Free The Counterfeit Betrothal by April Kihlstrom

daughters’ hearts.”
    “Has he really such a horrid reputation?” Emmaline asked shyly. “I hoped the reports we had back home were exaggerated.”
    “Not a bit of it!” Mrs. Hastings answered tartly. “My dear, I do not believe that anyone should enter marriage blindly, and I think it very wrong of your father to allow you such missish dreams about Jeremy. Particularly as even at Selborne you must have heard of his escapades.”
    Mrs. Hastings paused and her expression softened as she went on, “My dear Miss Delwyn, I do not wish you to think Jeremy a bad bargain. Yes, I wish you to know his reputation, but I also wish you to know that I have often thought Jeremy driven by a devil that love would banish. I have known him to be generous and kind and thoughtful. More so than most young men his age. But never when there is anyone else about to see, if he can help it. It is almost as though he cherishes his reputation as an incorrigible fellow.”
    “I see,” Emmaline said quietly. “No doubt you will find it strange, but I know very little of my fiancé even though Jeremy and I have known one another since I was a small child. These past few years, you see, my father has been ill and his father forbade him to visit us so long ... so long as he could not give a good account of himself. And now our betrothal seems very sudden to me.”
    Mrs. Hastings nodded wisely. “That’s often the way of it.” She paused and said shrewdly, “Having regrets, my dear?”
    Emmaline straightened her shoulders even though she was unable to meet her hostess’s eyes. “You would be a fool not to,” Mrs. Hastings said bluntly. “Not one member of the ton would blame you if you broke off this betrothal, though I grant you the gossip would be some time in dying away.” Still Emmaline did not reply. As though she understood perfectly, Mrs. Hastings patted Emmaline’s hands. “Never mind. Time will tell. Who knows, you may be the one to tame the boy. Now come and tell me about your father. How is his health?”
    It required all of Emmaline’s strength to be able to reply quietly, “The doctor tells me it is a matter of months before my father dies. Perhaps you will think I should be at his side; that is my own opinion. But he begged me to come to London, and as the doctor said any upset might be fatal I could not argue. There is a neighbor, Mrs. Colton, who has known our family for years. She will look in upon my father every day and both she and the doctor have promised to send word at once should he take a turn for the worse.”
    “Sensibly said, my dear,” Mrs. Hastings told Emmaline approvingly. “No doubt the knowledge his daughter is happily betrothed and enjoying herself in London will serve as a tonic to your father.” She paused, then added shrewdly, “And should you have second thoughts, well, you are too far away for your father to read them on your, face. He will die happy. But enough of that. It is plain to me that I am distressing you. Come upstairs and see the charming room I have had prepared for you! It was used to belong to my daughter but she is married and now I keep it for my most charming young guests. My dear, I am so looking forward to spoiling you!”
    Had he been able to overhear Mrs. Hastings, Jeremy Barnett would not have been displeased. If that lady chose to favor Emmaline with her approval, she would have the entree everywhere—for there were few people who would have the courage not to invite Mrs. Hastings and her protégé to their parties. She was lively and amusing, and if her tongue was occasionally a trifle sharp, one credited that to judgment and not malice. Moreover, not the harshest critic could have faulted the attractiveness of the lady. And as her husband, Mr. Hastings, was also a general favorite, invitations of all sorts always crowded the mantelpiece in their home. Mr. Hastings greatly preferred his clubs and other male pursuits to ton parties, but no one held it against Mrs .