AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERONE
The Earl of Rangeleykicked his horse faster as he neared the home of the Marquess of Farthington. He didn’t want to be late. Parker’s entire future depended on this small house party.
All right, perhaps that was a bit dramatic. But this sense of impending doom had been bearing down on him with greater and greater force of late and he’d finally found a possible solution.
Farthington’s mother, the marchioness, and his sisters had planned a small gathering of friends and he’d managed, just barely, to secure an invitation with the help of the baroness, Lady Greenburg.
The older woman had just successfully matched her nephew, the Duke of Wingate, with her friend’s daughter and he knew that Lady Greenburg was eager to see another match come to fruition. Parker would be forever in her debt if he could manage to secure the hand of the marquess’s sister, one Lady Matilda Crosby.
A bluestocking and self-proclaimed outsider of the ton, in many ways she was perfect for Parker. He didn’t need a lavish life, in fact, a quiet one would suit his new outlook on life wonderfully. Lady Matilda could surely give him plenty of time for academic pursuit and quiet reflection.
A biologist, he barely understood half of what she said, but she always looked beautiful saying it. A man such as himself could appreciate that.
In fact, he’d be fortunate to marry a woman as lovely as herself, considering the circumstances. He’d inherited a broken earldom, and he’d done his utmost in his early days as an earl to run the entire thing completely aground. He’d gambled, drank, and caroused his way into further debt until the collectors had come and taken every item that wasn’t attached to walls and a few that were.
Worse yet, one of the men who’d help cart out the furniture had been a former tenant of Parker’s. The man had spit at his feet and cursed Parker’s very name, all the while muttering about how Parker’s carelessness had destroyed his life.
Parker had been too stunned to ask the hows and the whys, but he’d caught enough from the man to know, as he’d watched the man limp away, that it was time for Parker to make some changes.
And so he’d set about building a new life. That had been four years and a few months ago. In that time, he’d started fresh, bringing in new tenants to his primary estate, turning over the fields and planting fresh crop, and trying to repair the broken-down manor he called home.
But rebuilding took time. And money.
And he was woefully short on the latter.
Which was another reason Lady Matilda was perfect. Her dowry was magnificent.
He grimaced to think of how that sounded, even within his own thoughts. Was he in love with Matilda? No.
But he found her attractive, intelligent, and what was more, he’d do his utmost to make her happy. He could allow her to pursue whatever interests she wished. He’d be an attentive and faithful husband, and he’d stay away from the vices that had overwhelmed his past.
Though he likely still didn’t deserve her.
He’d been the worst sort of wretch. And four years of helping to plow his own fields and plant his own crops didn’t make up for that.
But he’d try to be the husband she deserved. If he could convince her to marry him.
And that was a large if, despite having spent a week with her at Lady Greenburg’s house party. He’d enjoyed her company, of course, but he wished he’d secured her hand that week. Every one of these trips took away from the time he spent cultivating his own land for himself, but more importantly, for the people who depended on him.
Parker didn’t blame Matilda for her hesitancy. Tillie, her family called her. He just wished he could secure a bride along with the money to repair his tenant housing and expand his farming enterprises—and then get back to the work of becoming a better man and a good husband.
But as the manor came into view, he drew up his horse, his stomach pitching. If he didn’t convince Tillie…
There would be enough food. Just. And he’d likely be able to pay his staff and the rest of the farm hands and tenants. But he’d not be able to buy more livestock, open more land for planting, or improve the tenant houses, which were in desperate need.
He drew in a calming breath.
He’d done an excellent job at Lady Greenburg’s of quieting these thoughts and taking on his old, rakish charm. It had served him well in his younger days for securing a woman’s affection, and he’d come close with Tillie. He’d have to shake these thoughts and put on a jovial face.
Up ahead, he saw another carriage arrive, as the family congregated outside to greet their guest.
He kicked his horse into motion again. Parker had sold his carriage a few years back and he hadn’t missed the vehicle except for times like this. He’d arrive windswept and smelling of horse, rather than looking the part of the leisurely lord, but there was nothing to be done for it.
Trotting up, he breathed out a sigh of relief to note that it was Lady Greenburg herself who’d arrived just ahead of him.
She’d help him make his best entrance despite his lack of conveyance. He stopped, a groom rushing over to take the reins of his horse as he tugged his jacket, smoothing the fabric around his shoulders. He resisted the urge to run his fingers through his hair, but he plastered his best smile across his face, hoping that his eyes had the proper twinkle. A known rake’s gaze should shine with fun, careless whimsy, a jovial nature, and, underneath all that, just a touch of devilishness to truly incite curiosity.
He felt none of those emotions, not any longer. But a woman didn’t fall in love with hard work and ledgers.
