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eager vultures will be circling in wait…so I had to make a hard decision that I fear, you as a young girl, will not understand. I only hope that in time you see the logic in my decision and forgive me. Lord Harmon came here today because he has agreed to marry you. He plans to announce the engagement next Saturday. We have agreed for the wedding to take place in four Sundays. That’s why we must go.”
    Karina, stood there stunned, her teary face stared at him in disbelief.
    “Father I cannot marry that man!”
    “The decision has been made! You will be Lord Harmon’s wife!”
    “No father, I will not marry him!”
    “YOU WILL!” Charles lost his temper and slammed his fist down on the desk. Karina began sobbing uncontrollably as she knelt at her fathers’ feet sitting in his chair. “I told you we are nearly bankrupt! Gunther is a successful business man who knows the shipping business well, he will provide for you and save you from ruin. He’s our only hope.”
    Karina sobbed quietly for a moment then said,
    “God please let me wake from this nightmare….father I don’t want to lose you or go against you but please don’t make me marry a man I don’t love or will ever love. There has to be some other way.”
    Charles expected this kind of reaction from her and had to be firm and resist any tears that might weaken his resolution he needed to be away from her so he stood up with some effort.
    “I’m sorry Karina, but there is no other way I’m an old man whose life will soon be over but you have a future.”
    “A future with a man I don’t love? Father how can you do this to me?” Karina nearly shouted.
    “I will not have my only daughter living on the street at the pray of criminals. Gunther is the richest and most successful shipper I know. He can keep us from losing everything. You are young and he is old! You will outlive him soon and then u will have your freedom but as a woman of title, wealth and power!” Charles started moving away from her. “Without this arrangement you will not only condemn yourself to a life of misery and poverty but also that of Lynnette’s, her mother, brothers as well as the rest of the staff. Some of them are too old to be re-employed. Are you so selfish that you would allow this to happen?”
    In tears, Karina knelt as father turned away from her wanting to put distance between them. In truth she had not thought how this would affect Lynnette and the others whose lives depended on their employment at Pembroke Hall. Karina’s lower lip pulsed in anguish; slowly she rose to her feet looking for a sign of sympathy from her father but didn’t find one.
    Charles also felt troubled and needed to hide from his daughter. He rang for Nate his long time butler and caregiver.
    “Nate, if you can please escort me to my room I’m not up to the challenge of climbing those dreaded stairs on my own.”
    “Yes sir.”
    With a heavy heart he walked passed Karina aided by Nate and his walking stick. Karina followed her father out of the study sobbing behind him, her hand shielding her eyes, then stood and watched her father and Nate climb the stairs to his room hoping for a change of heart. Once in his room Charles collapsed into his bedside chair, with his breathing labored from the climb up the stairs. Nate prepared his bed. Charles told him he preferred to sit a while and requested some hot tea. Karina went to her room wanting to be alone.

CHAPTER 5
Sunset Encounter
     
    Upon hearing Lord Pembroke ring for Nate, Lynnette bolted from the door to the study it was now half hour past sunset and she went to meet Peter as agreed who was probably already waiting for her. She was upset for Karina but excited to meet with Peter, she told herself she would only allow a short conversation with him.
    Lynnette went to tell her mother Karina was not well and would be spending time with her in her quarters then she put her black hood on and left to meet Peter by the trees behind the