Read Online One Moonlit Night (Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella) by Gaelen Foley - Free Book Online
Authors: Gaelen Foley
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me? Netherford is a terrible influence on you,” he added. “Stay away from him.”
Gable gritted his teeth. Ah, but he was used to this. Being under his father’s control. He chafed at it with every fiber of his being. “As you said, sir, I am a grown man. I’m sure I can choose my own friends.”
When his father let this go with no more than a disapproving glance, Gable got his first uneasy inkling that the earl had something larger in mind.
“Very well. But I have made a decision regarding your affairs.”
“Oh, really?”
“Since you are so keen to sample other men’s wives, I think it’s time you had one of your own.”
“Pardon?” Gable blurted out.
“I am giving you exactly four weeks from today to find a suitable girl and marry her. You have until Saturday, sixth of June. If you fail to do this thing—if you refuse—then you shall live in penury, for that is also the day that, if you fail, I shall be cutting off your funds. My decision is final. This matter is not open for discussion. Let me know when you find her. Good day, sir.”
Gable flinched, but he was hardly surprised. “Father, I don’t think you understand. If I could just explain—”
“No, Gable, you don’t understand!” his father suddenly thundered at him, the impassioned use of his first name betraying the fact that he was not just angry, but frightened, belatedly, at how things could have gone. “You are my son! You could have been killed. And even if you weren’t, you could have killed a man this morning! Do you really want to live with such a burden on your soul, all for the sake of your mindless pleasures? Truly, have I sired a conscienceless fool?”
His father marched closer. “Did it never occur to you, in addition, that dueling is illegal in the first place? Is my son, a future peer, to be arrested for breaking the law like a common criminal? Do you have any idea what it would do to my bill in Parliament, the one I have been working on for the past two years, Gable?
“And even if you aren’t arrested,” he charged on, not letting Gable get a word in edgewise, “since justice so often turns a blind eye to our kind, people learn about these things! How does this make you look to decent folk? Adultery and dueling?” he cried. “What sort of example, I ask, are you setting for the lower orders?”
“I never set myself up to be an example for the lower orders, Father,” Gable attempted angrily, but his father talked over him.
“Well! If hitting you in the purse strings is the only way to get your attention, then you leave me no choice. I did not want it to come to this, but I would be remiss in my duties as your parent if I let this continue.” The earl rounded his great oaken desk again, resuming his seat of authority and power. “If you wish to keep your handsome house in Moonlight Square, dear boy, your memberships at the Grand Albion and White’s; if you wish your bills paid to the tailor and the boot maker, and the pubs and the brothels, and the wages of your household staff paid, then you will do your duty and comply. Any questions?”
Why, it was the most his father had spoken to him in years.
Gable dropped his gaze, but could not quite hold his tongue. He lifted his chin, politely glaring. “Why don’t you just choose my wife for me, as well, Father? I’m sure you must have ideas about that. You always seem to know what would be best.”
“Don’t give me your cheek,” the earl warned. “No. So long as she is suitable, you will choose your own bride. Perhaps, then, you might just be inspired to be a faithful husband after having tempted so many other men’s wives astray. I expect a report on your progress within a sennight. However, ahem, as it happens, I did make a list of my preferences for you,” he admitted. “Here. You may peruse them at your leisure.”
He slid a piece of paper across his desk to Gable, who picked it up, numb.
“If you wish information on the young ladies or
Gable gritted his teeth. Ah, but he was used to this. Being under his father’s control. He chafed at it with every fiber of his being. “As you said, sir, I am a grown man. I’m sure I can choose my own friends.”
When his father let this go with no more than a disapproving glance, Gable got his first uneasy inkling that the earl had something larger in mind.
“Very well. But I have made a decision regarding your affairs.”
“Oh, really?”
“Since you are so keen to sample other men’s wives, I think it’s time you had one of your own.”
“Pardon?” Gable blurted out.
“I am giving you exactly four weeks from today to find a suitable girl and marry her. You have until Saturday, sixth of June. If you fail to do this thing—if you refuse—then you shall live in penury, for that is also the day that, if you fail, I shall be cutting off your funds. My decision is final. This matter is not open for discussion. Let me know when you find her. Good day, sir.”
Gable flinched, but he was hardly surprised. “Father, I don’t think you understand. If I could just explain—”
“No, Gable, you don’t understand!” his father suddenly thundered at him, the impassioned use of his first name betraying the fact that he was not just angry, but frightened, belatedly, at how things could have gone. “You are my son! You could have been killed. And even if you weren’t, you could have killed a man this morning! Do you really want to live with such a burden on your soul, all for the sake of your mindless pleasures? Truly, have I sired a conscienceless fool?”
His father marched closer. “Did it never occur to you, in addition, that dueling is illegal in the first place? Is my son, a future peer, to be arrested for breaking the law like a common criminal? Do you have any idea what it would do to my bill in Parliament, the one I have been working on for the past two years, Gable?
“And even if you aren’t arrested,” he charged on, not letting Gable get a word in edgewise, “since justice so often turns a blind eye to our kind, people learn about these things! How does this make you look to decent folk? Adultery and dueling?” he cried. “What sort of example, I ask, are you setting for the lower orders?”
“I never set myself up to be an example for the lower orders, Father,” Gable attempted angrily, but his father talked over him.
“Well! If hitting you in the purse strings is the only way to get your attention, then you leave me no choice. I did not want it to come to this, but I would be remiss in my duties as your parent if I let this continue.” The earl rounded his great oaken desk again, resuming his seat of authority and power. “If you wish to keep your handsome house in Moonlight Square, dear boy, your memberships at the Grand Albion and White’s; if you wish your bills paid to the tailor and the boot maker, and the pubs and the brothels, and the wages of your household staff paid, then you will do your duty and comply. Any questions?”
Why, it was the most his father had spoken to him in years.
Gable dropped his gaze, but could not quite hold his tongue. He lifted his chin, politely glaring. “Why don’t you just choose my wife for me, as well, Father? I’m sure you must have ideas about that. You always seem to know what would be best.”
“Don’t give me your cheek,” the earl warned. “No. So long as she is suitable, you will choose your own bride. Perhaps, then, you might just be inspired to be a faithful husband after having tempted so many other men’s wives astray. I expect a report on your progress within a sennight. However, ahem, as it happens, I did make a list of my preferences for you,” he admitted. “Here. You may peruse them at your leisure.”
He slid a piece of paper across his desk to Gable, who picked it up, numb.
“If you wish information on the young ladies or
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