The Heiress Bride by Catherine Coulter Read Free Book Online Page B

sofa.”
    Colin Kinross looked at the earl of Northcliffe. He saw a man some five or so years older than he was, an athlete, no dandied-up fop like many of their contemporaries. “I apologize for taking liberties with Joan. I suppose that since I have, it would only be honorable for me to marry her.”
    â€œI don’t believe any of this,” Douglas said. “And you call her Joan! Only Mother calls her that. It’s repellent.”
    â€œI don’t care for the mannish nickname.”
    Douglas just stared at him.
    â€œI assure you I don’t care,” Sinjun said, then smiled grandly. “He can call me anything he wishes to. Now, I thought if one put one’s mind to it, this courtship and marriage business wouldn’t be all that difficult. You see, I was right. It’s grand to get things moving properly. What would you like in your tea, Colin?”
    â€œJust a moment,” Douglas said. “There is nothing simple about any of this, Sinjun. I want you to listen to me.” But he turned to Colin. “I have found out, sir, that you are on the hunt for an heiress. You haven’t been at all discreet about it. You doubtless know very well that Sinjun here will be quite rich upon her marriage.”
    â€œSo she tells me. She came up to me andannounced she was an heiress. She wanted me to speak to you to find out exactly what she’s worth.”
    â€œShe what? ”
    Sinjun only smiled at her brother. “It’s true, Douglas. I knew he needed a wife with money, and so I told him I was perfect for him. Groats and toothsomeness all in one female person. To make it even grander, he catches all the other Sherbrookes in the family net as well as me.”
    Alex laughed, she couldn’t help it. “I hope, Colin, that you can control this minx. She tackled me once in the immense entranceway of Northcliffe Hall, in front of everyone, and held me down until Douglas could be released from the room I’d locked him in. You must be careful, for she’s really quite determined once she sets her course.”
    She went into peals of laughter, and Sinjun grinned. Douglas looked wooden as a church pew, and Colin looked as if he were indeed in Bedlam and the inmates were ganging up on him.
    â€œI’ll tell you all about it later,” Sinjun said, and lightly patted his biscuit-colored coat sleeve. She made the mistake of looking at his face and felt her own color rise at her very interesting thoughts.
    â€œStop it, Joan,” he said low, through his teeth. “You’re a danger to yourself. Just stop it. Do you want your brother to attack me again?”
    â€œListen, all of you just cease and desist for a minute.” Douglas rose and began pacing the drawing room. He was also carrying his teacup and sloshed tea onto his hand. He grimaced, set the cup down, and resumed his pacing. “You saw him for the first time five days ago, Sinjun. Five days! You can’t possibly know that you’d be content with this man—he’s a bloody stranger.”
    â€œHe said he wouldn’t beat me. He said he was kind and felt responsible for his dependents. Whenit’s really cold he lets his cats sleep with him. What else should I know, Douglas?”
    â€œYou might want to know if he cares for anything other than your money, my girl!”
    â€œIf he doesn’t now, he will come to care for me. I’m not a bad person, Douglas. You like me.”
    Colin rose to stand his full height. “Joan, you will cease to answer for me as if I were a half-wit and not even here.”
    â€œVery well,” Sinjun said, and primly folded her hands in her lap.
    â€œDamnation, my lord, I don’t have a bloody word to say to you! This isn’t . . .” Words failed Douglas. He stomped to the door and turned to say over his shoulder, “I will speak to you again, Colin Kinross, this time next week. Seven days! Seven additional