For All Eternity by Heather Cullman Read Free Book Online Page A

also the advantage of my wealth, which is such that I can promise you that neither you nor our children shall ever want for anything.”
    She nodded. She had to admit that his offer was handsome.
    If only he had the face to match.
    He squeezed her hands. “You also have my pledge that I shall be the most generous of husbands. The allowance I shall allot you will make it possible for you to buy out every shop in the Arcade, should that be your desire. In short, you can expect the best of everything, as will befit your new position.”
    The best of everything? Very handsome indeed. If he was as wealthy as all that, perhaps her lack of dowry and debts might not matter much … especially if she could convince him that her deceit was a result of her desperate infatuation with him. Hmm. Perhaps Edgar’s plan might succeed after all.
    “Last, but most certainly not least,” he enumerated, “you shall have my everlasting devotion. I promise to treat you with nothing but the utmost respect and kindness.”
    Devotion? That word was like a pin to her ballooning confidence. Surely he felt more for her than mere devotion? By the fervor of his courtship, she’d assumed that he was in love with her. Madly so. If she was wrong …
    She gave her head a mental shake, pushing away the ridiculous notion. Of course he loved her. How could he not? She was the Toast of the Town, and all the gentlemen desired her.
    “Miss Barrington?” Clearly he had just said something of importance, and she had missed it.
    “I’m sorry. This is all so … overwhelming,” she stammered, forcing herself to look at him and smile. “You were saying?”
    He touched her cheek, and she had to steel herself to keep from flinching away. “It’s quite all right, my dear. I realize that the notion of becoming a wife is somewhat intimidating for one so young.”
    “Somewhat, yes,” she agreed, tearing her gaze from his cheek. Blast. She was staring again.
    “In that case, I hope you won’t be unduly alarmed when I tell you that there are as many duties as benefits that attend the title of Countess of Lyndhurst.”
    “Of course not, my lord. My aunt taught me that with any title comes responsibility.”
    “Very wise of her,” he returned solemnly. “And did she by chance tell you what those responsibilities were?” Sophie nodded. “She said that I must always guard my manners so as not to sully my husband’s name. I am also to keep abreast as to what the ton finds amusing, so that I can entertain in a manner worthy of my position. It is also my duty to manage the servants and make certain that the household runs smoothly.” “Households,” he corrected her. “You shall have three at first, six when you become marchioness.” “Three?” she echoed, praying that his palace-like residence on Pall Mall numbered among them.
    “Three,” he confirmed. “There is Ebbatson Hall in Durham, Newlyn Manor in Herefordshire, and Grafford Keep in Leichester. We shall spend most of our time at Newlyn, though we shall visit my other estates for two months each out of every year. As my wife, it will be your duty to see to the cottagers. That includes directing the charities, ministering to the sick, and organizing the village festivities — such as the annual Harvest feast.”
    It was all Sophie could do not to gasp her dismay. Not only was she to rusticate, she was expected to fete the local peasants. It was simply too much!
    Her face must have reflected her thoughts, for he dryly observed, “I take it that you find those duties distasteful?”
    Though she wasn’t normally given to cursing, Sophie cursed herself then for her carelessness. Damn! Damn! Damn! She must learn to school her expression before she ruined everything. Desperate to rectify her faux pas, she stammered out, “Not distasteful, my lord, but … um … perplexing. You see, I know little of country affairs.”
    There was a pause of silence, during which she feared the worse. Then he