Page 17 of Married to the Earl

“Then why did you let him go?” Henry hesitated. “He offered you something, didn’t he?”

He had gotten there much more quickly than Conor had anticipated.Henry always seems to know things.In a way, it was nice, and it was certainly useful on occasions like this. Conor was happy to be spared breaking that part of the news. He nodded.

“What did he offer?” Henry demanded. “Is he going to pay us back the money?”

“He can’t,” Conor said. “He already used it to pay down a debt he owes. That’s the only reason he took it from us in the first place, Henry. He was in debt, and he was desperate.”

“That doesn’t excuse stealing,” Henry said.

And people say I’m cold. Right now, Henry looked as though he was about to march out the front door of The Arc and down to the police station, whether Conor approved of his actions or not. Conor would have to do something to rein his friend in, before this got out of control.

Fortunately, he had the perfect distraction at hand. “He offered me his daughter,” he said.

“I don’t understand.” Henry shook his head. “He offered her for what?”

“For marriage.”

Henry stared at him. “You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not.”

“I was thinking perhaps you meant he offered to let his daughter work here.” He hooted. “Marriage! He’s going to let you marry his daughter!”

“Is that a bad idea, do you think?”

“Are you kidding? It’s a great idea! I’ve been worried about you finding someone to marry for ages.”

“Oh, thanks very much.”

“What’s the girl like?” Henry asked. “Is she pretty?”

“Yes.”

“And is she good company?”

“I don’t know,” Conor admitted. “We’ve never been officially introduced. I suppose if I agree to the proposal, I’ll have the opportunity to meet her in person.”

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” Henry said. “You’ve every right to meet with the girl before you make a decision, Conor. I think you should tell Dawson you want to meet her, and then you’ll make a decision.”

“What if he refuses?”

“He can’t refuse,” Henry said. “He’s trying to stay out of trouble with the law, and he knows you can turn him in if he makes things difficult for you.” He smiled, and Conor was reminded how conniving his friend could be when there was something he wanted. “You get to set the terms of this agreement.”

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” Conor said.

“How could it not be a good idea?” Henry laughed. “Can you imagine the look on O’Flannagan’s face when he realizes you found yourself a wife in the midst of all his slander?”

“My taking a wife isn’t going to stop him from trying to besmirch my name,” Conor said. “He’ll just find new things to say about me. And he’ll probably find things to say about her, too.”

“And that worries you?”

“The girl hasn’t done anything wrong,” Conor said. “Her father stole from me, butshedid nothing to offend. I wouldn’t want to see her reputation ruined by association with me.”

“You really are too soft hearted,” Henry said. “It’s ironic, given the gossip about you.”

“What’s wrong with being soft hearted?”

“In this instance? It’s going to stop you from doing what’s best for you,” Henry said. “You need to take a wife. Is there any woman you could marry who wouldn’t face gossip?”

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