A Match for Melissa by Susan Karsten

Author:Susan Karsten
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
Publisher: Prism Book Group
Published: 2017-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

27

Melissa entered her father’s study after a bath and change of clothes. Strengthened by Mrs. Banting’s support, she resolved to have a heart-to-heart talk about her father’s misguided plan to marry her off to a nobleman.

He was talking before she sat down across the desk from him.

“So my gel, what happy chance brought you under the roof of the admirable Mrs. Lucy Banting?” Papa rubbed his hands together, jovial and eager to learn about his daughter’s impromptu social visit. “She is, in my opinion, a lady of quality and, therefore, a desirable contact in every way.”

“Papa, it was far from an undilutedly happy event. Your hand-picked suitor has lost his patience, if not his mind. He abducted me, bound and gagged me, and dragged me into a chapel. There, your precious Lord Winstead attempted to force me to wed.” She showed her father her profile, chin up.

“What?” he sputtered, half rising. “Forced? Were you harmed?”

“Only if you deem this harm.” She held out her wrists, still red and chafed. “If Lord Russell hadn’t happened to be in the church, I would now be married to that cad, Winstead. Lord Russell interrupted the proceedings and rescued me. Thanks to him I am not physically harmed. As to my name, if our subterfuge upon leaving the church is successful, my reputation will be unharmed as well.”

“Harrumph. This is disturbing.” He sat down and stroked his chin. He stuck his finger between his cravat and his neck, pulling the neckcloth out to ease its fashionable tight fit.

“I am quite shaken up, and I require two things from you. One, your agreement this husband hunt among the ton be set aside for at least the near future. Two, I need a restorative visit to the country.” She held back the anger teetering on her lips and hoped she played her hand well enough—such a difficult man with which to negotiate.

He came around the desk, took her hand into his, and held it for several long moments. His palpable chagrin salved her pride and subdued her anger.

“Of course we can put it all on hold. Winstead is more than on hold—he is out of the running. He’s gone beyond the pale.”

“I agree, Papa.” Melissa tried not to preen over her strategic victory.

“It’s too bad his suit became somewhat public knowledge. We will need to let some time go by before we proceed with another candidate now.”

She retrieved her hand from her father’s. “How nice of you. However, I will not proceed with any more of your impoverished aristocrats, Papa. You must reconsider your approach altogether. Since you have such a talent at finding potential husbands, perhaps use a better set of criteria in the future.” If only Papa placed more value on faith, this might never have happened.

“Now, daughter, I’ll tolerate no disrespect. Through the years, I have learned a practical, businesslike approach to matters is indeed the best. When I deem enough time has elapsed to resume our mission, you and I shall meet again and review the strategy.

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