Read Online Mastering the Marquess by Vanessa Kelly - Free Book Online

spinster, and her respectable fortune should be able to attract the attention of at least a baronet or a knight. Her beautiful face and form would do the rest.
    Silverton moved restlessly on the plush velvet cushions of Lady Stanton’s landau, frowning down at his hands as they suddenly clenched into fists. It struck him rather forcefully that he didn’t much like the notion of other men courting Meredith.
    â€œWell, Stephen, what do you think?”
    Silverton blinked. He had almost forgotten his aunt’s presence in the carriage.
    â€œI’m sorry, Aunt Georgina,” he apologized with a smile. “What do I think about what?”
    She glanced from the open carriage to Robert, who rode next to them on his bay mare. Aunt Georgina obviously didn’t want the lad to overhear their conversation.
    â€œWhat do you think about your cousin Annabel, Stephen?”
    â€œShe seems a perfectly delightful girl. I’m very happy you have found each other.”
    His aunt’s joyous smile practically blinded him. “Thank you, my dear. And thank you for coming with me today. I appreciate your assistance, especially since the general did not wish me to visit our granddaughter.”
    â€œNo thanks are necessary, my lady. You know that you have only to command me.” Silverton meant every word. Aunt Georgina had been the touchstone of his life for as long he could remember, and he would do almost anything for her.
    Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “Hmm,” she murmured. “I wonder . . .”
    â€œI beg your pardon?” He straightened in his seat, startled by the intensity of her gaze. He had seen that look before, and it always meant trouble—trouble for him, anyway.
    â€œAnnabel is very pretty, is she not?”
    â€œYes, my lady. Very pretty.”
    â€œAnd she seems to have a very sweet character—loving, loyal, and kind.” Her voice was deceptively bland.
    Silverton cautiously nodded his agreement, certain now that his aunt was up to something.
    â€œAnd such a large portion, too—at least ten thousand a year that her mother inherited from my sister, Regina.”
    He was familiar with the history of Annabel’s inheritance. Regina Compton was the oldest daughter of a very wealthy earl, and had never married. When she died at the age of forty-five, she left her entire fortune to her favorite niece, Elizabeth Stanton. Elizabeth’s financial independence had allowed her to defy General Stanton’s wishes and elope with Thomas Burnley, the handsome son of a wool merchant from Bristol. That fortune, after the death of both her parents, had eventually come to Annabel.
    â€œSuch a generous portion will make her vulnerable to fortune hunters,” Aunt Georgina mused, her eyes darting over the busy street as if she were searching for something.
    He sighed. “My dear ma’am, what exactly are you trying to say?”
    She fidgeted with her reticule. The small movement alarmed him; his aunt never fidgeted.
    â€œThe girl needs a husband, and soon.”
    Prickles of warning rippled down his spine. “So I understand,” he replied slowly.
    â€œAnd you, my dear nephew, are in need of a wife.”
    Silverton bit back an oath. Surely his aunt could not be serious. Either that, or the shock of meeting Annabel had caused her to lose her wits. “I hope you aren’t proposing me as a candidate, my lady.”
    She looked imperiously down her nose at him. “Stephen, that is exactly what I am suggesting. She is a delightful girl, as you said yourself, and would make you a perfectly lovely wife.”
    â€œMy dear aunt, she is just a child!”
    â€œWho will soon grow into a beautiful young woman. You know as well as I, these types of alliances can greatly strengthen the bonds in a family like ours. The general and I are second cousins. As you know, our parents arranged the match, and it was of great benefit to both of