The Husband List -2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

own brother. Their mutual relief brought her the first real smile she’d had all day.
    “It’s going to be difficult enough as it is without having one of you directly involved. Besides, how could I possibly choose between you?”
    Robin stepped forward earnestly. “We would do it though, Gillian. If that’s what you wanted. Either of us.”
    “Not me. I would have regained my senses far short of the altar.” Kit shook his head. “I love you Gillian, and I always will, but not even for you would I voluntarily—”
    “Kit, before I’m forced to blush at the flattering nature of your comment, do be still,” she said dryly.
    “See.” He nodded at Robin. “And that’s exactly why I wouldn’t. It’s bad enough being around her now. It’s like having an overbearing sister always telling you to straighten your cravat or mind your table manners or dance with horse-faced females no one else will go near. At least I can still escape to my own home.”
    Robin frowned. “You don’t have a sister.”
    “I don’t need one. I have Gillian.”
    “Well, we won’t have her for much longer if she goes through with this ridiculous scheme.” Robin’s eyes narrowed. “Shelbrooke does not seem the type of man to allow his wife to continue to go her merry way in the company of two unmarried men regardless of how long they have been friends.”
    “Nonsense, Robin,” Gillian said with a conviction she didn’t quite believe. “My marriage will not change our relationship one bit.”
    “We shall see,” Robin said thoughtfully. “I don’t know him personally, only by reputation, and I suppose he may well be a decent sort. He definitely isn’t the same bounder his father was. Or, for that matter, he once was.”
    “His coats are always shabby,” Kit said as if this alone was a sin too great to forgive.
    She’d noticed, of course. Everything about his appearance was not quite up to snuff. In many ways, she thought it spoke well of the man. He obviously wasn’t squandering what little funding he had on himself.
    Robin shook his head. “It’s obvious why Shelbrooke would agree to this marriage—”
    “He hasn’t actually agreed,” she said quickly. “At least not yet.”
    “I’m sure he will,” Kit said darkly.
    “Nonetheless”—Robin glared at Kit, and the other man shrugged—“what I still don’t understand is why you’re willing to go to such lengths to acquire this inheritance.”
    “It’s a great deal of money,” she said defensively, knowing full well the reason sounded little better today than it had last night.
    Robin and Kit stared expectantly, and she wanted nothing more than to punch them both the way she had on occasion when they were children.
    “You two, of all people, should understand. And I must say I’m disappointed.” She balled her hands into fists and willed a note of calm to her voice. She wasn’t ready to tell either of her old friends that her plans went beyond simple independence. Especially since those plans were still little more than the vague, and probably foolish, idea of repaying a debt. “You would never question the desire of a man to achieve financial independence. Why do you question mine?”
    “Because we know you,” Kit said pointedly. “Because you’ve never hesitated to give your opinion of those who marry only for money or titles or to further their positions in the world.”
    “You married Charles because you loved him,” Robin said. “You’ve always said you’d only marry again for love.”
    “Circumstances have forced me to reconsider my position.”
    “I can’t believe your family approves of this.” Robin studied her carefully. “What does your brother think of this outrageous condition to your inheritance?”
    “He doesn’t know. No one in my family knows, and they will not be told.” She pinned Robin with an unyielding look. “You will not mention this to anyone.” She turned to Kit. “Neither will you. If Shelbrooke and I can