An Agreeable Arrangement Read Online Free

behavior in his brother.
The squire leaned back in his chair, giving Edward
his undivided attention.
    “I just met my bride-to-be upstairs. I believe my
luck has continued to hold. Not only does her dowry
promise to be sizable, but she is a beauty as well.”
    “What do you know of her dowry?” Julian said
nothing more to his brother than what he’d needed to
know.
    Edward seated himself on the sofa and unceremoniously propped his feet up on the expensive table.
“Perhaps I will hire my own man.”
    Edward sighed in exasperation and turned to Julian.
“My dear brother, you know as well as I do that Cass
is the only daughter of the Earl of Thaddbury. It’s no
secret, Lord Thadburry was a wealthy man”
    “That is true,” Julian agreed.
    “And although his title and holding have gone to his
heir, I do not believe he would have left his beloved daughter without a feather to fly with.” Edward sipped
his coffee and took a moment to savor the flavor. “I
may not have the financial sense that you possess,
dear brother. However I am not so blind that I cannot
work that much out for myself. I’ll tell you what else I
suspect” He sat forward to address his elder sibling.
“I know our father was at one time very good friends
with the earl. For as long as I can recall it was understood our fathers had arranged for a marriage between
our families.”

    Julian knew his brother had the facts correct but
wasn’t about to confirm or deny any of the details.
    “Father had already seen to your marriage-it had
been arranged before I’d been born, I believe. The fact
that it didn’t last long is no fault of yours. She’d always been a sickly girl.” Edward’s unpleasant expression subsided. “However, when it comes to Cass and
me, neither of our fathers are around now but”-he
motioned to Julian-“that’s where you come in. You’ll
see to it that everyone is all right and tight, doing the
proper thing. I wager that Cass’ father was so adamant
that she and I should marry, if she refuses to go
through with it, she’ll inherit nothing”
    The squire would allow Edward his speculation
about the details surrounding his upcoming nuptials.
“And what may I ask do you hope to gain by this?” Julian had half-expected his brother to be unwilling to
take the marital step.
    “I don’t need to be threatened by financial ruin. I have you to bully me into marriage.” Edward stood,
walked toward Julian, and laughed. “However, I’d
imagine there would be an increase in my quarterly
allowance and a decrease in my workload”

    “Less work you say?” Julian raised his eyebrows.
    “It’s not what I would wish for, mind. But I do think
it’s about time I settle down and think about filling the
nursery. My providing an heir will take the pressure
off you to remarry.”
    “We need not concern ourselves with providing an
heir. We have no titles to pass on”
    Edward set his hands on the desk and leaned in toward his brother. “But we have land and money I’m
sure you’d like to see kept in the family.”
    Julian removed his spectacles, laying them to rest
on his papers. “I suppose I should find a capable agent
to fill your shoes. But you shouldn’t allow that to concern you.”
    “It’s the family business, of course it concerns
me” Edward returned to his chair and once again
propped his feet on the table. “Cass and I shall move
to her beloved Hedgeway Park after we’re wed. After
we’re settled and start our family, I can resume my
activities.”
    “Lady Cassandra may still feel reluctant about the
marriage, even with all you believe she stands to lose.”
Julian touched his recently assaulted cheek, recalling
her objection.
    Edward’s smile faded. His boots made a resounding thud from their resting position as he stood. “Why?
Am I so horrible that she would not have me?” Edward splayed a hand upon his chest, offended by the
mere suggestion.

    “Do not