The Counterfeit Betrothal by April Kihlstrom Read Free Book Online

and all that.”
    “Thank you,” Emmaline said with a smile she did not feel. “Are you just come from London?”
    Hastings nodded. “Read the news and had to come see what it was all about.”
    “Jeremy’s betrothal being such a strange event?” Emmaline suggested cordially.
    “Exactly, I—” Hastings broke off in confusion as he realized where his tongue was headed.
    “It’s all right, Edward,” Jeremy said with a sharp laugh, “Miss Delwyn is noted for her quick wits.”
    “Here! I say, Jeremy,” Hastings remonstrated.
    It was Emmaline’s turn to laugh. “It’s all right, Mr. Hastings,” she said with a kindness she did not feel. After a pause, she added, “Jeremy, I do wish, however, that we might speak privately, for a few minutes.”
    Jeremy’s eyebrows rose in surprise but after a moment he bowed and said, “Of course. Shall we go into the parlor? Edward can continue to admire your garden.”
    “Wonderful garden,” Hastings agreed promptly. “Delighted to wait here for you.”
    “Thank you,” she told him warmly, then led the way inside.
    Once there, however, Emmaline set down the flower basket she was holding but could not seem to bring herself to speak. In the end it was Jeremy who broke the silence. “What is it, my dear?” he asked gently. “You seemed quite distressed just now, outside.”
    Almost undone by his kindness, Emmaline turned away, forcing herself to be resolute. Coolly she said, “You are an excellent actor, are you not, Jeremy? Did I not know better I should indeed think you were my devoted fiancé . But my father has admitted to me the circumstances of—of our betrothal. How devastated you must have been to be forced into something so distasteful to you.”
    Behind her Emmaline heard a sharp intake of breath. The coolness in his voice matched her own as Jeremy replied, “How unfortunate that he told you. May I ask what it is that you wish to tell me?”
    Emmaline turned to face him. In a softer voice she said, “Let us speak frankly, Jeremy, shall we? You are no more happy in our betrothal than I am, are you?”
    “What do you mean?” he asked warily.
    Emmaline looked at her hands. She was careful to keep her voice steady as she said, “I see very well how you flinch each time anyone asks about the wedding. And as I said, my father has told me everything. I cannot help but feel our betrothal was a mistake.” Jeremy’s face darkened and she hastened to add, “I have known you almost all of my life and yet we are all but strangers to one another. You don’t wish to marry me, nor am I at all certain I wish to marry you. That does not bode well for the future, I fear.”
    Jeremy stood quite still, conscious of a sense of shock. He had joked with Edward over the difficulties of finding a woman to marry him. The truth was, however, that he had never doubted that his title, wealth, and lineage would make him acceptable to any woman his choice should settle on. “I had thought you cared for me,” he said at last.
    He could not guess what it cost Emmaline to shrug and say lightly, “Ah, well, it seems I had mistaken my heart, as these last few days have so clearly shown me.”
    “Yes, well, what is that to say to the matter?” Jeremy asked roughly, turning away. “You say that your father told you my circumstances. We are betrothed and the reasons for that betrothal have not changed on my part. And there is still your father’s concern for you.”
    “So there is,” Emmaline agreed, looking at his back steadily. “That is what I wish to talk with you about. I know you are right, but Jeremy, surely you see that a marriage between us won’t work? What are we to do? If we break the betrothal your father will cut you off without a penny and mine—” Emmaline’s voice broke and it was a moment before she could go on. “Dr. Farley has told me he believes my father has no more than six months to live, and I cannot bear to risk that he might take a turn for the