Annabelle's Courtship Read Online Free PDF Page A

can’t be expected to concern myself with petty things like tradesmen’s bills. What do you think I pay you for?” Marks cleared his throat. “I cannot pay your bills when there are no funds in your accounts. I am afraid that things have come to a dangerous pass.” It was just a matter of a few tailors’ bills after all. “What’s dangerous about a few outstanding accounts?”
    “There are many more than a few and your tradesmen are threatening to sue. You do realize what that means, don’t you?”
    William glared at Marks. “Of course I know what that means. I would be humiliated in front of all the polite world.”
    Marks gave a humorless chuckle. “That would be the least of your troubles. If the court finds in their favor, and I cannot see them doing otherwise, you would be facing debtor’s prison until your debts could be satisfied.”

    Debtor’s prison? Marks must be mad. William could not be thrown in prison. He was too important.
    “I’m afraid the time has come for drastic measures.”
    “What measures? You told me there was nothing else I could sell. Are you saying you have found a way to bypass my father’s will and sell a parcel of land?” William demanded.
    The other man sifted through the papers on his desk. “No. The land is held in perpetuity for the heir. I was thinking about your horses.” William leapt from his chair. “There is a hunt in Sussex in six weeks time. You cannot expect me to sell my prime horseflesh with something so important in the offing.
    It’s impossible.”
    “Perhaps, if you had paid more of your tradesmen’s debts and less gaming debts—” He didn’t let Marks finish. “A gentleman pays his gaming debts. There must be an alternative to selling my hunters.”
    Marks passed a hand across his eyes. “You could always marry an heiress.” William stared at the solicitor. Marry again? It had been a relief when he had finally been rid of his first wife. She had nagged him constantly about his gaming and horses.
    The silly woman had not understood what was important. Just the thought of getting leg-shackled again made him shudder.
    “I suppose I can retire to my estate briefly like you have suggested time and again.” Come to think of it, Marks was a great deal like his dead wife. They both nagged a man.
    “I’m afraid it’s past time where that might help. If we act quickly, before the ton learns of your financial ills, we can still get a top price for your horses.” Sell his horses? It was not to be born. William turned and walked toward the door of the office. There must be another way. “I’ll contact you later.” He stumbled out the door and almost bumped into Marks’ clerk.
    “I couldn’t help overhearing your discussion, governor.” Something in the clerk’s voice made him glance up. There was an unmistakable look of avarice on the other man’s face. The door had appeared closed, but William did not quibble. He recognized opportunity when it came knocking.
    “Oh?”
    “Aye. Spinks is me name. Perhaps you and me could take a little walk.”
    William drew himself up and spoke with a haughtiness he knew impressed the lower classes. “Why would I do that?”
    “You’re looking for an heiress, I heard.”
    His interest was pricked, but it didn’t do well to appear too eager. He had learned that buying and selling horseflesh. “I might be.”
    “Come now. You’re in dun territory and you need a fat goose to get you out.” Flicking a nonexistent piece of lint from his sleeve, William looked down at the clerk. “I assume this conversation has a purpose?”
    “Aye, it has a purpose all right. I like me position, see? I see lots of interesting things. For instance, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I found a certain statement of a lady’s groat sticking out of a file.” More likely the man had done a search when Marks was not in the office. “Whose assets might those be?”
    “Well, now, governor, I wouldn’t want to