Page 36 of Snowed In with the Jilted Duke

“Until your father drove them away?”

“He demanded more and more rent until they could no longer afford it and went to look for work in the mills. We lost most of our best tenants that way, and they have only now begun to return.”

“Because of what you have done. The improvements you have made.”

“Well, yes.” Oliver shrugged. “I did not have much choice in the matter.”

“Not every man could do what you have done to restore the estate.”

Now it was Oliver’s turn to blush, and he turned his attention back to the horses and the road. “I only did my duty.”

The next farmhouse was just over the rise, and Oliver coaxed the horses into a trot. Anything to interrupt this conversation, which was far more gratifying than he deserved.

She was not his betrothed yet. He was still technically engaged to her sister, though some might argue that Penny had broken the engagement by running away. He supposed the note Penelope had left for Penny would count as proof since she had not left a note for him, but what if Penelope returned and said she wanted to marry him after all?

He needed to remember that Pippa was not his. Not yet. Perhaps not ever, if her father decided to call the loan due immediately rather than allow Oliver to change brides. The agreement only said it could be done, not that it was guaranteed.

Oliver pushed the dark thoughts away as they visited the tenants, but Pippa seemed to sense some of what he was feeling and watched him at each stop as his mood grew surly. At last, they distributed the final box and Oliver turned the horses towards home.

The noose was beginning to tighten again.

“Has anyone ever told you how my father and your grandfather came to their agreement?”

“No,” Pippa said, her tone cautious. “No one seemed to feel it was my business. Our business. We were only told that Penny would marry you when you were both of age.”

Snow began to filter down from the clouds. Oliver fixed his eyes on what could be seen of the road of he spoke. “My father was a famous gamester. He would wager on anything, always certain the next turn of the cards or roll of the dice would make his fortune. And he won just often enough to keep him playing.”

He glanced over at her solemn face. She, too, was looking at the road ahead, not at him.

“When your grandfather heard rumors of the duke who was quickly beggaring himself and his family with his gaming, he began to buy up my father’s debts, and he approached him with a bargain. If my father signed a marriage contract for me, your grandfather would loan him the money he needed to stay afloat. But if the marriage did not occur… the loan would come due immediately, in full. With interest.”

At her quick inhale, Oliver nodded. “You see my dilemma. According to the agreement, if I do not marry Penelope, I must return the money that was loaned to my father. That money has already been sunk into improvements for the estate. Things like the chapel roof, and the Kilmartins’ farm. There is no way to return it.”

He slowed the horses to a halt and turned to look at her. “You’ve seen the condition of the tenant farms now. I’ve only just been able to get the necessary improvements started on them. People depend on me, and I have depended on that money to help them.”

She tilted her head to look at him curiously as he looped the reins around his arm and took her hands in his.

“Pippa, I… in all honor, I am unsure what I can say to you about my situation. Clearly, Penelope has no intention of marrying me, but that does not automatically void the agreement my father made. Immediate payment of the loan would be required.”

She continued to gaze at him, and he cleared his throat.

“I… I think we both hope there might be a way to fulfill the agreement between our families if your father agrees, but if he does not, then I must seek out another heiress.”

With a gasp, she pulled her hands away. “What are you saying?”

“I am saying I wish to marry you, Pippa.” He rubbed his forehead, seeking the right words. “But if your father refuses, and I must still repay the loan, I would not be able to.”

She scowled. “I am of age. Papa has no say in who I marry.”

“He does have a say in where he gives his money, though. I would be willing to live with you alone in relative poverty, but what of my grandmother? What of my tenants who have only just returned? What of the people who work for my estates? I cannot consider only myself, much as I would like to.”

Oliver shook his head, frustrated at his own words. “My father cared nothing for his family, or his responsibilities. He only cared about the next turn of the cards. I cannot be like him. Do you see that?”

She gazed at him for a long time, eyes searching his face, and then sighed. “Yes. I understand.”

“I will speak to your father as soon as he arrives. I shall do my best to persuade him. But there are no guarantees.”

He wanted to tell her he loved her. The words tried to tear themselves from his throat. But until he had her father’s agreement that they could marry without the Dalstons being left destitute, he could not tie her to him in such a way.