The Wedding Wager Read Online Free PDF Page A

change the rules.”
    “Why would I want to do that?” she said, lifting her chin a little.
    “If I tell my uncles I’ve offered for you, I think they might be persuaded to allow me a hand in managing the estate.”
    The thought of Julian’s uncles and his estate steadied her. “I see that that could be a good thing,” she replied. “But won’t they be disappointed when we don’t marry?”
    He let out an exasperated sigh. “We will marry. In any case, I don’t intend to lie to them. I’ll just tell them I plan to marry you, which is nothing more than the truth. I know it’s not enough to convince them to end the trust, but for now all I want is to be allowed to make some changes in how things are being run.”
    Harry struggled to resist the appeal in his eyes. Julian was acting impetuously, and if she didn’t stop him, it would hurt them both.
    “I don’t see why you must be in such a great hurry,” she protested.
    “There are so many things that need doing here. I may not know as much as I should about farming, but even I can tell we’re years behind. There are some improvements I’d like to make this season, not next. And some of the laborers’ cottages are desperately in need of repair. I don’t want them to have to wait any longer. Please, Harry, will you help me?”
    Harry looked down, troubled. What Julian said was true. The Ardleigh estate could not be said to be rundown, but still it would benefit from more vigorous and far-sighted management. Harry knew that beneath his gaiety, Julian cared for his land, and for the tenants and laborers who worked it. In time he’d make a splendid landlord. It was a crying shame that his uncles didn’t recognize that fact, and that they were practically forcing him into an impetuous marriage in order to earn their approval.
    Then it occurred to her that she might be able to help Julian without actually committing to marry him. As he’d suggested, he could just tell his uncles he’d offered for her. They would never suspect she’d refused him. Perhaps it was the tiniest bit deceitful to let them think that, but it would be worth it, for Julian’s sake.
    After a decent interval, she could cry off from the pretended arrangement. Hopefully by that time, Julian’s uncles would be convinced of his competence to take over the estate. Julian would get what he wanted, and have something more meaningful to do with his life than merely racketing about London. He wouldn’t have to rush into a doomed marriage with her or anyone else, before he was truly ready to settle down.
    Of course, he wouldn’t want to marry her then. Firmly, Harry told herself that it would be a great relief not to have him plaguing her to do so any more.
    She took a deep breath. “Very well,” she said. “You can tell your uncles you have offered for me, but you must swear them to secrecy. If they ask, tell them you know I would hate all the fuss and attention an engagement would bring. I’m known to be a recluse, so they shouldn’t be surprised.”
    Smiling, Julian hooked an arm around her waist, and swung her around in a broad circle. “Thank you! I knew you would help me.”
    “Set me down!” she insisted, and after one more circles, he did so.
    Harry felt quite breathless and dizzy, no doubt from the spinning. She looked around. Fortunately, there was no one about.
    “What if someone had seen us?” she scolded, when she had caught her breath.
    “They would realize we are a courting couple,” he replied.
    She looked away, to hide the blush that had sprung back into her cheeks, and reminded herself of the motives behind Julian’s behavior.
    He didn’t desire her, despite his apparent eagerness. For the first time, Harry found herself shaken by a real fear that he might win the wager. At the same time, a tiny voice inside her suggested she wished it, too. If Julian proved faithful for three months, didn’t that mean something?
    The internal voice of reason intervened,