Free Unveiled by Colleen Quinn Page B

and fun. Best of all she made him laugh. In the face of a lifetime commitment, that became extremely important. The whole thought process took less than a few minutes and he nodded firmly.
    “Good. We won’t have enough income to allow you to court more than one woman in style, so it’s best if you are certain. There remains one other difficulty, however.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Whether you can make her want you. Don’t give me that look, my boy, I’m just assessing the financial practicalities of our endeavor. Fan may interest you. She has certainly more depth than other young women of your acquaintance and I’m aware that she presents a challenge. Everything has always come too easily to you. Here is a woman who doesn’t swoon at your feet, who sees you exactly for what you are and isn’t afraid to give back as good as she gets. What worries me is the possibility of failure.”
    “That won’t happen.” Christopher’s eyes darkened in annoyance, but Eunice noticed the way his foot tapped uneasily on the carriage floor. “Fan is more difficult than other women, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve already made her soften toward me—it’s only a matter of time before she surrenders.”
    “Ah,” Eunice said. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you throw away our one chance at success because you are behaving like a typical man. This fortress shall be conquered and I’m the one to do it!” Christopher sent her a sardonic look, which Eunice ignored. “We don’t have the time or the money to indulge you. Why don’t you try an easier woman? Like one of the Mitchells?”
    Christopher’s face tightened and he stared at his aunt pointedly. “I agreed to this plan, but not under the impression that you would choose my bride. I will, however, acknowledge your concerns. If I can’t convince Fan within the month to be my wife, then I will reconsider. Is that fair?”
    Eunice nodded. “Yes. Just remember to keep our objective in mind. You are marrying for money, Christopher. Not for your heart’s desire.”
    Christopher grimaced. There was truth in his aunt’s remarks. But Fan Pemberton promised much more than a monetary solution. And now he had less than a month to try.
    “A perfect woman, nobly planned, to warm, to comfort and command; and yet a spirit still and bright, with something of angelic light.”
    Katie burst into chuckles as she read the love note Christopher had given her. He stared at her in confusion as she smoothed the creamy paper and broke into renewed peals of laughter. “Whatever is so funny?”
    “I’m sorry.” Katie grinned, wiping her eyes. “I guess I’m just not used to being courted so…poetically.”
    She didn’t tell him she had never been courted at all, nor that the local brawling pub boys would hardly declare her angelic. And they both knew she was far from perfect. Still, the elegant note with its lacy borders was beautiful and the gesture touching.
    Christopher looked amused, but a little bewildered. “You don’t like it? I believe it’s Wordsworth. Love letters are expected, as part of the ritual.”
    Katie gulped, aware that she’d revealed her ignorance. Frantically she tried to recall what she knew of Fan’s past, and seized on that as a possible explanation.
    “I’m sorry, I guess it’s just I’ve been away so long and never properly courted. And given the nature of our relationship, it does seem odd.”
    That seemed to satisfy him, for he laughed in agreement. “Yes, we have come a long way from hiding my clothes.” Then his smile softened and he lightly touched her face. “But in this case, the poet is right. You do have spirit, though hardly the way he intended.”
    Katie grinned, then sat back to enjoy herself. Seated in the front row of the theater next to Bertrice and Charles, dressed in a cream lace gown of such exquisite beauty that she couldn’t help touching the spidery intricacy of the material, she still couldn’t believe she was