Liberty for Paul by Rose Gordon Read Free Book Online Page A

situation.”
    Paul’s head snapped up. He knew he needed a wife and he’d even come to the conclusion that a wife might be beneficial in battling the gossip; but with Liberty as his wife, the gossip was likely to spread and multiply. She didn’t seem the sort to stand by her husband when things got hard, and no doubt the beginning of their marriage things would definitely be termed hard.
    “I’m sorry, John, but I don’t think Liberty is the solution to my problems,” Paul said truthfully.
    John nodded and scrubbed his fingers up and down his face before threading them through his hair. “All right, then,” John said, sighing loudly.
    Paul felt for John and Carolina, he truly did, but not enough that he’d marry their hellion of a daughter to help them out. A man had to draw a line somewhere.
    “How’s your den of iniquity?” John asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
    “Fine,” Paul ground out.
    John cocked his head and twisted his lips in the way Paul had seen him do many times when he was in deep contemplation. “You know, my boy, I do believe you are in need of a wife,” John said thoughtfully.
    “Yes, I’ve been thinking the same,” Paul agreed. What was John up to?
    “Tell me, do you have someone in mind?”
    Paul looked at him stoically. “No.”
    “I see,” John said, nodding slowly. “Hmm, well, if I remember correctly your prospects at home are not so grand. I suppose that would mean you’ll be coming to London for the Season to find a bride,” he mused aloud.
    “That’s the most likely possibility,” Paul allowed, trying to keep his curiosity from his tone or face.
    “You do know the Season is still a few months off, don’t you? Do you suppose there is enough time between now and the start of the Season for quiet country rumors to spread all the way here?”
    Paul’s eyes narrowed. The Mr. John Banks he’d met more than eight months ago would never even allude to gossip, let alone spread it. “Are you threatening me, sir?” he asked with keen interest.
    “No,” John said quickly. “I was just merely pointing out how quickly rumors spread and how damaging they can be, that’s all.”
    Paul ground his teeth. “I’ll think about it,” he said between clenched teeth.
    “You will?” John asked jovially, a smile transforming his rigid face. “How can I help you make up your mind?”
    “You can’t,” Paul returned flatly. Why had he just agreed to think about marrying Liberty? Did he want to spend his life in misery?
    “Oh, there must be something I can say to help.”
    “There’s not.”
    John shook his head. “Hmm, what if I increase her dowry? I gave Townson five thousand pounds. What if I give you six?”
    “Sir, do you remember that you once told me you only had twelve thousand pounds with which to dower all three girls? If you’ve already given Townson five, and you’re planning to give me—or whoever is crazy enough to chain themselves to Liberty for life—six, then that leaves only one thousand for Madison?”
    “I know that,” John snapped. “There's nothing wrong with my mathematics, young man. But as you pointed out, there is an extra thousand pounds. How about I bump Liberty’s dowry up to seven? That’s the highest I can go though.”
    Paul rolled his eyes. “Then that leaves nothing for Madison.”
    “As I said already, there is nothing wrong with my math skills,” John said sharply. “The fact is, Madison has no desire to marry, and if she changes her mind, her looks will be enough to snag the richest in the land. A lack of dowry won’t be a problem where she is concerned.”
    “Are you saying then you don’t believe Liberty is as attractive as Madison?” Paul asked coolly, interested in John’s answer. It had to be hard for Liberty to grow up in the shadows of her older, more attractive sisters.
    “As their father, I think they’re both equally attractive. Just in different ways, of course,” John said smoothly. “But it matters