Mercedes (The Shackleford Legacies Book 2) by Beverley Watts

Author:Beverley Watts [Watts, Beverley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BaR Publishing
Published: 2024-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Mercy was silent while her father wrote the note to Nathaniel Harding. Her thoughts were going round and round in her head – a ceaseless cacophony of questions she had no answers to. She’d had no idea how she would end her fictitious engagement and couldn’t make her mind up as to whether she would even want to. And then there was the guilt about using a man who had already gone through so much in his life. She had never been so confused about anything in her entire life. And on top of all that was the fear that Reinhardt might succeed in his bid to force her into wedlock.

So far, her father had spoken very little about the American’s reason for wishing to abduct her. He claimed Reinhardt was a gambler and a fortune hunter – and while she believed him to a point, Mercy was almost certain there was something he wasn’t telling her. Something to do with her mother. Whether he was protecting her sensibilities or trying to lessen her fear, she wasn’t sure, but for the moment she was content to let sleeping dogs lie. First things first – would the Viscount agree to help them.

To help her.

Mercy knew the request for aid from a stranger didn’t sit well with her father, and she also knew he was sending two more letters – to the Duke of Blackmore and the Earl of Ravenstone. Both had become close friends over the years, and Mercedes was well aware that asking for aid from Nicholas and Adam was much more to her father’s liking. That said, neither man was in a position to provide what was needed to draw Reinhardt out of hiding. And unfortunately, Mercy didn’t have a surfeit of potential suitors prepared to put their lives at risk to protect her.

She told herself that Nathaniel Harding’s lot would be hugely improved by their association. He would be able to complete the repairs to his house, and if he wished, take his place in society – even putting aside her confused emotions about the whole matter.

As her father handed the three missives to the messengers, she couldn’t help wondering what Jennifer and Victoria would say if they knew what was happening. In truth, none of her other seasons had started quite so eventfully…

***

Nate stared down in consternation at the letter in his hand. Why the devil would the Earl of Cottesmore invite him to visit? Thrusting aside his sudden fierce elation at the thought of seeing Mercy again, he read through the missive a second time. Though couched in flowery language, Nate recognised it wasn’t simply a social invitation. The Earl wanted something from him.

Laying the note on his lap, he absently stroked Ruby’s head. To turn down the invitation would be unforgivably ill-mannered, and though the knowledge irked him, the fact of the matter was, he needed the Earl’s favour. Especially after learning that the essential repairs to Carlingford were significantly more urgent than he’d previously believed.

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