Yuletide Treasure Read Free Page B

Promised to … ?”
    â€œLord Farrington, this has gone far enough,” the vicar broke in. “I’ll save you time and trouble. The answer is no.”
    Eric cocked a brow. “No? Meaning your granddaughter is not spoken for?”
    â€œNo. Meaning she is not going to become your wife.”
    Brigitte gasped. “Wife? May I know what you two are talking about?”
    â€œIndeed you may.” Eric silenced the vicar’s protests with an authoritative sweep of his arm. “Enough. Your granddaughter is a woman grown. Let her speak for herself.” With that, he returned his attention to Brigitte. “Miss Curran, I’ll be blunt. I’ve just made your grandfather abusiness proposition, one that would benefit both the church and the entire parish—and one he seems reluctant to accept.”
    â€œWhat was this proposition, my lord?”
    â€œI offered him ten thousand pounds in exchange for finding me a suitable governess for my niece, Noelle. Further, since the chosen candidate would be expected to reside at Farrington—which is deserted save Noelle and myself—I agreed, for propriety’s sake, to make the appropriate young woman my wife. This would render her the Countess of Farrington, complete with mansion, title—albeit a tarnished one—and more wealth than she ever dreamed possible.
    â€œIn return, she would be expected to shoulder the difficult and distasteful job of overseeing Noelle, who, as you’ve just witnessed firsthand, is an uncontrollable demon. Since gossip travels quickly, I’m sure you know that Noelle’s been taken in by every respectable family in the parish and, just as quickly, turned out. As of today, the supply of decent families has been exhausted. Hence, my need for a drastic and immediate solution. Frankly, I’ve never seen anyone manage Noelle as well as you just did. You mentioned having experience teaching children. Being the vicar’s granddaughter, I’m certain your character is above reproach. Tallying all those factors together, I’m prepared to offer you the position I’ve just described. Would you be interested?”
    Brigitte’s eyes had grown wider and wider with each passing word. “You’d give ten thousand pounds to the parish and take on a wife you don’t know or want just to provide care for Noelle?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œWhy not care for her yourself?”
    Eric’s jaw clenched. “That, Miss Curran, is my concern, not yours.”
    â€œWhat about your own life, then? What if, in the years to come, you find someone you truly love? You’d never be able to give her your name, having already bestowed it upon your governess.”
    A crack of mocking laughter. “You need not worry onthat score. With the exception of today, I never intend to leave Farrington or to rejoin society. Therefore, I shan’t have the opportunity to meet this alleged keeper of my heart. Your answer, please?”
    She blanched. “My answer—now?”
    â€œCertainly, now. I don’t see a need to procrastinate, nor to explore absurd, farfetched ramifications.” A sudden possibility made him scowl. “You don’t harbor any romantic illusions of marrying for love, do you? Is that why you posed that ludicrous question about my awaiting the perfect bride?”
    Brigitte’s lashes drifted to her cheeks. “I harbor no such illusions, my lord. In truth, I thought never to marry.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    Her lashes lifted, but shutters descended in their wake. “To echo your sentiments, that is my concern, not yours.”
    He felt a spark of admiration at her audacious response. “As you wish. Very well, then, let’s circumvent your reasons and get to your decision. Are you or are you not willing to forgo your expectations to remain unwed, and to accept my terms? Simply answer yes or no.”
    â€œLord Farrington,