A Christmas Proposal by Karen Hall

Author:Karen Hall [Hall, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Published: 2010-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Miss Barnwell, I don’t understand. Why shouldn’t you be able to marry for love?”

She lifted her gaze from the tablecloth and he saw her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “Lord Brandon-”

“Brandon,” he corrected gently. “My friends call me Brandon. “

Her color deepened to a rosy hue, but she smiled at him. “Brandon, then. Look at me. I have wildly red hair, a face full of freckles, am outspoken to the last degree, and I’m plump. I am hardly the kind of woman to inspire love or passion in a man. At least-” her voice trembled again, “that’s what I’ve overheard on more than one occasion. They call me Freckles.”

Plump? Trying not to stare, Brandon let his gaze travel over her. Miss Barnwell’s figure was luscious. She held curves in all the places a woman should have them. True, she did not resemble the dainty, porcelain girls filling London ballrooms each Season, but, Brandon had never wanted to hold porcelain in his arms. Too damn cold for one thing. And he had a particular fondness for freckles.

“So you see it’s the size of my dowry that attracts the suitors,” she said with an air of finality. “Lots of zeros can inspire mock passion in a man. I know, for I’ve met a great many of them. But if scandal forces me off the marriage market, then the next time a man wants to court me, I will know it will be because he truly cares for me.”

Still amazed by her suggestion, Brandon asked, “And you would really do this? To insure a man’s honest intent to court you?”

“I’ve no other way. Will you help me? Please?’

Brandon picked up his cup again, stalling for time. Her suggestion was wild, mad, and bordering on insanity.

And itIt just might work.

She would get the freedom to discern a man’s honest courtship, and he would have a financial backer. All for just spending time with her and pretending to court her.

But what would happen after he was gone? Would she really be able to endure the censure that would follow her suggested plan for scandal? Only a rank coward would abandon her to such a fate and Brandon was not a coward.

But still, to have his work endowed. . . “What did you have in mind, Miss Barnwell?”

Her expression brightened. “Why don’t you join us at the opera tonight?

Uncle Bob and Aunt Laura and I are going to see a special English production of The Magic Flute at the Lyceum with some friends. We’re having a late supper at home afterwards and we have an extra ticket. That is, if you like opera.”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Brandon said. “Very well. Are you sure your aunt and uncle won’t mind?”

“Not at all. They trust me, you see. “

“What about your matchmaking great aunt Tilda?”

Her laugh sent a wave of pleasure spiraling down his spine. “She will be so delighted that a duke’s brother is courting me, she will send away all other callers,” she said.

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