Jacquie D'Alessandro - (Regency 1)

Author:Who Will Take This Man
Format: mobi
Published: 2010-03-06T17:19:13.015000+00:00

Philip was just finishing his predawn breakfast when Bakari appeared in the dining room doorway. “Your father,” he said.

The earl entered the room. His cheeks were pale, and dark circles shadowed his eyes, but he otherwise appeared surprisingly fit, walking with a spry step. He was, as always, perfectly turned out in a Devonshire brown coat, fawn breeches, blinding white shirt, and intricately tied cravat. Philip idly wondered if Father’s valet ever slept.

“Good morning, Philip.” He nodded at the footman. “Coffee, if you please.”

“Father. How are you feeling today?”

“Quite well, thank you. Better, in fact, than I’ve felt in weeks.”

“Glad to hear it.” Philip glanced pointedly at the mantel clock. “Although perhaps you should be resting? It’s rather early for a visit.”

“I wanted to catch you before you took yourself off for the day. I knew you’d be awake you’ve always been an early riser, and obviously I haven’t dragged you from your bed.” His sharp gaze raked over Philip’s appearance. “Or have I? You’re looking a bit disheveled, although that is hardly surprising.”

“I didn’t sleep well.” He nearly laughed at the understatement. He hadn’t slept at all. The question of what he should do about Meredith had kept him tossing and turning, weighing his options, examining the facts, until he’d finally drawn his conclusion the only possible solution.

“Mind filled with images of all those lovely beauties, eh, Philip?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“That’s why I’m here to discuss last night’s festivities.” Father cocked a single brow. “Well, did the party have the desired result? Did you meet a woman willing to take you on?”

No doubt Philip should have been offended by the brusquely worded question, but instead his lips twitched with amusement. “I’m not quite sure.”

“Meaning what, precisely?”

“Meaning I met a woman I’d like to take on ”

“Excellent.”

“ but the lady has expressed some reservations.”

“Bah. What woman wouldn’t want to marry the heir to an earldom?”

“For starters, one who isn’t eager to risk expiring two days after the nuptials.”

His father waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Who is the chit?”

“I’d prefer not to say just as yet. Suffice it to say I’ve made my choice. Now I just need to convince the lady which is exactly what I plan to do.” Indeed, in order to keep his agreement with his father, he’d been fully prepared to marry a woman he didn’t even know. Well, he knew he desired Meredith. And he believed they’d be well suited. Surely he could convince her of that. The bigger problem would be finding a way to protect her and convincing her to take him on if he was not able because of the curse to marry her.

The footman set the coffee at Father’s elbow, and the earl absently stirred the richly fragrant brew with his spoon. “You haven’t much time to court her, Philip. I met with Doctor Gibbens yesterday. He says I’ve two, perhaps three months left. I want to see you settled, maybe even know there’s an heir on the way.”

A wave of sadness, regret, and loss washed over Philip.

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