Candice Hern by Once a Gentleman Page B

had come, and Nick was not looking forward to facing the man who earlier had punched him in the nose.
    Lord Henry led the way through the drawing room and down the stairs to a library. After indicating that Nick should be seated, he closed the door and took a seat behind the desk.
    “Daine has given us permission to use his study,” he said. “He has assured me we will not be disturbed.” He placed his elbows on the desk, leaned forward, and steepled his fingers. He looked at Nick for a long while before speaking again.
    “I understand you are claiming this is a love match.”
    Good Lord, is that all the man wanted to discuss? Surely he did not object to that little bit of prevarication?
    It had been a thoroughly impulsive response to those overgrown loutish cousins. Their insulting references to Pru had not only angered him, but had triggered a wave of protectiveness that had swept over him with astonishing strength. Perhaps it was because Pru had spent so much time in Edwina’s company that he’d begun to think of her as a sister. He would certainly never have allowed anyone to speak of Edwina in that offensive manner.
    “I confess I did not like the way some of your relations were treating Pru,” he said, “as though she were some sort of unsightly toad unworthy ofhappiness. It made me angry, and I said what I said in order to put an end to their jibes.”
    Lord Henry stared at him through narrowed eyes—clear blue like those of his daughter. “You surprise me, Parrish. Considering how things began this morning, I had not expected such…thoughtfulness. I assumed you would be so angry, you would remain stiff and silent throughout the day, but you have handled yourself well. We are not an easy family to foist upon anyone, especially on such short notice. I appreciate your consideration of Prudence.”
    “She is my friend, Lord Henry, and not deserving of the cruel words being thrown about by her cousins. It is true that I am angry about this whole situation. For myself and for Pru. But what’s done is done. And I have no intention of allowing your family to make this any more difficult for Pru than it is already.” Or for himself, either, by God.
    Lord Henry’s eyes widened slightly. “Well, then. I commend you, sir, on your sense of honor. You are a true gentleman. It appears my daughter has made a good match, after all.”
    Had she? Nick doubted it. The marriage had been against her will as much as his.
    “We will make the best of it, my lord.”
    “By Jove, I believe you will.” The ghost of a smile crossed his face, and vanished. “Now, I am afraid we must discuss more practical matters. Prudence’s dowry.”
    Nick stifled a groan. He’d been dreading this discussion.
    “You know by now that ours is quite a large family.”
    “Indeed.”
    “It is true, my father was a duke. But as the youngest of twelve, I fear there was very little in the way of a fortune left by the time I came along. I am not a rich man, Parrish.”
    Nick breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God, he would not be saddled with an heiress.
    “And I have seven children of my own,” Lord Henry continued. “So I am afraid I have very little for Prudence. I set up an annuity for her some years ago. It only gives her about a hundred a year. And I am unable to provide a dowry for her of much more than that. To speak quite bluntly, I never thought she’d need one.”
    Lord, even her own father did not value her. “She does not need one,” Nick said, unable to control the edge of anger in his voice. On this matter, though, he intended to remain firm. “I certainly had not expected a dowry at all, considering the circumstances. I did not stage this morning’s events in order to get my hands on Pru’s money. I will not touch her annuity, of course. And I will accept no dowry, my lord.”
    Lord Henry’s brows rose sharply and his eyes grew wide with astonishment. “Why the devil not? I do not believe you are a man of great fortune.