Taming the Beast by Heather Grothaus Page B

possibility that I could inherit in his place.”
    â€œOh,” Michaela said, giddy that Alan considered her enough to confide this bit of close information.
    â€œThe stipulation is that he must marry a lady of good family before his thirtieth birthday.”
    â€œOh, my,” Michaela gasped, not really caring, but wanting to show Lord Alan that she found anything he said riveting.
    â€œThe problem is in this missive, and is clear to anyone who would read it, especially in light of Lady Juliette’s information. Apparently, my once-sought-after cousin is finding the bride search a bit more of a challenge than he likely thought it would be. May I?” Alan took the missive from her, shook it open, and began to skim with squinted eyes.
    â€œAnnouncement this day of…yes, yes—ah! ‘Any unmarried lady of good, titled family who is in want of a husband should immediately report to Cherbon Castle. If Lord Roderick Cherbon finds such a woman agreeable after a period of no more than ninety days and can come to a mutual agreement of marriage, upon their wedding she will be legally granted one-fifth of Cherbon’s holding to use at her own discretion. Please see Sir Hugh Gilbert upon arrival.’”
    Michaela felt her eyes widen. “That certainly is strange,” she said carefully.
    â€œDon’t you see?” Alan said, leaning forward on his stool, and Michaela caught her breath at his closeness. “No one will marry him now—he’s a beast! He’s trying to bribe his way to the inheritance!”
    â€œA beast?”
    â€œ A beast ,” Alan reiterated. “He slinks about the castle with a walking stick and in a long black cloak, keeping his face hidden. He’s frightened away each woman come to court him since his return to Cherbon. This missive only proves how close he is to losing the demesne.”
    â€œI see,” Michaela said, although she did not. “What has this to do with me?”
    â€œYour parents’ taxes aren’t the only ones in the land which can not be paid, Michaela,” Alan said with a wry smile, and her heart stopped beating for an instant when he used her given name. “If I do not inherit Cherbon, Roderick will demand my dues and I cannot pay him. This manor—your parents’ land—will be forfeited, and Elizabeth and I will lose you.”
    â€œOh my heavens!” Michaela gasped. “Oh, no! I can’t…” She stopped, took a deep breath. “What shall we do? You must inherit!”
    He gave her a smile that nearly made the shock of his dire announcement worth it. “I know. And I have come up with an idea that will allow you to stay with us forever, if you wish.”
    â€œOh, yes! Of course, I wish! Do tell, my lord.”
    â€œI have already set in motion plans for a grand feast at Tornfield in one month, and after that night, regardless of whether my cousin is successful in his search or not, we will be safe.” He paused. “Do you trust me, Michaela?” His words were like a caress.
    â€œYes,” she whispered.
    Alan leaned even closer to her over the tabletop. “Elizabeth can not lose you. I can not lose you. You do wish to stay with us, don’t you? Truly?”
    â€œI do, certainly, I do.” She leaned in as well, her bosom biting into the table’s edge, but she scarcely felt it. “More than anything.”
    His lips hovered a scant inch from hers. “As do I.”
    Alan’s head moved closer.
    Michaela leaned more heavily on the table and tilted her head.
    The table toppled onto its side, knocking both would-be kissers to the floor and spilling the candle onto the rug.
    Alan shouted, jumped to his feet nimbly, and stamped out the flames.
    Michaela wanted to die, right there on the floor.
    He helped her up with a shaky laugh. “Ah, well. Best not to get carried away in an improper manner, eh?”
    â€œHa-ha! Yes,”