Free All the Pleasures of the Season by Lecia Cornwall

prevent, at least for the moment, by denying you passage on my ship.”
    Gilbert wondered if the earl was daft. “You can’t be suggesting I make an offer to marry her? Carrington would have me shot for my presumption, then make a rug out of my hide for the servant’s entrance. I’m the son of a minor baron—an ordinary man, Westlake—with no fortune and no land.”
    Adam regarded him as if none of that mattered in the least. “You have potential, brains, and character. Kelton has none of those qualities. Money, a handsome face, and a title won’t make up for the lack, not with Miranda. She values honor and family and love. Is it fair to say you are in love with her? I doubt Kelton feels any such emotion. To him, she is an acquisition, something necessary. I suppose it is her dowry he really wants, and the connection to Carrington.” He studied Gilbert. “Yet you don’t care about any of that, do you? You want her . To you, her wealth and connections are an impediment.
    â€œLove and honor won’t feed her and clothe her.”
    Adam shrugged. “I daresay wealth is easy enough to come by. How much does it cost to purchase a commission? You could still spend that money in other ways that would offer greater scope for your particular talents. And Miranda’s. Do you by any chance know anything about weavers, Mr. Fielding?”
    He wondered if the earl had lost his mind, until he described Miranda’s plans.
    â€œIt could be done at a much more modest estate than Kelton Grange. In fact, it would likely be the making of such a place, with the right landowner—and Miranda—in charge.”
    Gilbert stared at him, dared for an instant to hope. “Then it’s possible that she might—” He stopped, swallowed.
    â€œI believe you’ll have to ask Miranda that yourself. She will be free again once her betrothal to Kelton is ended. Possibly as soon as tomorrow. In my experience, once an Archer woman makes up her mind to do something, she rarely changes it.”
    â€œI’d have to see Carrington,” Gilbert said. Facing a dragon, or riding into battle against Napoleon himself would be less terrifying. Still, for Miranda, he’d face anything, do anything.
    â€œYes,” Adam said. “He loves Miranda as much as you do. Since you both want the same thing, to see her happy, I doubt it will be nearly as bloody as you expect.”
    The pain in Gilbert’s chest ebbed, and hope took its place, a warm glow that made him feel like laughing. He put his hat on. “I hope you’re right, Westlake. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some business to see to. May I call tomorrow?”
    Adam nodded. “At a suitable hour, if you please.”
    Gilbert went to Horse Guards first, and resigned his commission. Since Wellington was winning almost every battle, there were plenty of men willing to purchase it.
    Next, he visited a friend of his father’s who was in Town to sell a small estate in Shropshire, and bought it.
    He found the most exclusive modiste’s shop on Bond Street, the one patronized by the Archer ladies, who were widely regarded as the most fashionable women of the ton . He spoke to the weaver’s daughter. She was only too glad to accept his offer of a home for her family in Shropshire. Madame Mathilde kissed him, wished him the very best of luck, and offered to sew something scandalous for Miranda’s wedding trip if he was successful in his quest.
    Then Gilbert went and did what was hardest of all. He sold his stallion, and used the funds to buy a betrothal ring and a plain horse that would carry him to Carrington Castle to face the duke.

 
    C HAPTER T EN
    M iranda decided it was simpler to write a note to Kelton. She told him she could not marry him, did not wish to see him again, and signed her name. By the time he called to demand the return of the betrothal ring, she would be gone.
    Then