Page 2 of The Earl's Heiress
“You have heard my position on the matter many times. I am at a loss as to why you continue to bother me,” Temple said, his tone clipped.
The countess sniffed, clearly affronted. “You know the state of our finances, Temple. Soon, everyone else will as well. That is the reason I pressure you so, and yet you blame me for it!”
“This is my responsibility, and I will address it,” he replied firmly.
“How, pray tell?”
“Through hard work,” he said, turning away. He stared at the side gardens, their orderly rows a sharp contrast to the chaos he felt within.
“You are being wretchedly stubborn! Why do you refuse to heed my advice on this matter?Why?”
Temple remained silent. His father’s reckless mismanagement of the estate weighed heavily on him, as did the rumors it had fueled. For reasons Temple could never understand, his father had kept him at arm’s length in business matters, offering only limited responsibility. It was as though his father had deliberately withheld the reins of power, exerting control even as the estate spiraled into financial jeopardy.
Thehaut tonhad seized upon this dynamic, spinning their own malicious tales. According to the drawing-room gossip, Temple had clashed with his father over an increased allowance and killed him in a fit of rage to claim the earldom and its wealth.Outrageous lies, yet they persisted, whispered in shadows and echoed in every ballroom.
Temple’s hands clenched at his sides. Even now, the sting of those baseless accusations burrowed under his hardened exterior, pricking him in ways he loathed to admit. Behind him, the countess sighed—a sound she rarely made. She often remarked that only the poor and hopeless sighed as if the very act signified surrender. The corner of Temple’s mouth twitched with faint amusement.
“I know you don’t wish to hear this, son, but it must be said nonetheless,” she began, her tone soft but unyielding. “Last season, you showed an interest in Lady Helena. It occurred to me last night that she might be the reason you’re so opposed to the solutions I have offered. However, it is unlikely that her family will accept your proposal now, not after the scandal. Surely you know this. You must dispel the notion that they will make an exception for you. In this life, one cannot always have what they want.”
Temple’s expression remained stoic, though her words struck a chord. “I’m well aware that a union with Lady Helena is in doubt.”
While it was unlikely, he refused to consider it impossible. He had no intention of giving up until he had spoken to Lady Helena herself. He needed to know how she felt.
The countess seemed to take his response as acquiescence. “I’m pleased to hear you recognize the futility of such efforts because I have a proposition.”
“Mother—”
“Will you listen to it?”
Temple turned to face her, lifting a brow. He hated to see the strain in her eyes. “A proposition?”
“Yes.” Her tone quickened, betraying her excitement. “I have someone in mind whom I believe would be suitable. Ihave written to the family, and they are very grateful for the connection our family represents.”
Temple crossed his arms, suppressing the urge to dismiss his mother. He already knew he would not abandon his hopes for Lady Helena. A year and a half had passed since his father’s death, and the family was out of mourning. He intended to go to London for the season, where he would see her again. “And who might that be?” he asked with polite disinterest.
“Mr. Henry Anderson and his family have recently arrived in England,” his mother said.
Temple frowned. “I’m not familiar with Mr. Anderson.”
“You wouldn’t be,” the countess replied, lifting her chin. “He is American.Embarrassinglywealthy, from what I hear. He made his fortune mining gold in California before settling in Boston. Now, he’s come to England with his daughter, who will be presented this season. She needs a title, Temple. And we need their fortune. I don’t need to tell you how advantageous such a union would be. I daresay you should woo her.”
Temple scoffed openly. “An American?”
“Yes, an American,” she said sharply. “Don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. She would bring a dowry large enough to stabilize our estate and then some. And if what I’ve heard is true, she’s quite lovely. Surely you could set aside your pride long enough to secure the future of Stanford.”
Temple said nothing for a moment, his thoughts warring between exasperation and amusement. “We shall see,” he said at last, though his tone left no room for hope.
The countess pursed her lips as though debating whether to press the issue further. Finally, she rose from her seat, smoothing her skirts with deliberate grace.
“Consider it, Temple. For once, put your responsibilities above your stubbornness. Miss Anderson is perfect for your needs.”
“Do you know her character, Mother?”
His mother hesitated. “It has no bearing on your decision. I assure you, her family will not be interested in the man beneath the title. Only thetitleis important.”
Something inside his chest grew cold. Another title hunter, desperate to climb the social ladder of a society he found increasingly tiresome. No doubt the heiress had heard of the successes of her predecessors—American women who married into the peerage and gained wealth, prestige, and titles.
“Your expression is filled with such disdain,” the countess said, her tone clipped. “Need I remind you that we cannot turn up our noses? Look at the Duke and Duchess of Grantham. Their marriage has been exceedingly successful, and need I point out that the duchess is also American?”
