Unconquered by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

funeral dawned gray, windy, and threatening. After the Anglican minister conducted the services in the parlor and Thomas Dunham was laid to rest in the family cemetery on a hill near the house, the mourners returned to drink a glass of wine in memory of Tom Dunham. Then everyone left. Only Lawyer Younge remained to read the will.
    There were the usual bequests to loyal servants, and theofficial recognition of Jared Dunham as legal heir and next lord of Wyndsong Manor Island. Dorothea sat quietly, waiting for the revelation yet to come, but when it did it was worse even than she had known. For Tom, it seemed, had not told her everything. Thomas Dunham hadn’t simply made the suggestion that his heir marry one of his daughters, he had made it impossible for Jared not to wed one of them. Dorothea’s widow’s portion was safe but the remaining money went to a local church unless Jared Dunham married one of Thomas Dunham’s twins. Only in that case would the wealth be divided thusly: a generous dowry to the twin not chosen, and the bulk of Thomas’s wealth to the bride’s husband.
    The room’s five inhabitants sat in stunned silence. Lawyer Younge shifted uncomfortably, his brown eyes darting between the four Dunhams. Finally Jared said, “And what the hell if I had already been wed? Would the girls then have been penniless?”
    “We changed the will regularly, sir,” Younge replied.
    “Tom knew you were not … involved with anyone.”
    “Then if I am to save the Dunham wealth from the church I must marry one of these two girls.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Jared turned to the twins, and appeared to study them very carefully. Both quailed under his scrutiny. “Amanda is far sweeter than her sister,” Jared said, “but I fear that, without her fine dowry, Lord Swynford will not be able to marry her. On the other hand, I fear that even with a large dowry no one will have such a bad-tempered wench as Miranda. It is quite a quandary.”
    His eyes flicked swiftly over Amanda to rest on her older twin, and Miranda angrily felt herself blush. After a long silence, Jared said, “Since Amanda is already promised, I will not make her unhappy by forcing her into a marriage with me when she loves Lord Swynford. I must therefore choose Miranda.”
    Thank heavens, thought Dorothea. Well, Tom, something good has come from your terrible death.
    Amanda sat, weak with relief, her legs shaking beneath her gown. Thank God, she thought. June can’t come soon enough for me!
    Lawyer Younge cleared his throat. “Well, then, that is settled,” he said. “Mr. Dunham, I offer you my congratulations both on your fine inheritance, and on your upcoming nuptials.There is one other thing. Tom requested a one-month limit to mourning for him.”
    “In that case we will plan for a December wedding,” said Jared Dunham quietly.
    “I have no intention of marrying you.” Miranda finally found her voice. “Father must have been mad to make such a will.”
    “If you refuse, you condemn your sister, Miranda.”
    “Mama can make up Amanda’s dowry.”
    “No, Miranda, I cannot. If I am to take care of myself for the rest of my life I must hoard my widow’s mite carefully.”
    “Oh,” said Miranda brightly, “I understand now. Amanda is allowed to be happy. You, Mama, are also allowed to be happy. I, however, am to be the sacrificial lamb.”
    “You are seventeen, wildcat, and I am your legal guardian until you are twenty-one,” said Jared. “I am afraid you must do as I dictate. We will be married in December.”
    Miranda looked to Lawyer Younge for confirmation. “He can do this to me?”
    The lawyer nodded, his eyes not quite meeting hers. He damned well ought to feel ashamed, thought Miranda. This is no better than slavery!
    “Would you all leave us, please,” said Jared quietly. “I should like to speak with Miranda alone.”
    They all rose quickly, delighted to leave. Lawyer Younge took Dorothea’s arm and escorted her from the room,