The Heart of Love by Platt Meara

Author:Platt, Meara
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Captain Robert MacLauren,” said Tilbury’s formidable butler, announcing Robbie as he was led into the marquess’s study.

Tilbury rose and greeted him with a wry smile. “Welcome, Captain MacLauren. I was wondering when you were going to come around to see me.”

“I’m here now, and since we both know what this is about,” Robbie said, taking the offered seat in front of Tilbury’s desk and waiting for him to take the one behind the desk before proceeding, “what is it ye want in exchange for Heather’s release from the betrothal?”

“It does not bear discussion. It isn’t going to happen.”

Robbie arched an eyebrow, trying his best not to respond to Tilbury’s intractability by pounding his fist into the man’s face. “My lord, we both know yer heart belongs to Lady Melinda. So why the need to drag Heather into whatever game the two of ye are playing?”

The marquess leaned back in his chair and briefly closed his eyes before opening them again. “Unfortunately, this is quite a serious matter. If I knew a way to have a happy outcome for us all, I would leap at it. But there isn’t. Lady Melinda will not have me.”

“So ye will grab second best? Heather is no man’s second best. Ye’ll break her heart if ye marry her.”

Tilbury cast him an impatient glance. “She’ll be a marchioness. I’ll be generous with her, and she will not want for anything. Once I have my heirs, she can do as she wishes.”

“Then ye only intend to use her as a breeder?”

“MacLauren, don’t be crass. I’ll impose myself on her as little as possible. Of course, it will be necessary for the first few years. But afterward, no. She’ll have my name. We’ll be seen at all the important functions together. She won’t lack companionship since she has her sisters and a horde of cousins in town to keep her entertained. I know how to be discreet. All I’ll ask of her is to be discreet in her affairs as well.”

Robbie clenched his jaw and silently counted to ten. “She is no’ the sort to ever stray from her wedding vows. She’ll be faithful to ye to her dying day, even if it means her living with a broken heart to the end of her days.”

“Aren’t you being a bit theatrical? She’ll adapt to—”

“The lass wants a husband who will be faithful to her and with whom she can make a life. She is no’ interested in a marriage in name only. She does no’ want yer wealth or title. She wants love.” He leaned forward. “So, I’ll repeat my question. What is it ye want in exchange for releasing Heather from the betrothal?”

Tilbury shook his head despairingly. “I want Lady Melinda. But I’ve just told you, she will not have me.”

“Did she give ye a reason why she will no’ have ye? Because if ye ask me, she would no’ have been engaging in her own games concerning her mysterious marquess if she dinna care for ye.

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