Free In Pursuit of Miriam by Helen A. Grant

Miriam.
    As he continued to pace, Vincent wondered, if Sir Thomas did withdraw his attentions, was Miss Knightly likely to attract another suitor who would overlook her disability? He now became concerned that he may have done her a great disservice even though his motive for dancing with her had been well intentioned.
    Only now did Vincent fully acknowledge what Mrs. Bright had been trying to tell him—that he had compromised Miss Knightly’s reputation. The gentlemanly thing to do was to make it known he had serious intentions towards her. Aghast, he realized the thought hadn’t even occurred to him.
    Had he dismissed her as a possible candidate for a wife prematurely because of her physical disability? The more he came to consider her, the more he thought that maybe Miss Miriam Knightly could be the solution to his problems. At the same time he could save her from the fate of becoming Sir Thomas’s wife. If Miriam consented to marrying him, he could inherit the family fortune, she could live a life of comfort as Countess of Chantry at Maudley Castle, and he would have the funds to return to London and the pleasurable life he had there.
    He thought about the practicalities of this. As there was no affection or understanding between them, perhaps they could have a marriage of convenience, which, although difficult, could be annulled when he reached twenty-five and they could both go their separate ways. The more he thought about this idea, the better he liked it, and he smiled to himself, hoping that he had found a way to solve his problems.
    He would talk to Miss Knightly as soon as possible, and if she agreed—and why should she not? —He would get a special licence and they could be married without delay. Surely she would be delighted at the thought of becoming the Countess of Chantry and running her own household. She would have a life of luxury and he would not interfere with her life nor she with his. She would suit him very well; she would not want to be in London at dances and social occasions, and when he did have to spend time with her she was not disagreeable and she did not seem to lack intelligence.
    When he saw Robert later that day, his friend questioned why he had danced in such a fashion with Miss Knightly the previous evening.
    â€œWhy on earth did you do that? It is most unlike you to act without propriety in any situation,” Robert said gravely.
    â€œI honestly don’t know what came over me, only that I thought I was bringing some enjoyment to Miss Knightly’s life. And in truth, it felt good at the time,” Vincent replied honestly.
    â€œI am sure it did feel good!” Robert exclaimed. “I think half of the ladies in the room hoped that you would dance with them in the same manner and found themselves most disappointed when you did not.”
    â€œI held her so close only because her legs were weak and she was in danger of collapse,” Vincent explained, and then he admitted with a grin, “I did not realize how good it would feel dancing so close to her and that is why I continued with the dance when I knew I should have escorted her back to her seat. The fault is all mine, and I am hoping that my plans will make the situation tolerable for both parties.”
    Robert’s eyebrows shot upward. “Your plans? Do tell.”
    Vincent was happy to tell Robert about his intention to ask Miss Knightly to enter into a marriage of convenience with him. At first Robert was speechless, but then said he could see some sense in the proposal; he certainly agreed that it would be awful to see Miriam married to Sir Thomas. He also said that if Miss Knightly was even half as delightful as her friend Lucy Spencer, then Vincent would have made a good choice.
    â€œI know that she is pretty and not lacking in intelligence,” explained Vincent, “but with her disability I think she is unlikely to attract any other suitors. Especially after last