The Reluctant Bride (Regency Undone) Read Free

are you talking about?’  Sophia had demanded, bewildered. ‘How can that be?’
    ‘I have tried to keep it from you for many years my dear and it has not been easy, but ... I am afraid your father has a particular fondness for ... for gambling. It really is too distressing ... and I thought ... but there it is ... there is nothing can be done.  We are in dun territory and I am afraid there is only one solution.  And I know it will come as a shock to you ... but really it is the most marvellous piece of good fortune ... and he is but seven years older than you ... ’
    Sophia’s heart had plummeted in alarm.  ‘Mama!  What are you talking about?  You are worrying me to be sure ...’
    Her mother sighed heavily.  ‘We have received a letter from the Earl of Avalon, requesting your hand in marriage.  He has already met with your father at the Club in London and they have agreed terms which are really most generous. I know you will not like it my love, but there is no one else we know who has a fortune to match his ... and now that we are ruined I fear we really have no choice in the matter ...’
    ‘Mama!’  Sophia had jumped up from her seat in agitation but her mother had quickly forestalled the interruption.
    ‘Now Sophia, do not take a pet, I beg of you.  I am sorry but there is no other answer.  Lord Avalon has agreed that in return for your hand, not only will he happily forego any dowry - as if we could afford one now anyway - but he has also undertaken to pay off all your father’s debts and provide us with an income for life.  It really is too generous my love ... far better than the offer put forward by Lord Iverho who wanted to take up residence here with you and displace your father and I to some remote country house on one of his estates in Wales !  I do declare I am so vexed with your Papa ... but how fortunate that Lord Avalon should be so heavily taken with you ...’
    ‘ But he has never met meapart from a few occasions when we were children.  Mama , I cannot believe you have done this without even consulting me.  It would appear you have been conducting my proposed marriage like some cattle auction, selling me to the highest bidder!  And what about Edward ?  You know he and I have an unspoken agreement that one day …’
    ‘A mere childish tryst that carries no weight,’ her mother had dismissed firmly.  ‘His fortune is nothing compared to the Earl of Avalon’s and Edward would never have proposed to you once the details of your father’s indiscretions became public knowledge.  No ... far better for us all that you become the future Lady Avalon.  That way, your father and I can stay in this house and once we have passed on, it will revert to you and your husband and add to the impressive estate you will already own.  It is really the most fortunate of solutions my dear - far better than we could ever have hoped for in the circumstances.’
     ‘But you always promised you would not force me into a marriage I did not desire.  And you know how unhappy Isabelle is in exactly those circumstances.  How can you wish the same for me?’
    ‘Now Sophia, you cannot in any way compare The Earl of Avalon to that dissolute wretch of a man – thirty years her senior – that your poor friend Isi was married off to.  His Lordship is not of the same ilk, I am persuaded.  And just think of the advantages my love.  As well as Avalon Hall you will be mistress of two other houses, one in London and the other in Bath.  Oh you will have such fun .  I really am quite envious.  We could not have wanted a better match for you.’ 
    ‘Mama ... you know the Earl’s reputation as well as I.  He is a ... a profligate and a womaniser ... who has been content to leave the running of his estate to that dreadful rogue Browning while he runs around London having a gay time.  I will not be married to such a man.  And you can’t force me!’
    Her mother’s face had taken on an unusually