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“I know. He was involved in some business transaction with Banning. My brother told me just those deals would have left Elizabeth with more than enough money to last her entire life. Instead, she has only a small allowance.”
Matthew sat on the bench she had occupied. “Do you know how much?”
“Excuse me?”
“Jennette, the facts are quite simple. Enough money for me would be very different than enough money for you.”
“Exactly.”
Watching her face, he realized she didn’t understand his meaning. “I mean, you would require more.”
“I cannot believe you said that.”
He tilted his head and stared at her. “Indeed. What you spent on those orphans would have been enough to clear a large portion of my debts.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“You are used to a much higher standard than I, especially now. All I need is a woman who can help me clear my father’s debts and keep my tenants from being tossed out. Hopefully, next year will be far more productive for them and they can pay their rents again.”
“They haven’t been paying their rents?”
“How could I take food out of their mouths?”
Jennette stared down at him in wonder. Most men in Matthew’s position would have forced the tenants to pay or tossed them out. With the harsh weather this year, many crops had failed and even Banning’s tenants had asked for more time to pay their rents. Her brother had extended them credit to assist them, but he could afford it. Matthew hadn’t the money to be so generous.
“I’m sorry. I misjudged you.” It seemed that she misjudged him more than anyone.
“It’s not your fault. Perhaps I should have tossed my tenants out and leased the land to others.” He shook his head.
“But you could not do that,” she whispered. Again, he was far more of an honorable person than she.
“No, I couldn’t.”
He cleared his throat then asked, “Which of the three ladies do you think would be the most likely candidate?”
“Miss Mary Marston,” Jennette replied without a pause. “Her parents have decided that they need to up their station in life. Mary is very well received, better than her parents even, but she hasn’t caught the eye of a titled gentleman yet. Her sister recently became betrothed to Viscount Ellory.”
“Would you consider her reputation better than mine?” he asked softly.
Jennette tilted her head and nodded. “Her mother was the daughter of a viscount. She married for love but beneath herself.” And Mary’s father was the type of man who would make certain Matthew didn’t gamble Mary’s fortune away.
Nonetheless, it was a sad day indeed when an earl was held in lower esteem than the daughter of a banker.
“Very well, then. I should like to meet Miss Marston this evening.”
“I will arrange an introduction.”
She glanced up to see him staring at her, his gray eyes unfathomable. Without trying, she could lose herself in the haunting depths of his eyes.
“Jennette, we have very little time left.”
Her brows furrowed down. “I thought you said we had a month?”
“The first week is done and I still have no one to court. I expect it will take more than a quick introduction to procure a wife.”
“I suppose it will.” She smiled at him. “But you never know when a wife will just fall into your lap.”
He raised a chestnut brow. “I wouldn’t count on that happening. Time is running out.”
