Page 2 of The Lady’s Great Escape

“Yes, well, your marriage to Miss Denton is off. There was a bit of a… misunderstanding, and it would seem her father has changed his mind.” He cleared his throat and glanced at the floor—the only evidence he felt any guilt at all. But it was quickly brushed aside as he continued.

“This is better anyway. Celia needed to marry so I am no longer burdened with her expenses.” Another wave of his hand as if she was the cause of their dire financial situation. Other than food, she barely cost him a thing. She hadn’t had a new dress in years and her books came from the lending library.

To argue would be a waste of breath. Her father had moved on to another of his moods, stubbornly obstinate.

She felt a bit relieved that he did at least intend marriage. It would not have been beyond her father to trade her virtue for the right price. Anything to be able to continue on in his search for fortune at the gaming tables.

“We’ll just find another heiress for me to marry. I said I would take care of this and I shall. Celia is not to be involved.”

“There’s no time.” He became flustered which could only mean someone had called in his markers. He was now in the worst disposition of all… recklessly desperate. “Celia will marry the Earl of Hamlin at the end of the week. This is much better than finding an heiress anyway. Your sister will be a countess.”

“The Earl of Hamlin?” Graham repeated, his eyes wide in surprise. “I wasn’t aware the old earl had passed.”

“He hasn’t,” her father said, looking everywhere around the room except at them.

Celia watched as her brother stood and slammed his hand on her father’s desk. “He’s got to be close to eighty!”

“He’s only two and seventy,” her father defended as if those eight years made such a huge difference to a man of that age.

“You cannot marry Celia to a man old enough to be her grandsire.” Graham threw his hand out as if making a point, but she knew her father was past hearing reason.

“I can, and I am,” the marquess said firmly.

“Don’t I have a say in the matter? As I am the bride?” Celia spoke up, already knowing the answer, but trying to grasp onto any possibility of freedom from this fate.

Her father looked up with a sneer. “No. You have no say. You are my daughter and you’ll marry Hamlin or I’ll put you out on the street to fend for yourself.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Graham said.

“And what will you do about it? I’m the marquess. You’re but my heir. A word from me and you’ll be cut off.”

“Cut off?” Graham laughed. “From the pittance you offer?”

“That pittance is more than you deserve. If she won’t marry Hamlin, I’ll disown both of you and be done with it.”

“There has to be another way,” Celia said. She didn’t want Graham to be disowned, regardless of how sullied their name was already. “Certainly, I could find someone more appropriate.”

Her father scoffed. “You have no dowry. You’re a spinster and with that revolting mark on your face, no one will have you. Besides, Hamlin is richer than Croesus and has agreed to clear all my debt.” He frowned at her. “Now, go away. Both of you. I’ve things to do to prepare.”

Graham helped her from the room. She was grateful for his assistance since her legs were unsteady. She was to marry a man she’d never met. The fact that the Earl of Hamlin would make a deal with her father, worried her all the more. What kind of gentleman could he be to agree to such a match with a much younger woman?

“I’ll figure something out,” Gray said. “I’ll go see Miss Denton immediately and fix whatever Father has done. You won’t be forced to do this.”

She nodded and went to her room to wait, wishing neither of them were facing a fate of an unwanted marriage.

She had long given up any notion of romance or love, but still, it would have been fortunate to marry based on common interests or mutual respect. To arrange a marriage based solely on financial gain seemed despicable, despite it being the reason for many unions among the ton. It was no surprise her father didn’t even flinch at the idea.

Graham was only gone an hour and when he returned, clearly livid.

“Our father made advances on the man’s wife in their home while he was arranging the marriage of their daughter to me. I’ve never known someone so capable of ruining everything he touches so thoroughly. Neither of us would even need to marry if it weren’t for him and his gambling.” Graham turned to her. “I’m so sorry, Celia. I don’t know what else to do.”

Celia shook off the shock and fear so she could concentrate on a solution to the problem at hand. The way she saw it, she just needed to marry someone else before she could be married to Hamlin. But she only knew a few men.

Her eyes went wide and she grabbed Graham’s arm. “Perhaps one of your friends would agree to step up for me? Father would have to allow it.”

“Hale and Julian are in Scotland. It would take too long to reach them.” He scowled.

“Kit is in England. I could marry Kit instead. He’s a viscount. Perhaps Father would accept his suit.”