The Honorable Mr. Darcy by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy [Joy, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-10-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

"You want me to marry Miss Stallard?" asked Darcy incredulously. Not once in their short acquaintance had Miss Stallard shown an inkling of liking toward him. In fact, Darcy had assumed her regard lay elsewhere.

"You heard me correctly." Mr. Stallard relaxed his hands against the arm of his chair, smiling as if he had already won.

"What makes you think I would agree to your scheme?" Darcy asked. Not even a guilty verdict would convince him to marry Miss Stallard. There was only one lady who could possibly tempt him… and she did not want him.

Mr. Stallard's fists clenched. "I will be honest with you. I believe we can be of mutual assistance to each other. If you do as I bid and marry my daughter, I can ensure you are not sent to trial. My daughter is handsome and, generally, of a cooperative disposition. She will do you credit in society, and she will add to your coffers with her dowry and inheritance."

Darcy cringed in distaste. "I do not need your money."

"I am pleased to hear it. However, I would wager that you value your life greatly. Your life and an unblemished reputation is what I am offering you. You are hardly in a position to argue or negotiate, though you must see how generous my offer is, the benefits to you being far superior than those you can reciprocate."

"You take advantage of my circumstances, sir," said Darcy, knowing that Mr. Stallard would not want to depart without a guarantee, but being unwilling to give it.

"Be that as it may, it is my dearest wish to see my daughter married well."

"You consider it advantageous for her to marry a man accused of one of the worst crimes known to humankind? You must be thoroughly convinced of my innocence or else you would never consider me for your own daughter. If your conviction is so strong, why am I here under arrest when you could free me this moment? Where is your honor, sir?"

Mr. Stallard laughed. "And risk you leaving without first securing my daughter's future? No, Mr. Darcy, I am not a fool, and I will not lose out on the opportunity presented to me by acting prematurely."

So much for honor. It had been worth a try. "What makes you think Miss Stallard will accept me?"

"She will accept you because I require it of her," Mr. Stallard replied firmly, his eyes hardening.

A chill settled over Darcy. At that moment, Darcy could imagine Mr. Stallard capable of killing a man to suit his wishes. He needed to keep him talking. He needed to learn what he could before Mr. Stallard left.

"You said you would be honest with me, Mr. Stallard, and yet, I do not think you are being entirely truthful. What is your motive in choosing me when Miss Stallard is fully capable of selecting a gentleman to marry of her own choosing?”

Mr. Stallard pressed his white knuckles into the padding of his chair. "This in no way undermines my offer.

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