Page 108 of The Truth About Lord Stoneville
“But she’s turning everything round all wrong,” Nathan protested. “Why would I propose marriage to Miss Kinsley when it would ruin my hope of ever owning New Bedford Ships?”
“Perhaps because those hopes were already ruined?” Mr. Pinter offered, a positively nasty look crossing his face. “Iunderstand that Mr. Kinsley had decided not to buy your ships after all.”
Nathan was having trouble breathing now. “That’s . . . that’s not true.”
“Papa said it was,” Miss Kinsley put in helpfully. “He told Mama he wasn’t sure of your ability to follow through. That’s why he didn’t want you coming around the house anymore.”
“And he was your last chance,” Mr. Pinter put in. “You didn’t know that Mr. Butterfield was dead, and without the deal you’d placed all your hopes in, you saw your future sunk with the Butterfields. He would have refused to allow you to marry his daughter, and you would have been stuck with only half the company, which did you no good since you couldn’t afford to purchase the other half.
“So your next best choice was to marry Miss Kinsley and her twenty thousand pounds. Unfortunately for you, Miss Kinsley knew better than to fall for your blandishments, since she had attended Mrs. Harris’s School for Young Ladies.”
When Oliver burst into laughter, Maria asked, “What’s that?”
Miss Kinsley straightened her shoulders. “It’s a school that teaches heiresses how to recognize fortune hunters. They warned us about elopements. ‘If a fellow can’t ask your papa for your hand properly,’ Mrs. Harris always said, ‘there’s a good chance his intentions are suspect.’ ”
“Aha!” Freddy said, twirling the sword at Nathan. “I should call you out, sir, for imposing upon Miss Kinsley!”
“For God’s sake,” Nathan mumbled, “you’re all mad.”
“And when Miss Kinsley didn’t agree to run off with you,” Mr. Pinter went on, “and Miss Butterfield showed up here to inform you of her father’s death, you decided to pick up where you had left off with her.”
“Except that I am no fool, either,” Maria said.
“So you tried to bully her.” Oliver’s eyes glittered as he came to her side. “I wouldn’t blame her if shediddecide to bring a breach of promise suit against you. She might even win the other half of her father’s company.”
When Nathan looked positively weak in the knees, Maria said, “It’s not worth my trouble. You may keep that, Nathan, since you actually earned it. Maybe you can even find another heiress to provide you with the blunt to buy the other half.”
Her voice hardened. “But whatever your decision, you’d best make it quick. I have waited quite long enough for my money. If I don’t hear from you or your attorney by next week, I’ll be forced to hire one of my own. You can find me at Halstead Hall in Ealing, where I’ve been staying.”
She looked up at Oliver. “Now, my lord, I should like to go home.”
“Certainly, my dear.” Giving her his arm, he led her out.
When they all emerged into the street, Freddy offered to walk Miss Kinsley home. As the two walked off, Maria turned to Mr. Pinter. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done, sir.”
“You can add my thanks to that,” Oliver surprised her by saying.
“I merely found the man,” Mr. Pinter said. “Freddy discovered all the pertinent information.”
The three of them glanced down the street to where Miss Kinsley was clinging to Freddy’s arm and gazing up at him adoringly.
“Now there’s a match made in heaven,” Mr. Pinter added.
“Or in a pie shop,” Maria quipped. “Though it doesn’t sound as if Mr. Kinsley is the sort of father to approve of Freddy as a suitor.”
“You never know,” Oliver remarked. “Freddy will be cousin to a marchioness, after all. That might tip the scales in his favor.”
Mr. Pinter swung a solemn gaze to Oliver. “So you were sincere about offering marriage to Miss Butterfield.”
“Utterly sincere.” Oliver covered her hand with his. “If she’ll have me. I can offer her little, considering what a wreck I’ve made of my life until now. But I love her.”
The Bow Street runner gave a faint smile. “Well, that’s the important thing, isn’t it?”
“It certainly is,” Maria said. “As soon as I receive my money, Mr. Pinter, I’ll happily pay whatever fee you require. I’ll recommend you to all my friends, as well.”
Oliver squeezed her hand, then glanced at Mr. Pinter. “Actually, I’d like to hire you myself, Pinter. If you’ll come out to the estate sometime next week, we can discuss it.”
“As you wish, my lord,” Mr. Pinter said.
