Free The Wedding Escape by Karyn Monk Page B

learned enough about him to realize that he is not a suitable match for Miss Belford. I intend to tell her so.”
    Oliver raised a quizzical brow. “Do ye now? And just what is it, exactly, about his lordship has brought ye to this decision?”
    â€œLord Philmore has found himself another heiress to wed.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo Miss Belford can’t very well expect him to marry her when it was announced in the newspapers today that he intends to marry someone else.”
    â€œSeems to me that’s nae your decision to make, lad,” Oliver argued. “The lass didna ask ye to decide for her whether ye thought the match was good or no. All she asked was that ye find her precious viscount an’ take her to him, plain and simple. An’ that’s what ye agreed to do.”
    â€œThat was before.”
    â€œAfore what?”
    Jack hesitated. “Before I discovered that her precious viscount is a man who is apparently without funds or honor.” He decided to spare Oliver the more sordid details of Philmore’s character.
    Oliver chuckled. “Ye’ve been away at sea too long, lad. There’s more honor amongst thieves than amongst those rich nobs, an’ that’s the sad truth o’ the matter.”
    â€œHaydon is honorable.”
    â€œAye, he is. But his lordship is nae like the others. That’s always been plain enough, I think.”
    â€œI don’t like the fact that Philmore was so quick to bag himself another heiress the moment he realized Miss Belford was no longer available. If he actually cared for her, he would have at least had the decency to wait before chasing after another rich woman.”
    Oliver cocked a white brow with amusement. “So ’tis his timin’ that’s stuck like a bone in yer gorge, and nae else.”
    Jack stared out the carriage window and said nothing.
    â€œThink for a moment, lad,” Oliver urged. “If ye return to Miss Amelia now an’ tell her ye didna meet with her betrothed because ye’ve found that he’s gone and gotten himself another bride, how do ye suppose she’s goin’ to react? Do ye think she’s goin’ to thank ye for decidin’ she best not see him?”
    â€œYes.”
    Oliver snorted, exasperated. “Ye’re nae thinkin’ clear. ’Tis more like she’ll tell ye ye’re wrong, and demand ye take her to him straightaway. If ye refuse, she’ll find him herself. An’ how do ye suppose he’ll react if the lass just shows up on his doorstep with nae warnin’—maybe while his bonny new bride-to-be is there?”
    That would be disastrous, Jack realized. Not just because Philmore would be caught unawares and might react unpleasantly, but also because there would be others present—servants, or even one of Philmore’s lovers—who might be tempted to turn Amelia in. With ten thousand pounds being offered for information leading to her whereabouts, her situation was extremely precarious.
    â€œWhatever blather ye’ve heard, ye’ve nae way of knowin’ for certain whether this Philmore cares for Miss Amelia or not. Who knows? He might break his betrothal and marry Miss Amelia instead.”
    â€œHe was only interested in Amelia for her money,” Jack told him with absolute certainty. “Since she no longer has any, Philmore won’t marry her. If those men in there are even half right about his financial situation, he can’t afford to marry her.”
    â€œSeems to me ye’re nae considerin’ he might actually care for her,” Oliver argued. “Surely ye can see how rare bonny she is. Even old Beaton could see that, an’ he was completely stewed.”
    Jack said nothing.
    â€œYe’d best hope Philmore does decide to marry her,” Oliver continued. “If he doesna, then just what, exactly, are ye plannin’ to do with her?”
    Jack shifted restlessly