Read Online Marriage Under Siege by Anne O'Brien - Free Book Online

astonished, he thought. As if she had never even considered the
prospect.
    'No.' He could not identify
the emotion in her voice.
    'Are you quite certain?' He
kept his voice gentle.
    'I am certain, my lord. I
am not breeding.'
    'Very well. Then tell me
what you wish for. Your jointure is secure in all details. You have the manor
and the London property, with sufficient income to allow you to live
independently. I presume the estate is capable of raising it, if it is taken in
hand. Sir William Croft seemed to think so.'
    'Yes. It is what I hoped
for. And I have thought about it carefully. If I live at Leintwardine, I do not
believe that I would be in any danger. My neighbours, apart from yourself,
would all be Royalist and most of them connected by family to the Bramptons.
And since I have no intention whatsoever of dabbling in local politics, I think
that no one would threaten my peace or my safety. Leintwardine Manor is small
and insignificant—hardly a key property in county affairs.' She clasped her
hands on the table, fingers tightly linked, as if her determination would make
it so. 'If there was a threat, I should know about it. Eleanor Croft, Sir
William's wife, would ensure that I be warned.'
    'You seem very sure.' His
brows rose.
    'Yes.' Honoria chose not to
explain her certainty.
    'You may be right.' But
why? He tucked the thought away, to be perused at a later date. 'But you should
consider, my lady, the alternative possibilities. What if the Royalists do not
prosper? What if Parliament is able to put considerable forces into the- field
in the west and can overcome His Majesty? A superior Parliamentarian force
might be victorious and see Leintwardine as a jewel for its collection. The
garrison at Gloucester is not so far away, after all, and if Sir William Waller
should bring his forces to strengthen it, well...' He shrugged, rose to his
feet and moved restlessly around the room, his tall frame dominating the space.
'And I am not convinced that your sex or your family connections would
automatically safeguard you from attack.'
    'But that is all
supposition, my lord.' She frowned at him as he purposely undermined all her
comfortable planning.
    'I know. And I remember
your previous words to me: that you had had enough of betrothals and marriages
to last a lifetime. But consider.' He sat again and leaned forward on his
elbows, spread his hands palm up. 'I believe that national events are likely to
overtake us before we know it and we will all be caught up in the maelstrom of
war and violence whether we wish it or no. If you agreed to the marriage I
would give you the protection of my name, my resources and my body. Your
jointure would remain as it is now, to give you financial security in case of
my death. For the present, Brampton Percy would remain your home and I would do
all in my power to secure your jointure estates from attack.'
    It was a very persuasive
argument. But I hate this place! The hatred
burned in her throat, hammered in her head. But she did not, could not choose
to say it aloud in the face of such a generous gesture. But did he mean it?
Could he truly contemplate marriage with her rather than allow her to go her
own way and so rid him of the responsibility?
    'I would not pressure you,'
Mansell persisted, 'but there is much to recommend the scheme.'
    She looked at him at last,
a clear and level gaze, keeping her voice light. 'Perhaps you have not
considered, my lord. My upbringing was under the influence of Sir Robert
Denham, as you are well aware. As a Baron of the Exchequer, he was unswervingly
loyal to the King. And so my own inclination has been formed. Could you really
believe that the marriage of a Parliamentary radical, as I understand the
matter, to a Royalist sympathiser would be suitable?' She caught the quick
flash of surprise on his face. 'Did you think to keep your political leanings
secret in this house? You spoke about them to Sir William after Lord Edward's burial.
You were