Page 1 (1/2)

Part One

Before

One

March 18, 1809

45 Berkeley Square

The London residence of the Duke of Ashbrook

"You’ll have to marry her I don’t care if you think of her as a sister: from now on, she’s the Golden Fleece to you"

James Ryburn, Earl of Islay, and heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, opened his , but a mixture of fury and disbelief choked the words

His father turned and walked toward the far wall of the library, acting as if he’d said nothing particularly out of the ordinary "We need her fortune to repair the Staffordshire estate and pay a few debts, or we’re going to lose it all, this town house included"

"What have you done?" Ja through his limbs

Ashbrook pivoted "Don’t you dare speak toOne of his resolutions was totwenty--and that birthday was a ed "Exactly how did the estate come to be in such precarious straits? If you don’t " The duke stared back at his only son, his long, aquiline nose quivering with anger James came by his temper naturally: he had inherited it directly from his irascible, reckless father

"In that case, I will bid you good day," Ja downstairs to irl I turned down an offer for her hand this week from Briscott, who’s such a simpleton that I didn’t feel I need tell her mother But you know dairl to her e of the contents of Mr Saxby’s will," James stated "And I fail to see why that particular provision should cause you such annoyance"

"Because we need her daiving the unlit logs a kick "You must convince Theodora that you’re in love with her, or her ree to the match Just last week, Mrs Saxby inquired about a few of my investments in a manner that I did not appreciate Doesn’t knoo of the sort"

"You will do exactly as I instruct you"

"You’re instructinglady whowash! You may have rubbed noses a few ti with her"

"I cannot"

For the first time the duke looked a trifle sympathetic "Theodora is no beauty But all women are the same in the--"

"Do not say that," Jausted as well"

His father’s eyes narrowed and a rusty color rose in his cheeks, a certain sign of danger Sure enough, Ashbrook’s voice ely as sin, you’ll take her And you’ll make her fall in love with you Otherwise, you will have no country house to inherit None!"