Free The Earl's Secret Bargain by Ruth Ann Nordin Page B

before speaking. Good manners are important for a countess.”
    “That is true,” Lord Pennella said and smiled at her. “ It’s always good when a lady is thoughtful in her conduct.”
    Regina forced a smile in return. As much as she wanted to find Toby, she couldn’t very well slip off down the hallway right now. At the moment, she was trapped, but at least they didn’t seem upset she’d been caught listening to them.
    “May I have the next dance?” Lord Pennella asked, already extending his arm toward her as if she’d already said yes.
    “That’s a splendid idea,” her mother said for her. “And while you do that, I’ll find her father and talk to him.”
    Regina’s stomach tensed as her mother hurried across the room.
    “Miss Giles?”
    She turned her gaze back to him and saw he was watching her expectantly. After she closed her fan, she accepted his arm and let him lead her to the floor. The music started in short time, and she scanned the room, wondering if Toby had returned yet. Whatever could be keeping him?
    “I take it you heard me talking to your mother about marriage,” Lord Pennella spoke up.
    She swallowed, uncertain of how to answer him.
    “ There’s no need to be embarrassed, Miss Giles. I fully intend to tell your father my intentions. I’d consider myself a fortunate gentleman to have you as my countess.”
    “Oh.” She couldn’t think of a single positive thing to say to that . He was being surprisingly forthcoming in his speech.
    “There’s no need to be he sitant with me. If we are to be married, we can speak freely to one another.”
    She scanne d the room again. Still no sign of Toby. Taking a deep breath, she said, “There are other ladies who would suit you much better.” There. That was a good start. Maybe if she could dissuade him, he’d change his mind.
    “If there are , I’m not aware of them,” he replied with that charming smile of his.
    “There are many. Prettier ones. More likeable ones. Ones who would provide you with a healthy heir.”
    He chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d assume you had your mind set on someone else.”
    “Oh.” Was she that obvious? Did he know abo ut Toby? He had been talking to her mother for a while before she walked up behind them. Maybe her mother told him everything.
    “Some gentlemen pretend to be interested in young ladies, but that’s because a lot of them don’t have any money and are hoping to marry for financial gain. I’m not one of them, of course. I have more than enough. My feelings for you are genuine. But I do worry that you might have mistaken Lord Davenport’s attention for sincere fondness. He doesn’t have any money, and it’s no secret your family is one of the wealthier ones.”
    It took a moment for his me aning to dawn on her, and when it did, she only grew to detest him that much more. Did he really think it was appropriate to badmouth another gentleman? Even if Toby didn’t have any money to his name, she still wanted to be with him. If it was true and Toby didn’t tell her, it was probably because he was ashamed.
    But her father had more than enough to make up for whatever Toby lacked. The important thing was that he loved her. Money could buy many things but love and a happy marriage weren’t two of them.
    “I know it’s an unpleasant shock,” Lord P ennella finally said as the music came to an end. “And I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you, but I wanted to make sure you weren’t taken in by someone who doesn’t really care about you.”
    Refusing to meet his gaze, she curtsied then turned away. Once again, she searched for Toby but didn’t find him anywhere. Well, maybe it was just as well she had to talk to him in one of the other rooms. If they could have a private conversation, they could get this straightened out, and she could tell him to let her father know his intentions before her father got attached to Lord Pennella. With a glance around to make sure no one was