Page 29 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
“Gabriel Nicholas Ogden Harris. You can see why everyone just usually calls me Whiddon.”
“I like Gabriel.” She smiled at him. “You will wish to talk to our family solicitor soon, as well.”
“Will I?”
She stiffened. “I do have a dowry. A bit of one. Two hundred pounds a year. I know it doesn’t sound like much to an earl.”
“Ah. Your money, and you couldn’t touch it, all this time?” He grinned. “I’ll wager it drove you crazy.”
“Not my money, precisely. But, yes. It’s driven me mad. A hundred times I’ve plotted what I could do if I could have got my hands on it.”
“I’ll have them turn it over to you. You won’t much need it, but it seems only right. I’ll see that you are given pin money. The household accounts should cover the rest.”
A wave of relief washed over her. Gratitude soon followed. Even if this marriage turned into a colossal failure, she would not be left in the same straits, with no choices. She knew she could do quite a bit for Anne and George with that annual income.
“Thank you again, my—” She stopped. “Gabriel.”
She stood and he hovered awkwardly a moment before he reached for her hand. Bending, he touched his lips to her bare skin—and they both froze.
Did he feel the same, stirring need in his belly?
“I’ll be in touch.”
As he left the room, she sank back down into her chair.
She was going to try. Shehadto try.
But she must go about this very, very carefully.
