Page 26 of Earl, Enemy, Husband?

She straightened her shoulders, as if preparing to take up a great burden…him. He almost laughed out loud at his sudden wish that she would see it as a joy rather than a trial. Nonsense; it was simply a business arrangement, like so many other bargains he had made over the years. They both had to make a sacrifice to gain an advantage and they would make the best of it they could.

She bit her lip. ‘I have given my word. I will not go back on it.’

Eloise had. This time he would not allow it. He was not going to let the resolution to a major problem slip through his fingers now he had it in his grasp. ‘Good. I will call on your father later this afternoon.’

She gazed at him for a moment, then gathered her skirts, dipped a curtsey and left.

Chapter Five

Florence hurried along the lane. Clouds scurried across the sky carried by a cool breeze, but her mind was in such a turmoil she scarcely noticed. Why had she said yes? She should have asked for time to think. The word had seemed to force its way past her lips of its own volition.

She ought to feel pleased with the outcome. The girls would get the come-outs their mother had always wanted for them, and she would have a very handsome, distinguished husband. She should count her blessings, not feel…sad. It wasn’t that she disliked him, in fact she liked him a great deal, but the thought of marrying him for those very practical reasons felt rather like a commercial proposition.

She forced herself to be realistic. It wouldn’t be the first marriage arranged for the betterment of both families, or the last. And she had no right to expect more.

She ought to be grateful that he had not been disgusted by her past. She was a little disgusted by it herself. He had blamed Mr Campbell, though she hadn’t given his name, whereas she blamed herself. She had known better. She just hadn’t been able to see past the longings of her heart.

Well, she would not make that mistake again. This marriage was to be a business arrangement, nothing more nor less.

A pang in her chest halted her steps. She gazed unseeing at the road. Was she making a terrible mistake—another one? Perhaps she should ask Father to refuse his permission. He was going to be so angry when he discovered what she had done. She had begun to sense that he enjoyed the argument with the Ingrams more than he wanted the return of the land. And if that was the case perhaps he really would withhold his agreement.

Oh dear. She could not decide if that would be a good thing or a bad thing. She started walking more slowly, but no matter how slow her steps, she was soon entering the front door of her house.

She found her father in his study as usual. He looked up upon her entry with a scowl. Grizzled stubble covered his jaw and his cap sat slightly askew on his bald head. He must have had some sort of inspiration when he awoke and set to work immediately. ‘How is the writing going, Papa?’ she asked.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘Very good, actually.’

Thank heavens. Hopefully he was in a good mood.

She braced herself. ‘Lord Blackdown will be calling in this afternoon.’

Surprise filled his face. ‘Why?’

She hauled in a breath for courage and hoped her voice held steady. ‘He wishes to ask for my hand in marriage.’

For a moment, he simply stared at her, then leaned back in his chair. ‘What mischief have you been up to now?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’ve seen you before, young lady. I saw you fawning all over that Campbell fellow, chasing after him.’

Astonished, she stared at him. ‘You said nothing.’

He shifted in his chair. ‘I assumed it would fizzle out and it did.’

Not before a great deal of damage had been done. Anger rose up like a hard lump in her chest. ‘I see.’

‘And now you make a cake of yourself over this Blackdown fellow. I won’t countenance—’

‘You have no choice but to countenance. I have accepted his offer.’

‘Don’t raise your voice to me, young lady.’

Oh dear. She had raised her voice. She did not recall ever shouting at her father before, but she wasn’t going to apologise.

‘I am of age and I can accept whomsoever I please,’ she said. ‘As part of the marriage arrangements, he will gift you the field behind the house and pay for Iris and Primrose to have a Season in London.’

Papa’s eyebrows climbed higher and higher on his forehead as she spoke.