Barbara Cartland - Enchanted

“Shut up, Harry!” the Duke ordered. “You are trying to make me regret that I accepted the Duke of Northallerton’s offer and tomorrow I am going to The Towers to ask his daughter formally for her hand in marriage.”

Harry Sheldon did not answer and after a moment the Duke went on,

“ Dammit , what is the alternative? You want me to marry. I have been nagged about it for years and now you are trying to put obstacles in my way. If I don’t marry Caroline Allerton, it will be some other unfledged schoolgirl.”

There was silence for a moment.

Then Harry said,

“But, of course, nobody else can offer you so much land.”

“Nobody. And whatever happens future generations of Chesters will undoubtedly bless me for the sacrifice I am making on their behalf.”

“Sacrifice? That is the right word!” Harry said. “Or shall I say that you are selling your freedom for a ‘mess of pottage’?”

“For ten thousand acres,” the Duke corrected him laconically.

“I have a feeling,” Harry said prophetically, “that you will be paying one way or another for every acre one by one.”

The Duke laughed.

“If I have any more of your gloomy predictions, I shall send you right back to London,” he said. “What you need is another glass of champagne! Oh, and I have forgotten to tell you, amongst my other guests there will be the delectable Marguerite who is arriving this evening especially for you.”

Harry Sheldon sat up and there was a sudden light in his eyes.

“She has accepted?”

“With alacrity!” the Duke replied, “and, hold your breath, she is coming alone. James is unfortunately detained on duty at Buckingham Palace.”

Harry Sheldon made a sound of undisguised exaltation.

“Silvanus, you are a Trojan! You have brought a new light and laughter into my life and one day I shall do the same for you.”

“I will hold you to that,” the Duke said. “God knows, if I am to become a married man, I may well need your help.”

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