Page 34 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"Father, sit down and tell me why you are so upset. I do not see–"
His father cut him off in the next instant. "That man should be in debtors' prison, not lounging about in my parlour eating up tea cakes to his heart's content." He sank into his chair, shaking his head in disgust.
"What are you talking about?" James asked, stilling.
"I will tell you. I showed that man mercy when I could have pressed charges. Yes, I even arranged the marriage of his daughter, who very well could have ended as a spinster if you had not come along. I gave him five thousand pounds to help him along, and what did he do? He wasted it!"
He let out a sardonic laugh.
"And he is likely here to ask for more. Knowing Lord Chesterfield, he has already squandered the sum I gave him in return for Caroline's hand for you."
James was shocked. He shook his head, unsure that he had heard his father correctly. "What are you saying? I thought that Lord Chesterfield gave you Pembroke as a dowry in exchange for Caroline's hand?"
"He did. But, you see, he had his own debts to take care of. I agreed to give him five thousand to help him get back on his feet." His father clasped his hands in front of him.
It was James' turn to start pacing. "Did he ask you for more money when he arrived?"
"Not yet. But you can bet that he will before he leaves or will ask his daughter for the money."
James was silent for a long moment. He wanted to help his father-in-law, but it would seem that giving more money was not the answer. Sometimes it did more harm than good to help a gambler. His father pinned him with a severe stare. "Are you going to give him money if he asks?"
James shook his head. "No. Perhaps it would be best to let him have a taste of desperation. It may be that the only way he overcomes this gambling habit is to do so the hard way."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them, for he heard a pained gasp and swung around to see Caroline backing away from the opened door.
She frowned and continued to back away before she turned around and ran down the hall. James lit out after her. He caught her at the end of the hall near the servants' entrance that led into the back stairwell. "Caroline. Caroline, wait!" he called. She did not stop, so he hurried after her, taking her arm.
She swung around, ready to fight him, it would seem. Caroline struggled against him, but he only pulled her closer into his chest. She had to understand. He had to make her understand. "Caroline, please."
"Let go of me!" she cried. He could see the tears running down her cheeks. "How dare you!"
She continued to struggle, but he was afraid to let her go. He was scared that she would never speak to him again if he let her go. "Caroline, I am sorry you had to hear that."
Caroline's head shot up. "Why? You did not want me to know that I was sold to you, like a common–" she faltered. "Like a common woman of the night?" she spat.
She might as well have slapped him across the face. "I did no such thing," he argued. She stopped struggling, but he still did not let her go.
She relaxed in his arms, hanging her head as if all the fight had gone out of her. Resting her hands against his chest, she laid her forehead in her palms. "I am such a fool," she said vehemently. "My father traded me for his thirty pieces of silver…" she said dully. "And now he is back to ask for more."
James raised a brow. "He asked you for more money?"
Caroline sniffed, meeting his gaze. He loosed one arm but kept the other around her middle. James wiped her tears away as best he could. She turned away, and he let go of her. Thankfully she only walked a few paces away to wipe her own tears. He let his hands fall to his sides. "Yes," she said truthfully.
A second later, she swung around, anger flashing in her eyes. "Did you even want to marry me? Or was this all just a business deal to you?" she accused.
James once again felt like she had slapped him and like all the air had gone out of his lungs. He had to be truthful with her.
"At first, I agreed to the marriage on my father's advice. He said it would be good for the family."
He stopped, the pain seeping into her eyes. "However, as I got to know you, I realised I wanted to marry you because of what a wonderful person you are. I–" he halted for a moment, wondering if this was the right time to confess his growing feelings for her.
He took a deep breath and let it out. Taking her hands, he decided to do the brave thing and tell her all. "I would do anything to make you happy, Caroline. I am falling in love with you. I have been for the last several weeks now."
She stilled, searching his gaze. The minutes seemed to stretch for hours as he waited, holding his breath. Would she have told him of her reciprocated feelings had it not come out like this?
Caroline took a shaky breath. "How long have you known about the five thousand pounds your father gave to mine?" she asked.
James straightened, letting go of her hands. "I only found out about that today, just as you did."
