The Bride Insists Read Online Free Page B

wouldn’t be able to fulfill its requirements. Beyond that, an attractive young woman—which Miss Greenough was—possessing the funds to hire a superior companion would soon marry. Selina didn’t wish to be looking for work again in such a short time. “I don’t think I am suited…”
    Seeing her reluctance made Clare more certain of her choice. She decided to go a step further than she had with the other candidates, tell more of her story. “I have been employed as a governess for six years, almost since I left the schoolroom myself.” Clare smiled a little at the surprise in the other woman’s face. How often did a governess hire a companion? “And now I have suddenly come into a large amount of money. I want someone to help me as I settle the circumstances of my life as I wish them to be.”
    A mixture of envy and wistfulness ran through Selina. It was the dream of any dependent—to gain the power to control one’s own life. How very seldom it happened. “How… splendid for you.” She hadn’t meant the words to come out with that tinge of bitterness. She gathered her wits and set aside her emotions, as she knew so well how to do. “I must tell you that I am not well connected in society. And I know nothing about financial… arrangements. Surely you need a solicitor or…” She didn’t even know who was appropriate.
    Clare made up her mind. Selina Newton hadn’t changed her tone when she heard there was a fortune involved. There’d been no gleam of greed in her hazel eyes or bend of sycophancy in her straight back. Clare thought this woman could be a resource and support as she carried out her plans. She decided to tell her the rest. “The terms of the legacy make it imperative that I marry as soon as possible.” Imperative to her, at any rate. She would not remain under Simon’s thumb for a moment longer than necessary. Clare took a breath and said it out loud for the first time. “So I intend to purchase a husband.”
    â€œI beg your pardon?” She couldn’t have heard her correctly, Selina thought.
    â€œPeople call the London season a Marriage Mart. I shall make use of it. I have the money.” Or the promise of money. Clare twisted her hands together. Spoken so starkly, it did sound outrageous.
    Selina stared at her. With her pale hair and dowdy gown, the young woman didn’t look unbalanced. She’d sounded perfectly reasonable until now. “My dear Miss Greenough, that is only an expression people use—”
    â€œAnd expressions commonly arise from some real basis.”
    â€œBut—” Selina couldn’t find any polite phrase to voice her true opinion.
    â€œI want someone to aid me in this, I admit rather odd, endeavor. Obviously, I will have to make very careful judgments. From what I have seen of you, I believe you would give me good advice. So I hope you will consent to be that aid.”
    Selina felt pinned by the young woman’s striking green eyes. Why had she not noticed till now how they practically coruscated with energy? Used to doddering old women, Selina found the intensity of Miss Greenough’s wrongheaded determination unsettling. She shook her head.
    Clare spoke again before she could refuse. “I will undertake, in writing, to buy you an annuity of two hundred pounds a year, to begin as soon as I am married as I wish to be.”
    Selina’s mouth dropped open. A guaranteed, lifetime income of two hundred a year! It was more than twice what she’d made at any post, and she knew very well how to stretch such an amount to cover a secure and comfortable life. It was a dream come true. It was a fantasy. “Is this some sort of joke? Did Mrs. Hicks…?” But the staid head of her own highly respected agency was the last person on earth to participate in a hoax.
    â€œAbsolutely not. I will sign a contract, drawn up by