaged.
Diana walked in the room with her father. Lord Baldwin was a stout man, and not as tall as Tristan. A frown etched his expression and bushy auburn eyebrows were pulled together over a narrowed gaze.
Tristan gulped. Already things were not looking good.
“Father, allow me to introduce Lord Tristan Worthington.” She met Tristan’s eyes. “My lord, this is my father, Baron Baldwin.”
Tristan nodded. “My lord.”
The other man grumbled the same response.
Hope that Tristan had tried to keep in his heart began to sink. Fast. Regardless of the panic encasing him, he smiled his best at the other man. “Lord Baldwin, I am very happy to finally meet the man whose daughter has captured my interest.” He took another breath, wondering why his heartbeat seemed to be running a race with his words. “The past few days at my mother’s party, I had the privilege of meeting your daughter. I found her such a delight and—”
“You are too late, Lord Tristan,” Baldwin barked. “She has been betrothed to the Viscount Hollingsworth.”
Tristan gulped and quickly cleared his throat. “Your daughter has already explained this to me. However, I am here to see if I can convince you otherwise.” He switched his focus to Diana, who bunched her hands at her side, appearing as nervous as Tristan felt. “Miss Baldwin and I have gotten to know each other, and I would very much like to marry her.”
She smiled at him, but her lips quivered.
Tristan looked back at Baldwin. “I understand you have signed a contract with Hollingsworth, but—”
“Please, Lord Tristan,” Baldwin grunted. “Do not make this any more difficult than it already is. The subject is closed. My daughterwillwed Lord Hollingsworth.”
Irritation expanded inside Tristan’s chest and he wanted to shake Diana’s father senseless. But he must remain calm. “My lord, if it’s money you seek, I can assure you I’m quite wealthy—”
“Please, no more.” Baldwin stepped closer to Tristan. Moisture glistened in the man’s eyes as a different expression crossed his face. It appeared as if the man was silently pleading for help. “Lord Tristan, there is nothing I can do. However, if you can convince Lord Hollingsworth to break the contract, I will happily give you and Diana my blessing.”
Something wasn’t right here. Confusion swam in Tristan’s head as he recalled Diana mentioning that Hollingsworth had some kind of hold over her father. Indeed, that must be the case because usually the father of the bride could break the marriage contract, yet Baldwin was reluctant to do so.
Tristan nodded. “That’s what I’ll do.” He bowed. “Good day, my lord.” He glanced at Diana and tried his best to give her a reassuring smile. “Iwillsee you later with good news.”
She brought her clutched hands to her chest and nodded. “I pray you will.”
Instead of waiting to be shown out, Tristan hurried out of the house and to his horse, determined to find Hollingsworth and convince him to release Diana’s father.
Although Tristan didn’t know the viscount well, he knew that the man loved playing the gaming tables…and loved cheating people. Tristan would find that man even if he had to search all over England.
Thankfully, he found Hollingsworth at the second place Tristan looked. It helped that he knew people and had good connections.
When Tristan approached the table, a few of the other lords nodded greetings to him and motioned for him to join them. Hollingsworth glared, but didn’t rebut the invitation. It shouldn’t surprise Tristan that his younger brother, Trey, was here. That particular brother loved living up to his corrupted reputation.
After a few hands—and a few cups of port—Tristan relaxed and tried to get into the game although his mind scrambled to think of a way he could talk Hollingsworth out of marrying Diana.
Tristan laid down his winning hand and grinned.
Lord Harris shook his head. “I should have known Lord Tristan would take my money. It never fails when I play with a Worthington.”
“Lord Tristan,” Hollingsworth said, aiming his glare at him, “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were cheating this evening.”
The others in the room hushed as their hands stilled. Tristan had played cards with Hollingsworth several times before, and should be used to his sour attitude by now. Although Tristan should call the bugger out, he wouldn’t… yet. “Then it’s a good thing you know me, isn’t it?”
