A Matter of Choice by Laura Landon Read Free Book Online

partner.” She snapped her gaze to his face. “Are you looking for a wife? Is this your manner of courtship?”
    “Bloody hell, no!”
    She clutched her hand to her throat and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank heavens.”
    He laughed. “My grandfather was in his forties when he sired my father. I have no intention of producing an heir until I at least reach fifty.”
    “Then why won’t you leave me alone?
    “I told you before. I don’t want to see you make a mistake.”
    “I don’t intend to make a mistake. The Earl of Archbite is an intelligent man who carries himself with a great deal of confidence and dignity. He happens to be one of the most sought after bachelors in Society.”
    “Then let one of the other unsuspecting London debutantes win such a prize.”
    “What a horrible thing to say.”
    “I am only suggesting that you proceed with caution. You have waited this long to marry. Surely a few more months won’t make a difference.”
    His words stung. Little did he know if the choice were hers, she would wait a lifetime to marry. As it was, she had less than two weeks.
    He clasped his hands behind his back and pretended to study one of the portraits on the wall. “Does Hartley know how far things have progressed between the two of you?”
    Blood pounded in her head. “David? What does David have to do with this?”
    “I was just wondering—“
    She needed him to leave. Needed to be away from him. “I have had enough of your interference, Lord Montfort. Now, please. Leave me alone—“
    “Lady Allison?” Percy’s voice echoed from the other end of the long corridor. “Are you all right?”
    Allison stepped toward Percy but Montfort’s arm snaked around her waist, making escape impossible.
    “Of course the lady’s all right. She and I were just enjoying some time alone. You don’t mind, do you, Archbite?”
    “As a matter of fact, I do.” Percy walked forward, then stopped when he reached them.
    “That’s unfortunate,” Montfort said.
    An uncomfortable silence stretched between them and she suddenly feared what might happen.
    “I’d like to go back now.”
    Both men held out an arm for her to take. She looked from one arm to the other, then lifted her head and looked into their faces. A smile graced Montfort’s face, a look of undeterred confidence in his eyes.
    Allison hesitated, then placed her hand on Lord Archbite’s arm and walked with him to the exit. Her knees shook and a heavy weight pressed against her chest.
    As if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.
    +++
     
    Joshua leaned his fists against the cement balustrade on Lady Archbite’s patio and let the cool evening air wash over him. He didn’t know why the hell it should matter who Lady Allison married. But it did.
    He couldn’t imagine her with Archbite. Couldn’t imagine her being brow beaten by Archbite’s mother. And that’s what her life would be like until the day the dowager countess died, if Allison wanted there to be any sort of peaceful existence between her husband and herself.
    And that would be the least of her problems.
    Joshua raked his fingers through his hair and breathed in a deep breath.
    “I see you needed a little fresh air and solitude, too, Montfort.”
    Joshua turned around to see Allison’s brother, the Earl of Hartley walking toward him. “Yes. There’s something about a crowd of people that makes me yearn to escape to the country.”
    “I know the feeling. I’ll be glad when my wife tires of the endless round of balls and parties and suggests we visit our country estate for a while.”
    Hartley stood at Joshua’s left and focused his gaze on Lady Archbite’s perfectly manicured garden. “I still miss him, you know.”
    “Yes, I know,” Joshua answered, knowing who Hartley meant.
    “Philip and I arrived at school the same year. We were friends from the start. Good friends. I couldn’t believe he was taken away from us so young. Has your father come to terms with his