Free Dare to Love by Alleigh Burrows Page B

holding up well, but with Caroline being so much younger, it must sting. All those years on the marriage mart and not so much as a nibble. It’s a shame. She’s always been good with children. I’m sure she’s keen to have some of her own.”
    More interested in the game than the conversation, Dare stated, “Why not find her a widower or lonely vicar and make him come up to scratch?”
    William shot him an insulted glare. “Come, now, Nivea deserves better than that. She’s a good sort and the Horsham name should ensure her a title. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    Dare had begun to enjoy himself and had no interest in being drawn into a discussion of marriage. “Maybe she’s better off as she is. After all, marriage is naught but a prison.”
    He should have known better. All he did was stir up a heated reaction.
    “Ho, ho! I don’t think that theory holds much water here,” William proclaimed.
    “That’s right. We are quite content with our lives,” added Thomas.
    “Ah yes, I’m sure you think so now. But the thrill will burn out soon enough and you’ll be joining me in rakish pursuits in no time. Of that, I am certain.” Then turning to his left, he added, “Well, not you, Godwin. You always have been a bit of a stick. Now you’re just a sappier stick.”
    Thomas shrugged his shoulders. “I have no regrets. In fact, I think I’ll retire and join my wife for some marital bliss.”
    “Ha! There is no marital bliss, just people in heat.”
    Thomas didn’t rise to the bait. He scooped up his pile of coins and took his leave.
    Dare threw back another drink, warming to the subject. “Come now. You know marriage is no more than a business relationship. Even if it begins with some attraction, the hands of time cause it to sour.”
    Joseph shook his head. “That is not true. You’re just bitter because Constance threw you over.”
    With a scornful snort, Dare answered, “I only pursued her because she would have been an obedient wife who stayed in the country, bearing my heirs, while I continue my lifestyle. My heart was never involved.”
    “That may be why she chose someone else,” Joseph pointed out.
    “Ridiculous. There is obviously a flaw in her character. It is just as well I didn’t introduce her blood into my family.” He banged his glass down on the table.
    William growled, “Be careful now, Dare. You forget that blood is now in my family. Amelia was the best thing to happen to my father.”
    Dare waved his hand dismissively at his friend. “Yes, well, she won’t be bearing you any heirs, will she? You’ll be the next earl, and your son after you. All I can say is that I must be very selective when finding a wife to carry on my bloodline. It will be a business decision, not anything as illusionary as love.”
    “Illusionary? Landis, you couldn’t be more wrong. I love Briar,” Joseph protested, with William joining in.
    “And I, Betsy. Surely, you can see if you stopped treating women like interchangeable playthings, you might be able to form an attachment.”
    Dare glared at them. “But why would I want to? They are interchangeable. The only difference is how long it takes for me to find their cloying behavior to be a bore.”
    “You need to consider the possibility that the right woman is out there,” Joseph urged.
    “The right woman, meaning faithful and obedient? It’s not possible.”
    “There are any number of happy marriages.”
    “Bah! My parents cannot tolerate each other, with good reason. My sisters? They just hope their children’s parenthood is never called into question. Do you know how many women come to my bed, bemoaning the fact that their husbands are too old or difficult, or unable to satisfy? It’s a stifling union that is guaranteed to tarnish with time.”
    He shoved back his chair to get another drink. Spotting a laggardly lump in the corner, he called out, “Wilshire, how much time do you spend with your enchanting little wife, Elizabeth?”
    George raised