Autumn's Wild Heart (Seasons #4) - Laura Landon Page 0,7

the girl in question is a young lady of culture and refinement. Under the circumstances, you could do no better.”

A rock fell to the pit of his stomach and he found it difficult to breath. He had known his aunt would be disappointed in him but he had been certain that once she understood what had happened she would agree with his decision not to fall into the maiden’s trap. Instead, she intended to force him to marry.

“And if I don’t?”

“You will force me to do something I never thought I would consider doing.”

“What is that, Aunt?”

“You know that as you are my closest living relative, I intend to leave you my fortune and estate.”

“Are you saying that if I don’t marry the girl you will disown me?”

After a slight hesitation his aunt answered. “Yes. That is what I’m saying.”

James rose to his feet, desperately controlling the panic that welled within him. He walked to the edge of the gazebo and braced his hands on the two wooden beams that lined the open entryway. “May I ask why?” he ventured.

“Because you are the only one who can keep the girl from being cast on Society’s dung heap. Because you are the only one who can save your own future from being consigned to tittle-tattle.”

She gave him a piercing look. “And because I think marrying the girl is the only decision you will be able to live with.”

Chapter 3

Nella sat in her bedchamber and watched out the window. The Earl of Danvers had arrived nearly an hour ago and was still with her father. They were discussing the details of her marriage to Danvers. A marriage that would never take place.

Nella leaned her forehead against the window pane and let the glass cool her warm flesh. Autumn was coming earlier than usual this year. Even though the sun was out, it wasn’t strong enough to warm the air. The days were cool and the evenings cooler yet.

Or, perhaps the coolness was a harbinger of the events of the day.

“Papa wants you to join him in his study, Nella,” her sister Evangeline said after she opened the door.

Nella took two steps toward her.

“Oh, Nella,” Evie said on a sigh. “You are the most envied female in all of London. Lord Danvers is the most handsome man in the world, and every female has been vying for his hand for the past several Seasons. I can’t believe you will be his bride.”

Nella didn’t say anything. How could she? She hadn’t won his affection. She’d won his hand through trickery and deceit. He didn’t care for her. After what had happened, he probably even hated her.

Truth be told, he didn’t even know who she was. He’d never paid her the least bit of attention. And wouldn’t even now if he hadn’t been drugged.

Nella made her way out the door and down the stairs. Over and over she told herself she only had to endure the next few minutes and this would be over. Once she refused his suit she could escape to the country and hide away for the rest of her life. Her father had already forewarned her that this would be her last Season. Nothing had changed except that for her, this Season had ended several weeks earlier than usual. She couldn’t be terribly disappointed in that.

She reached the bottom of the stairs and walked to her father’s study. She entered when a footman opened the door.

“Come in, Petronella.” Her father walked across the room and took her elbow to escort her close to where Lord Danvers stood.

“My lady,” he greeted.

“Lord Danvers,” she curtsied.

Nella took a moment to meet his gaze. She only wanted to memorize his features this last time before she would never see him again.

Her breath caught. His usually devilish grin was tinged with sadness, his brow knitted as if he wrestled with some impossible problem. Yet even with these changes, she still felt his strength, still sensed his ownership of the space he occupied.

How was it possible for one man’s features to be so perfectly formed? From her safe distances in grand ballrooms his features had seemed as if drawn on an artist’s canvas. But here, practically within arm’s reach, the life and health and color made his face alive with tense emotion. Her heart shifted in her breast.

“Sit down, Petronella,” her father ordered. “Lord Danvers and I have been discussing your marriage arrangements.”

“I’m sorry, Papa, but that is not necessary. I am not going to marry Lord