The Engineered Engagement by Erica Vetsch

Author:Erica Vetsch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Eli had to restrain himself from laughing out loud. No wonder Geoffrey had been so touchy about Eli’s engagement to Clarice. He’d been in love with her all along. A condemned man escaping the hangman’s noose couldn’t have felt more elation than Eli did at that moment.

The scowl on Grandfather’s features told him he’d better keep that elation to himself. He figured he could just about fry an egg on the top of Grandfather’s head, the old man was so angry.

As soon as the library doors shut behind them, Grandfather started in. “Radcliffe, what’s the meaning of this? My grandson comes over here in good faith to put a ring—a very expensive ring, mind you—on your daughter’s finger, and what do we find? She’s eloped!” He pounded the arm of his chair with one hand in a familiar gesture.

Zahn rocked back on his heels at this attack and glared at Abraham. “With your lawyer, I might add.” He shifted his eyes to include Eli in his displeasure. “Did you put him up to it?”

“No, sir.” Eli’s lips twitched. “They did this all on their own. I had no idea Geoff had feelings for your daughter. If I had known, there’s no way I would’ve gone along with this engagement. I don’t poach on another man’s preserve.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against a bookcase.

Mrs. Zahn collapsed into a chair near the fireplace, her feet shooting out and kicking a pile of papers and books on the cold hearth. She seemed not to notice the mess she’d made, fanning herself with her handkerchief and staring into space. “What was she thinking? She’ll be ruined, that’s what. Running off to get married, and when she was engaged to another man.” The lady hiccupped and blinked, choking on the words.

“When did you first notice she was gone?” Zahn fired the question at his wife. “Perhaps it isn’t too late to fetch her back.”

For a moment hope dawned on her rounded face. Then her shoulders slumped and her eyelids fell. “I found the note this afternoon when I was getting ready to leave for Mrs. Grant’s garden party. I don’t know how I missed seeing it all day. Clarice wasn’t at breakfast this morning, but you know how she is.” Mrs. Zahn put her chin up defensively. “She rarely eats breakfast anyway, so I didn’t miss her. I couldn’t have known she’d do something like this. No one here has seen her since yesterday after the evening meal. She’s probably been gone since last night.”

Zahn paced the rug, his brows down like a thundercloud, his steps rigid.

Grandfather tugged on Eli’s sleeve. “Well, don’t just stand there like a lamppost. What are you going to do about this?”

“Me?” Eli shrugged. “I’m not going to do anything. I’m the wronged party here, remember?”

Zahn stopped mid-stride. Inspiration lifted his features from hard, etched lines to something resembling his expression when he first entered the house. “I’ve got it.” His fingers snapped like a gunshot and brought Mrs.

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