The Husband List -2 Read Online Free

improve your estates. Impressive dowries for your sisters. The Earl of Shelbrooke will once again take his proper place in society.”
    Richard stared at the brandy in his glass. There was so much more to it than that. “To what end?”
    “What do you mean?”
    His gaze caught hers. “Why do you think a man wishes to restore his property? Regain his good name?”
    Confusion shone in her eyes. “Why, I—”
    “He does it so that he has more to pass on to his children, to his heirs, than bad debts and a tarnished reputation. Under the terms of this marriage, there will be no children.” He shook his head and went on.
    “I had always planned on marrying some day. I have simply not had the time nor the means to devote to the search for a suitable wife. If I agree to this proposal, you are purchasing not merely a husband but a life and a future. My life and my future.” He drained the last of the brandy and set the glass on the table with a deliberate motion. “Under such constraints, I must respectfully decline your offer.”
    He nodded, turned, and started toward the door.
    “Wait.” Desperation sounded in her voice, and he paused. “You must understand. I loved my husband dearly. I have always vowed I would not marry again without love.”
    He waited in silence.
    “But I don’t have time to fall in love. I don’t know if I could. I don’t know if I want to.”
    “I can’t agree to the kind of marriage you want, Gillian.”
    “I know many people marry for reasons other than love and,” her voice faltered, “have children and are happy together. Perhaps, if you would agree to an engagement, for the next two months...”
    “And then?”
    “And then ... as we get to know one another... possibly affection...”
    He turned and considered her carefully. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one with deep, dark secrets. “Why are you so determined to claim this inheritance?”
    “Why?” Caution edged her voice.
    “You’re the daughter of a duke. An Effington— one of the wealthiest families in the country. Why would a woman in your position be willing to even consider sharing the bed of a virtual stranger for the rest of her days?”
    She hesitated for a moment, then her chin jerked up defiantly. “It’s a great deal of money.”
    “Not for an Effington.”
    “Even for an Effington.” She stared for a moment, then sighed in annoyance. “Goodness, my lord, you do ask a lot of questions.”
    “You’ve said that before.”
    “And I’ll say it again,” she snapped. “Very well.” She picked up the decanter, refilled his glass, took a healthy sip, then held it out to him. He shook his head. She shrugged, took another drink, and set the snifter down.
    “We are all born with certain expectations, our lots in life as it were. My brother was born to be the next Duke of Roxborough. It’s his fate and his duty and what he’s been trained for all his life. As a woman, my duty was to make a good match. And I did.” She crossed her arms over her chest and met his gaze directly. “Only my husband decided his duty was to his king and his country. He was killed in Spain.”
    “I am sorry.”
    “So am I,” she said simply. “It was not as life was supposed to be.” A pensive look flashed in her eyes, then vanished. “He had not yet inherited his title. I was left with nothing. My family gives me a substantial allowance, but I would prefer to be independent. No.” Her jaw clenched, and determination shone in her eye. “I long to be independent. I cannot abide the idea that I am, to be blunt, a poor relation. I cannot stand the fact of my own helplessness.”
    She swiveled and paced the width of the room. “Do you have any notion what it’s like to realize you’ve done all that was expected of you in life but life has not turned out at all as expected?”
    “I have a vague idea,” he murmured.
    “And to further realize that, regardless of your finances, because you’re a women, you have no true