Free Quick, Amanda by Desire Page A

read.
    Gareth examined the neatly framed flower beds and the carefully trimmed borders of the garden as he
    waited for Clare to read through the letter. He was familiar with the contents of Thurston's missive. His
    father had dictated the letter in Gareth's presence. It would be interesting to see how Clare reacted when
    she had finished reading.
    He did not have long to wait. Clare was obviously very skilled at reading. Just as he was.
    "I find this very difficult to believe," Clare muttered as she hurriedly perused the first paragraph. "Lord
    Thurston claims that you are the best candidate he could find. He says that you are the only one who
    was even remotely comparable to Lord Nicholas."
    "I told you as much."
    "I would not boast of it, if I were you. Nicholas is hardly a model of gracious chivalry."
    "I have heard that he is skilled with a sword and that he is loyal to his liege lord," Gareth said softly.
    "Those are Thurston's primary concerns."
    "It is easy for Lord Thurston to be satisfied with such simple qualifications. He is not obliged to marry
    the future lord of Desire."
    "I'll concede that much."
    Clare frowned as she returned her attention to the letter. "Surely there must have been others who ...
    By Hermione's elbow, sir, this is impossible." Clare looked up, clearly dumbfounded. "Lord Thurston
    claims that you are his eldest son."
    "Aye."
    "That cannot be true. Never expect me to believe that Thurston of Landry would want his heir to wed
    someone like me."
    Gareth slanted her a sidelong glance. "What is wrong with you?"
    "Nothing, of course. But Thurston's heir will be expected to make a fine match with a truly great heiress,
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    the daughter of a family which enjoys influence with King Henry. A grand lady whose dowry will include
    much wealth and vast estates. I have only one small manor and it is already bound to Lord Thurston."
    "You do not understand."
    "I most certainly do understand." Clare's voice rang with fresh outrage. "You, sir, are attempting to
    deceive me."
    The accusation annoyed him. "No, madam, I am not trying to cheat you."
    "Do not think you can trick me so easily. If you were truly the baron's heir, he would not settle this tiny
    little manor on you."
    "Madam—"
    "And why would you wish to live here in this remote place when, as Thurston's son and heir, you could
    have your choice of many fine holdings and great castles?"
    " 'Tis true that I am Thurston of Landry's eldest son," Gareth said through set teeth. "But I am not his
    heir."
    "How can that be?"
    "I'm his natural son, not his legitimate heir." Gareth looked at her, curious to see how she would react
    when she learned the full truth. "To be blunt, madam, I am Thurston's bastard."
    Clare was speechless for a moment. "Oh."
    He saw that she was surprised, but he could not tell if she was shocked or angered or horrified to
    discover that she would soon be wed to a bastard. "Now mayhap you understand."
    "Aye, sir, I do. Under the circumstances, Desire is no doubt as much as you can expect to receive by
    way of an inheritance, is it not?"
    He did not like the hint of sympathy in her voice. "Tis enough. More than I expected."
    Clare glowered at him and then bent her head over the letter. "This is too much. Your father states that
    I am to marry at once and that he hopes I will choose you, but if not, he will accept Nicholas of Seabern
    as the new lord of Desire."
    "I told you that Thurston is most anxious to see the matter settled," Gareth said neutrally. "He was much
    alarmed to discover that this manor had been without a lord for some time."
    "Ah—"
    "For some reason, he did not learn of your father's death until very recently. Apparently your letter
    notifying him of the sad event was delayed for a few months."
    "Well, as to that, aye, there was some small delay." Clare cleared her throat discreetly. "I was numbed
    with grief for a time, of