Free Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) by Marie Higgins

get you married off before the end of the month.”
    “Harold, dear, what are you saying?” Her mother leaned forward in her chair.
    He arched an eyebrow, keeping eye contact with Megan. “What if I told you that you do have a grand dowry?”
    She bit her lip to keep from being disrespectful and laughing, but a smile tugged at her mouth, nonetheless. “Father, stop jesting. If I had a grand dowry, we wouldn’t be bickering about the wealthiest benefactor right now.”
    He shook his head. “I have an ace up my sleeve I haven’t yet played.”
    Her mother blew out a gush of air before pushing her chair from the table and standing. “Well, for heaven’s sake, Harold, don’t keep us in suspense. What do you have?”
    He grinned and walked to the window. He leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Recently, in a card game, I won a piece of land. It’s worth an impressive amount of money.”
    Her mother hurried to his side and touched his sleeve. “Then what’s this fuss with money all about? Why don’t you just sell the land—”
    “Because,” Harold interrupted, “it’s an extremely large amount of money. The problem is, nobody knows about it. You see, the deed to the property states the land is across the sea in California. A town called San Francisco, to be exact.”
    Megan gasped.
    “You cannot be serious, Harold. California?” Her mother’s hand flew to her throat. “Have you even heard what’s going on over there right now?”
    “Of course I know what’s going on. I read the newspaper.”
    “The people there are heathens,” her mother whispered.
    A shudder ran down Megan’s spine. Such things didn’t matter to her father. As long as he received money, he’d be happy. “Father? What has this to do with me?” The deep gnawing in her stomach let her know his answer would be horrible.
    “I just realized we have been trying to find you a husband the incorrect way. All this time, your mother’s uncouth tactics have been chasing men away, but if we follow my plan, the eligible titled men will be lined up at our door. And the threat of Lord Thornwyck joining the family will be but a vague memory.”
    Her heart pounded in against her ribs, and her stomach rolled with nausea. She clutched her grasped hands to her middle. “Father, what are you going to do?”
    “My plan is to post an announcement in the newspaper, stating I’m searching for a partner in my new business adventure. But in order to become my partner in this goldmine, my daughter’s hand in marriage will have to be obtained first.”
    She groaned and covered her face. This could not be happening. At her mother’s enthusiastic squeal, Megan’s heart dropped.
    “Oh, Harold. This idea is wonderful. Why haven’t you thought of this before now?”
    “Because I really didn’t want a partner in my goldmine. But now it seems I have no other choice.”
    Megan pressed the tips of her fingers to her eyes and fought back tears. She breathed slowly, trying to get her emotions under control. “Father, you and Mother have forgotten one important thing.” She dropped her hands and raised her chin.
    “What’s that, my dear?” her mother asked.
    “Father’s plan will cause a scandal. Why, it’s unheard of. You will be selling your daughter to the highest bidder – like an auction.”
    His eyes beamed like the afternoon sun. “An auction? Why, that’s an excellent idea, child.”
    Megan groaned as her heart jumped to her throat. “No, Father. I will not be subject to ridicule.”
    He smirked as he stepped toward her. His knuckles caressed the side of her face in a loving fashion, but she knew love wasn’t the emotion growing with her father right now.
    “You have no other choice,” he told Megan. “You will abide by my rules, or you will be an outcast to society. Then what will you do? At least my plan will catch you a wealthy husband.”
    Tears stung her eyes. “Father? You do know this will mean you and Mother will have to move