To Wed an Heiress Read Online Free PDF Page B

pounding a fat-fingered fist upon the table. “And for all my prosperity, a title like that is something I can never hope to have.” He gave his guest a sly look. “And yet it is something that my grandchildren might aspire to.”
    By dint of sheer willpower, Haro managed to preserve an expression of equanimity. “Now that my father is gone, I have thought long and hard about abandoning the bachelor life and setting up my own establishment and household. You have a beautiful and intelligent daughter, Mr. Hastings—”
    “So gratified that my lord should have noticed!”
    “At first glance, it seems that she and I would suit each other quite well. I would like to request permission to call upon your daughter and become further acquainted with her.”
    “Ha!” shouted Hastings, reaching for the decanter to refill his glass. “Is there time to come calling when the wolf is at the door? The horse is already out of the gate, Anglesford! Either you place your bet now or not at all. Come, what is it to be?”
    The young earl had been overcome with amazement at his host’s gaucherie more than once this evening, but this last suggestion surpassed any other words that had been uttered at the table. Was Mr. Hastings actually suggesting he should propose marriage to his daughter that very night?
    “You are very welcoming, and for that I thank you. But you know next to nothing about me. I would expect that you would wish to sound out my character a little before giving me permission to address your daughter.”
    “What is there to sound out?” replied Mr. Hastings dismissively. “You’re not engaged already , I take it?”
    Haro blushed. If circumstances had not intervened, he had intended to be so by the end of the season. “No, I am not.”
    “That’s all right then,” said his host. “Prior engagements can be shuffled under the table, but they do have the ability to make a nuisance of themselves sometimes. It may not surprise you to learn that I’ve already made inquiries about you, my lord. And everything I’ve learned has proved satisfactory. I think you’re just the man for me—or for my daughter, I mean to say.”
    “I appreciate your goodwill in the matter, but I’m sure it will take me some time to get the lady’s goodwill.”
    “Stuff and nonsense! I daresay she’s waiting for your declaration in the drawing room, twiddling her thumbs on the sofa while we keep her waiting.”
    Hastings pushed back his chair and rose from the table. Haro followed suit and followed his host to the door of the dining room. In that awful moment his fate had been decided for him. He was about to propose marriage to Miss Arabella Hastings. The tradesman angling for an earl had caught one at last.
    ***
    The full gravity of the situation fell over Haro’s shoulders like a cloak of lead as his host ushered him down the hallway and through the French doors of the decorated drawing room. Once a gentleman contracted an engagement and it entered the banns, it was extremely uncouth of him to beg off. In fact, if he dared to do so, the young lady’s family could sue him for breach of promise—and probably win. But William Hastings had made it impossible for him to involve his family, impossible for him to consult his solicitor, and impossible for him to delay.
    As her father had prophesied, Miss Hastings was seated demurely on the sofa, stitching a sampler with her chin elevated becomingly. Haro wondered if needlework was one of the young lady’s favorite pastimes, or if it was all for show—another ruse to convince the earl of Arabella’s superior qualities. William Hastings waved conspiratorially to his daughter then made a great show of shutting the drawing room doors, leaving the couple alone in awkward silence.
    “I’ve just had a very remarkable conversation with your father,” began Haro, trying to keep the tone of misery out of his voice.
    “Oh yes?” said Arabella opening her eyes widely with an air of