Read Online Love With the Proper Husband by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

course. And the benefits of that are yet to be determined. I simply don’t lose what I have.” He blew a resigned breath. “If we do not marry, I forfeit my entire fortune.”
    “I see,” she said slowly. His determination to marry her now made sense.
    “Miss Townsend.” He moved toward her. “This is not my choice. I would gladly live in poverty for the rest of my days rather than force either of us into a marriage that is not to our liking.”
    “I doubt that.” She huffed in disbelief. “I have been poor, and it’s not the least bit enjoyable.”
    He ignored her. “Even though I myself am more convinced than ever that we have been brought together by the hand of fate—”
    “Yes, yes, fate. Destiny. Written in the stars and so forth.” She rolled her gaze toward the ceiling and sank onto the sofa. “Please, just go on.”
    “You should know my motives are not completely selfish. I am not the only one affected by this. There are people who depend on me.” He ran his hand through his hair, and she realized she was right. He did indeed look like a boy with his hair ruffled. “Tenants on the estate, and small armies of servants, and my mother, who will lose her fortune as well if we do not marry.
    “The village of Pennington itself depends on my patronage as it depended on the patronage of my father and his father before him. Beyond that, I have not been miserly with my wealth. I give generously to a great number of charities.” He stopped and glared at her. “Do you have any idea how many orphans through the years have been named after me?”
    “Pennington seems rather a mouthful for an orphan,” she murmured.
    “Don’t be absurd. They’ve been named Marcus, of course.” He shook his head. “Can’t imagine naming an orphan Pennington.”
    “Marcus.” The name rolled nicely on her tongue.
    “I know this is my problem and not yours.” He cast her a pointed glance. “Although a wife should share in her husband’s troubles.”
    “Perhaps, but I am not going to be your wife.”
    Once again he continued as if he hadn’t heard. “It is all my fault, I know that. I should have found a wife years ago. But it’s not nearly as simple as it seems, you know.”
    “Not even for someone as charming as you?”
    “No, indeed.” His pacing continued without pause. “Oh, certainly you would think with all those fresh young faces trotted out every year for the season like cattle at Tattersall’s it would not be at all difficult to select a bride. Admittedly there are any number with respectable families or acceptable dowries. Indeed, there are many who are attractive as well, and some even have a modicum of intelligence. But I don’t think one should choose a wife as one selects a new mount, with an eye simply toward teeth and bearing and breeding. Do you, Miss Townsend?”
    “Not at all.” The man was positively mesmerizing in his passion, and she could not tear her gaze from him.
    “Of course not. It makes no sense. Yet that is essentially what is expected. But for good or ill, I did not do it. I did not take my pick of any season’s offerings, and I certainly could have. Did I tell you I am considered quite eligible?”
    “You may have mentioned it.”
    “Good. You should know what you’re getting.”
    She opened her mouth to protest, then clamped it shut. He would pay her no heed right now anyway. He was distinctly reminiscent of a boulder rolling downhill faster and faster.
    “In truth, I find this whole concept of a marriage mart most distasteful. And do you know why, Miss Townsend?”
    She widened her eyes and shook her head.
    “It’s too…businesslike. Too impersonal. Don’t you agree?”
    She nodded.
    “Damn it all, Miss Townsend, I realize it is not readily apparent but I have something of a sentimental streak in me, although admittedly I don’t show it. Indeed, my friends think I have no sentiment in me whatsoever simply because I do not wear my heart on my sleeve.”
    “Do