Free The Convenient Bride by Teresa McCarthy Page A

but not too
many."
    "Do
you want Gerald to have the money?"
    "No."
    "Then
help me." Clayton stood with feet apart, hands behind his back, waiting
patiently for her answer. Surely his sister knew some maidens who would fulfill
his requirements.
    Her
violet eyes darkened. "My mind is blank on the subject."
    Clayton's
fists clenched. "With or without your help I will find a bride."
    "You
cannot marry without love, Clay."
    "Love
is not a requirement. Our parents married without love, and we turned out quite
fine indeed."
    "Did
we?" she said in a pained whisper. "Did we truly, Clay? It wasn't
easy knowing that Mama desperately loved Papa and he didn't return that
love."
    "Hell's
bells, Em! What do you want of me? My soul?"
    She
touched his sleeve. "I want you to marry a lady who loves you. I want you
to have what I have now, what Mother has now. What Roderick and Stephen have.
It is possible. Clay. Please, don't throw your life away on this castle and
Cathaven's money. It isn't worth it."
    Clayton
shrugged away, picking up one of the earl's alabaster bookends. His parents had
loved him. He knew that. But their life together hadn't been easy. After the
duke had died, the duchess had fallen in love with a gentleman who adored her.
Clayton had never seen his mother happier than she was now.
    Emily,
Roderick and Stephen had all found their true love. But Clayton had turned his
back on love after Serena had left him. Had he loved her? He wasn't sure
anymore. But he'd vowed never to go through that again. No one would have part
of his heart, love or otherwise. He had been a soldier and he quickly learned
that a vulnerability, mental or physical, could get you killed, and it dashed
well wasn't going to happen to him.
    He set
the bookend down. "I lost everything in the tobacco shipment. I have
nothing left."
    There
was a slight pause before Emily spoke. "I can understand how you feel, but
you have us. Roderick or Jared could give you some money, even lend—"
    "No!
I will not beg!"
    "It
won't be begging. We're family. You are entitled to your monthly sum."
    "Many
gentlemen live like that, but I cannot. Yes, that amount may keep me in London.
I could gamble, go to Newmarket, even travel a bit But I want control over what
I do. Since I lost my fortune, I would become dependent on the family. Roderick
would always have a say."
    "No,
he would never interfere in your life."
    There
was a loving gentleness in his sister's tone that tore at his heart. He didn't
want her sympathy or her pity.
    "Oh,
yes, he would. Roderick is the head of the family now."
    The hope
in Emily's eyes faded. She understood all too well the wish to be independent.
She had her own skeletons. "I cannot in good faith give you a list of
women for your choosing. There are some who would marry you just for the money,
and there are some who would marry you as a means to escape their family.
Either way, it would be a terrible loss for you, don't you see?"
    "No,
I don't see. I can make a decent choice. Don't you trust me? "
    "I
certainly cannot stop you. Most likely I will know the lady of your choosing. I
can only wish you well."
    "Then
you will not condemn me?"
    She held
his gaze. "No. I love you. Clay. But I want you to have what I have."
    He
marched toward the door. "I don't want your pity, Em. I want your
help."
    "What
are you thinking?" Emily asked in alarm.
    Clayton
peered over his shoulder, his lips curving into a wicked smile. "Marcus
gave me a short list, but I think I can do better. You refused to help, so I am
left to my own devices. I cannot promise you anything."
    Emily's
eyes widened. "Oh, no, you don't!" She ran to the door and flung her
arms wide, blocking him from leaving.
    He
glanced at her. "What? You think to stop me?"
    "Yes.
Briana is not for you."
    He
returned her determined gaze with one of his own. "I think you are
wrong."
    "Oh,
you are despicable! Just because she adored you as a child does not mean she
adores you now."
    His
chest swelled beneath his