Free The Wagered Bride by Teresa McCarthy Page B

unshed
tears—tears she had obviously held back from her father.
     An
unwelcome blush stole across Stephen's cheeks. "It was not like that at
all."
    By
heaven, he would like to call Shelby out for this.
    She gave
a laugh that sounded more like a sob. "Ah, I see. But then what makes you
believe you are any different than Mr. Fennington? You have no quizzing glass,
is that it? Oh no, of course, you are far above such things, are you not? You
have no need to use any type of spectacles at all, do you?"
    "You
have no idea what I need, madam."
    "Oh,
but you are mistaken. You may have saved me from my father's wrath by keeping
him away from my trunk, but if you had not interfered, that trunk and I would
have been long gone by now. So, do not tell me I have no idea what you
need."
    "Indeed,"
he said, his lips thinning, barely following the thread of her conversation.
"What is it that I need, Miss Shelby?" 
    "Money,
my lord. My father’s detestable money."
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
    E lizabeth paced the length of her
father's bedchambers, seething with indignation at the night's folly.
    Lord
Stephen Clearbrook! The hateful, arrogant man! She would never marry him. Not
if he were the last man in England.
    Granted,
the man might have a title, not to mention the face and figure of a god, but
that meant absolutely nothing. He was a penniless thief and would never have
her heart. And if she had anything to say about it, he would never have her
father's money either.
    "He
is a despicable man, Papa, and I will not have it. I will not marry him!"
    William
Shelby turned from the fire, his deep gray eyes filled with sympathy and
something more—grim determination.
    An icy
finger of despair slid down Elizabeth's spine. She had seen that calculating
look on his face many times before when he was involved in the most ruthless of
business ventures. It meant no shortcuts, no leniency, no giving in, and cursed
be the man or woman who dared to stop him from achieving his goal.
    "Papa
... please ... I beg you, do not do this to me."
    Her
father glanced back into the crackling fire, dipping his hands toward the
hearth for warmth. "I know how you are feeling, poppet. But believe me,
this is for the best. We could always look for an earl or a marquess or, by
Jove, even a duke. But this is enough. More than I had ever hoped for."
    With a
tired sigh, he turned back to her, stuffing his chubby hands into his pockets.
"I ain't one to be greedy, Lizzie. But the man's the fourth son of a duke.
Don't you see? Your children will be able to hold their heads up in Society and
never have to prove themselves to the world."
    Elizabeth's
heart tripped. "But I do not love him, Papa. And the man does not love
me." He loves another.
    Her
father shook his head. "I will not go back on my decision. It's as good as
done. I've already sent the notice to the papers. Told my friends. In fact,
many of Lord Harmstead's guests know all about it by now."
    Elizabeth
grabbed the back of a chair, her fingers digging into the cushion. And what
about Mr. Fennington? To let him wallow in her wake seemed too heartless to
contemplate. She should have made her plans sooner.
    "But,
Papa, to marry a man I do not love?"
    "Not
another word about it." Her father cut the air with his hand, giving her
his back as he moved toward the bedside table to pour himself a glass of wine.
    Elizabeth
stood, shocked. The man she had loved all her life was dismissing her plea as
though they were speaking of something as mundane as what entree was to be
served at supper. She felt as if he had ripped her heart out of her chest and
stamped on it.
    "The
deed is done, Lizzie. Lord Stephen is a fine fellow. Fine on the eyes, too.
Can't deny that. Got you a prime gentleman, I have. Strong muscled, dresses
with elegance, but not a bit of the fop in him.
    "Ain't
one of those stuffy fellows. He was at Waterloo and I have heard of some mighty
fine things he did there. Fine officer. Saved Wellington's life. Caught a