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

not what I think when it comes down to it. It’s the opinion of the gentlemen who wish to court them that matters.”
    “So why the extra two thousand pounds?”
    John shrugged, then slumped back in his seat. “Think of it as compensation for anything of yours she might destroy.”
    “Anything, but my pride,” Paul muttered, folding his arms. “It’s not important anyway; I have no desperate need of funds.”
    “All right,” John conceded. “Think about this: if you marry Liberty, you will not have to spend a Season in London going to exhausting balls, boring soirees, ear piercing musicales or dull garden parties. Not to mention, you won’t spend a shilling on flowers, candies and other token gifts gentlemen bring when they call on young ladies.”
    “As I said earlier, money is not a concern for me. Anyway, I might enjoy an outing or two,” Paul pointed out with a shrug.
    “What about all that other sentimental rubbish? Do you enjoy writing ridiculous poetry and spouting it in front of a room full of people in hopes of gaining the girl’s affections?”
    Paul blinked. Spout poetry? No, thank you. “Not all men do that. My brother didn’t.”
    “Your brother had a title,” John reminded him.
    “Thank you for reminding me,” Paul said with a grimace.
    “Come now, Paul, why chase a woman when there is one who is already perfectly willing?” John asked encouragingly.
    “Willing?” Paul echoed. To his memory, Liberty was willing to yell at him. Or willing to unman him. And perhaps even willing to make him look a fool. Not, willing to marry him.
    “Yes, willing,” John assured him. “I know your past few encounters with her weren’t very positive, but trust me when I tell you, Liberty does have a heart of gold somewhere in there.”
    A heart of gold? He didn’t even think she had one made of flesh buried in her chest. “John, I’m sorry. If there were any other way I could help you I would, but as you said yourself, who knows what might ensue if we have to share a house.”
    John sighed and leaned against the squabs, a look of defeat on his face. “Do you happen to have the time, Paul?”
    Paul’s fingers ran over his gold pocket watch that was sitting in his coat pocket. “No, I’m sorry I don’t.”
    “I thought you always had a pocket watch with you?” John said skeptically, favoring him with a questing glance.
    “I do. I did. What I mean to say is, I have the watch with me, but unfortunately it no longer works,” Paul said evenly.
    “Take it to Philip Michaels on Bond Street. He’s the best jeweler in town,” John suggested.
    Paul shook his head. “Already did. He said it was irreparable and offered to buy it to sell the gemstones and melt the gold.”
    John chuckled. “I can imagine what you told him to do with suggestion.”
    “You bet I did,” Paul said with a rueful grin. He had no desire to even think about the jeweler’s suggestion. The watch held too much sentimental value for him. As for him still carrying it around, well, old habits die hard, and every morning he found himself shoving the old, busted thing in his pocket, nonetheless.
    “Sorry to hear that,” John said casually. “It was a mighty fine watch. Had a crest on the outside, did it not?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “An earl?”
    “Duke,” Paul said tightly. “My mother’s father was the Duke of Charlton.”
    “Fascinating,” John said passively. “I suppose the time is of no importance. Surely it cannot be too late. Do you mind if we run an errand real quick?”
    Paul nodded.
    “Good, because I already told your coachman where to take me before I climbed in.”
    Paul smiled. That was a typical John move. “Where are we going?”
    “ The office for the Daily News . I have an article for them,” John said easily.
    “You do?” Paul asked idly. Since when did John start writing articles for the paper?
    “Yes.” John pulled out a piece of vellum from inside his breast pocket. “I wanted to drop this off