A Bargain With Fate

‘It is quite true. Only I did not claim she was my fiancéé, she is my fiancéé.’

‘Impossible!’

‘Not at all. Why is everyone so surprised? You have been hounding me to the altar for the past six years. It is my duty to marry eventually.’

‘Don’t be dense. You know perfectly well what I mean,’ snapped Lady Spence. ‘The negotiations for your marriage to Miss Randall have already been started.’

‘What sort of negotiations?’ Michael inquired, his voice cool. He came around to the side of the desk and lounged against it. ‘You’re not trying to tell me a marriage has already been arranged without my consent to a woman I’ve never met? I’ve told you and my father I would not agree to this scheme. I’ve no desire to marry a girl fresh from the schoolroom merely because my father and that old martinet Sheringwood have come up with some idiotic notion there needs to be an alliance between the two families. I will chose my own wife.’

Lady Spence snorted. ‘You are quite mistaken if you think your father will consent to this. I am almost afraid to ask who this woman might be. Caroline wouldn’t tell me; she seemed to find the whole matter highly entertaining. I only pray it is not Elinor Marchant.’

‘Put your fears to rest. I don’t think you’ll find her at all disagreeable. She is Rosalyn, Lady Jeffreys. I believe you are acquainted with her grandmother, Lady Carlyn.’

Lady Spence jerked her head up, her face losing its cool composure. ‘Rosalyn Jeffreys? Oh, no! Michael, she could not have possibly consented to marry you. She is much too respectable!’

Stamford sat on one edge of the desk and fingered the letter opener. A sardonic smile crossed his face. ‘My family is so highly complimentary. Is it so difficult to believe a respectable lady might possibly wish to marry me? Or am I too far beyond the pale? I am surprised you wish to throw the innocent Miss Randall into my clutches.’

‘It is not that, Michael. I have always thought that if you met the right woman…’ She stopped, her eyes full of concern. ‘Never mind. But where did you meet her? Lady Carlyn constantly complains she’ll never come to London.’

‘She is here now. I met her at the Winthropes’ rout. I was instantly charmed. Have you made her acquaintance?’

‘A long time ago, during her first season. Lady Carlyn sponsored her. She was such a quiet little thing, very pretty with large eyes and dark hair, but so shy—she had nothing to say. Lady Carlyn despaired of ever finding a match for her. But, Michael, unless she has changed, she is hardly in your style! As I remember she is very proper and reserved. I cannot believe you would even notice her.’

‘But I did. I discovered those were the qualities I wanted in a wife. After our first meeting, I decided I would ask her for her hand.’

Lady Spence looked at her nephew with exasperation. ‘And she accepted. Oh, dear! I have long prayed you would meet a woman that would show you at least a measure of resistance. I rather pity Lady Jeffreys if she has fallen in love with you.’ She rose to her feet, clearly agitated. ‘Michael, this is a very difficult situation. You have offered marriage to Lady Jeffreys so you cannot with honour back away from it. But there is Miss Randall to consider. Certain promises have been made to her also.’

‘But I did not make them. I have never met Miss Randall. I cannot conceive why she would be particularly eager to marry a man she has not met. Has she ever given you any indication she wishes to marry me?‘

‘No, she has not,’ Lady Spence said slowly. She thought for a minute. ‘I think she wishes to do her duty, but I’ve never had any strong feeling that she considered the marriage as settled. I believe she was told the marriage would take place after you had met and decided there was some compatibility. It is not likely that it will be Miss Randall who will feel slighted but rather Lord Sheringwood and Eversleigh. Your father will kick up quite a dust over this, Michael.’

‘He’ll settle down. He’ll be so pleased that I have at last found a suitable bride he’ll forget he didn’t choose her himself. And I am certain he will consider Lady Jeffreys quite suitable. She is well-bred; her manners are pleasing; she is intelligent. Just imagine how relieved he’ll be that I didn’t bring home one of my dashing widows.’

‘I don’t think he’ll be that pleased to have his plans overset.’ Lady Spence stared at him with a frown. ‘You’re up to something, aren’t you, Michael? How very convenient for you to find a bride in the nick of time. Are you in love with Lady Jeffreys?’

Michael shrugged and said lightly, ‘I have been in love a hundred times. But I am very fond of Lady Jeffreys. She is pretty and charming and intelligent, and I will endeavour to be a good husband.’

Lady Spence rolled her eyes upwards. ‘God help her. You’ll lead her a merry dance. Well, what will you say to your father?’

‘I was hoping you would help out in that regard. He’ll listen to you,’ said Michael. His mouth curved in an engaging smile.

‘I shall have to meet Lady Jeffreys again before I attempt to do any such thing. I still can’t believe you actually plan to marry someone decent. I would have been less surprised if you had announced you wanted to marry Lady Marchant or one of the other ill-bred creatures you’ve associated with. Sometimes I have felt you deliberately go out of your way to find the most annoying and vulgar sorts merely to irritate your father and the rest of the family as well.’

Michael grinned. ‘Caroline has frequently accused me of the very same thing.’

‘You’re a rogue, Michael.’ She sighed. ‘And far too charming for your own good. I will call on Lady Jeffreys and decide if I wish to plead your cause.’