Read Online An Accidental Affair by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Heather Boyd
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Laurence waved his hands and refused to take it.
“The worst news is at the end.”
Merrick didn’t like his chances of avoiding the cloying phrases, so he skimmed them as best he could until the letter became interesting. He sat up straighter and whistled. “That’s a surprise. I imagined Farnsworth might approve of someone younger, a man he could control.” He’d also thought Parker’s attention had been on Arabella, not the niece.
Laurence nodded. “And Parker’s cruel. Just last week he beat an urchin who’d stumbled into his path.”
“There is no reason to suspect he would show his wife so little consideration.” Merrick caught his cousin’s gaze. “Despite that, it could be a good match for her. She’s bound to outlive him and can marry whomever she pleases later.”
Laurence’s expression became distraught. “I cannot wait forever. You were correct last night that I had not considered her reputation, but eloping, as Cecily suggests, is bound to cause a scandal for the family. I love her and want to spend every moment making her happy. What should I do?”
“There is nothing that can be done.” Merrick had discovered fathers were quite an obstacle when a man had his mind on their daughter, even when he had honorable intentions. “Her father has the right to choose her husband, even if others may find the match disagreeable.”
Laurence stood and paced before the desk, long legs eating up the distance in jerky strides. It was like watching a windmill, limbs everywhere at once. He pulled his temperamental orchid out of danger again and moved it to a safer position behind him to prevent an accident.
“Can you imagine Cecily wed to that man?” Laurence exclaimed suddenly. “She’s far too spirited in nature to ever be truly happy with such a match.”
When Merrick had mentioned last night that it was ungentlemanly to steal kisses from an unmarried girl without there being an understanding, he had no notion that his words would be taken so far to heart and so quickly. That Laurence had attempted to propose impressed him, but he couldn’t fathom why he would want to be saddled with such a wild, untamed wife. There wouldn’t be a lot of easy companionship in the marriage. Laurence was not thinking sensibly. “Are you sure you want to be saddled with her? I hope your decision had less to do with the threat of Aunt Pen and that you are aware of every facet of Lady Cecily’s personality.”
A flush of color swept Laurie’s face. Anger or embarrassment, Merrick couldn’t tell. Laurence sat again and drew in a shaky breath. “She may have an impetuous nature, but we do have similar interests. As you can see from her note, it is her wish to elope and avoid marriage to Lord Parker, and I’m willing to go along with that. I do want her for my wife—with or without her dowry. I’ve never considered such a thing as a necessity before and hoped you might advise me of how to go on.”
Merrick leaned back in his chair. Making a potentially scandalous match, without the family’s approval or the anticipation of the girl’s dowry to sweeten the pot, raised Merrick’s estimation of Laurence’s character considerably. Only a man in love or a fool would go against such pressure. “What makes you think I could help with an elopement?”
Laurence colored. “My brothers have mentioned your experience with women on occasion, and you have come to Lady Farnsworth’s aid before.”
Merrick frowned. “What does Lady Farnsworth have to do with you eloping?”
“An unsuccessful elopement, rather than a successful one, is sure to cause Lady Farnsworth considerable embarrassment. We would rather avoid capture if at all possible.”
He stood, infuriated that he was being blackmailed by his own cousin with the threat of diminishing Lady Farnsworth’s happiness. There was no way Laurence had concocted this scheme on his own. This was Cecily’s influence at work. “I see Cecily doesn’t care one
“The worst news is at the end.”
Merrick didn’t like his chances of avoiding the cloying phrases, so he skimmed them as best he could until the letter became interesting. He sat up straighter and whistled. “That’s a surprise. I imagined Farnsworth might approve of someone younger, a man he could control.” He’d also thought Parker’s attention had been on Arabella, not the niece.
Laurence nodded. “And Parker’s cruel. Just last week he beat an urchin who’d stumbled into his path.”
“There is no reason to suspect he would show his wife so little consideration.” Merrick caught his cousin’s gaze. “Despite that, it could be a good match for her. She’s bound to outlive him and can marry whomever she pleases later.”
Laurence’s expression became distraught. “I cannot wait forever. You were correct last night that I had not considered her reputation, but eloping, as Cecily suggests, is bound to cause a scandal for the family. I love her and want to spend every moment making her happy. What should I do?”
“There is nothing that can be done.” Merrick had discovered fathers were quite an obstacle when a man had his mind on their daughter, even when he had honorable intentions. “Her father has the right to choose her husband, even if others may find the match disagreeable.”
Laurence stood and paced before the desk, long legs eating up the distance in jerky strides. It was like watching a windmill, limbs everywhere at once. He pulled his temperamental orchid out of danger again and moved it to a safer position behind him to prevent an accident.
“Can you imagine Cecily wed to that man?” Laurence exclaimed suddenly. “She’s far too spirited in nature to ever be truly happy with such a match.”
When Merrick had mentioned last night that it was ungentlemanly to steal kisses from an unmarried girl without there being an understanding, he had no notion that his words would be taken so far to heart and so quickly. That Laurence had attempted to propose impressed him, but he couldn’t fathom why he would want to be saddled with such a wild, untamed wife. There wouldn’t be a lot of easy companionship in the marriage. Laurence was not thinking sensibly. “Are you sure you want to be saddled with her? I hope your decision had less to do with the threat of Aunt Pen and that you are aware of every facet of Lady Cecily’s personality.”
A flush of color swept Laurie’s face. Anger or embarrassment, Merrick couldn’t tell. Laurence sat again and drew in a shaky breath. “She may have an impetuous nature, but we do have similar interests. As you can see from her note, it is her wish to elope and avoid marriage to Lord Parker, and I’m willing to go along with that. I do want her for my wife—with or without her dowry. I’ve never considered such a thing as a necessity before and hoped you might advise me of how to go on.”
Merrick leaned back in his chair. Making a potentially scandalous match, without the family’s approval or the anticipation of the girl’s dowry to sweeten the pot, raised Merrick’s estimation of Laurence’s character considerably. Only a man in love or a fool would go against such pressure. “What makes you think I could help with an elopement?”
Laurence colored. “My brothers have mentioned your experience with women on occasion, and you have come to Lady Farnsworth’s aid before.”
Merrick frowned. “What does Lady Farnsworth have to do with you eloping?”
“An unsuccessful elopement, rather than a successful one, is sure to cause Lady Farnsworth considerable embarrassment. We would rather avoid capture if at all possible.”
He stood, infuriated that he was being blackmailed by his own cousin with the threat of diminishing Lady Farnsworth’s happiness. There was no way Laurence had concocted this scheme on his own. This was Cecily’s influence at work. “I see Cecily doesn’t care one
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