Ryan turned to look at him then. “You’d give me the boat simply because I marry your daughter?”
“Yes.”
“What the hell is going on, Hepworth? What’s wrong with her? Why such a huge dowry?”
“As I mentioned, I had my eye on you for a long time as a prospective husband but knew I had to have something of great value to offer in the way of a dowry. Men like you don’t come along too often.”
Ryan narrowed his eyes, not swayed in the least by the older man’s praise of his person. “Is she unstable? A bit cuckoo upstairs perhaps?”
The stout man’s eyes widened. “Pardon me?”
“Is she crazy? Deranged? Feeble-minded?”
“No, no, no, none of that.”
“Come on then, she’s obviously very beautiful so there must be some reason you are having troubles marrying her off. And I don’t entirely buy this “too many daughters” notion. She got a mouth on her? Too lippy? Is she difficult?”
“No!” Clive exclaimed. “She is the sweetest lass. Most agreeable.”
“Beautiful and agreeable? And you can’t find her a proper husband the old-fashion way?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Ryan shook his head not believing him. “You’re not telling me something. What is it?”
“She is my youngest and last child to marry. All of her sisters’ hands have been claimed already. The misses and I, well we’d like to get on with our retirement, spend the remainder of our years just the two of us. It’s mighty crowded in this small house.” He paused as if contemplating how much he could reveal. “And, well, Evelina, she keeps to herself and is not very social.”
“She’s shy?”
“Yes, you could say that,” Clive conceded.
Ryan exhaled, having nailed the problem down, however thought there could be worst fates to befall a single young woman than being an introvert. Still…
“I’m not sure, Clive. I mean, geez, marriage is a big commitment. And I wouldn’t make a very good husband. After all, I plan to travel the world with the Lady Evelina. There’s no room on it for two.”
“Of course there’s plenty of room but who’s to say you must drag your wife and children around with you. I spent thirty years on the waters and came back every weekend to a family and a home. Life is meaningless if you don’t have loved ones waiting for you.”
Ryan thought of his own family and admittedly knew Clive’s words carried some weight. Though he loved them dearly, they didn’t quite fulfill that desire to return home. He had thought Erika, his brother’s now wife, might have been the one to fulfill that void but he had always known that her heart belonged to Jay and not Ryan. Not that it had bothered Ryan, for he knew he could never love Erika or any other woman the way a man does a wife. The way Jay loved Erika.
“Who’s to say we’ll even get along? I don’t even know the woman.”
Seeing Ryan beginning to bend, Clive offered. “I’ll give you a month to get to know one another. If at the end, you decide you want nothing to do with her, you are free to back out of our wager. However, if you grow to love her, then the Lady Evelina is yours on your wedding day. Both the boat and my daughter.”
When he seemed doubtful, Clive continued. “Evelina is the kindest, sweetest creature you’ll ever have meet. Everyone falls in love with her upon meeting her. You will too.”
Ryan thought of the beautiful woman waiting in the other room and didn’t doubt that was partially true. However, he had no interest in forming any sort of bond. He had one goal and one goal only. There was no likelihood of him falling in love as far as he was concerned. A thought suddenly occurred to him.
“I’d like to speak to her alone if you don’t mind.”
Clive looked slightly alarmed then quickly fixed a smile on his face. “Of course. Wait here, I’ll fetch her.”
As he waited, Ryan thought over the conversation. It wasn’t such a bad offer. True, it was wrong on Clive’s part to manipulate him and Ryan would have been much happier to claim the Lady Evelina and be on his way. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t have surprised him that the boat would have been released to him so easily. Of course, there would have been stipulations. Ryan wasn’t sure he could fulfill those stipulations but he had a month to find out. Being married to a woman he did not love wouldn’t be all that difficult, he conceded. Particularly if he spent most of his days out at sea and apart from his new bride.
“Hello.” A small voice behind him drew him out of his musings.
He turned to find her standing tentatively in the entrance watching him cautiously. Her blue eyes drew him in for a split second once again before he thought to speak.
“Please come in and shut the door.”
She did as commanded but hardly moved, choosing to stay rooted in front of the door. In case she needed to flee? Ryan frowned, wondering what type of man she thought he was. Indeed, what type of man betted on the hand of a woman in marriage he did not even know. Though in Ryan’s case, he had no idea he was making that wager.
“My name is Ryan, by the way.” He stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “I don’t believe our introductions were fully finished before I, uh–well, how do you do, miss?”
She took his hand very gently and hardly put any strength into the handshake. Her hand felt very small and frail mirroring her entire persona.
“I know who you are.”
His brows shot up. “You do? Then you are aware of your father’s, er, goals the other night?”
“Yes. I have for some time now.”
“And is that with your blessing?”
She held his gaze. “I trust my father knows what is best for me.”
“That wasn’t what I asked. Are you in agreeance with him?”
“Of course.” Her voice fell flat and unconvincing.
“You approve then?”
She hesitated then turned the tables, “Are you unhappy with your winnings, sir?”
Taken aback, he shook his head. “No, not exactly, just surprised.”
When she arched a brow, he said, “Your father chose to refrain from telling me that it was his daughter, Evelina, and not his boat, Lady Evelina, I was gambling on.”
“Oh.” She looked all at once stricken and even a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, he has decided to refrain from informing you of that small tidbit as well.”
“I see.”
“Your father has schemed his way into getting you a husband and though I wholeheartedly disapprove, I can, in small part, understand his motives. Not being a father myself, let alone to six daughters, it is hard to comprehend his strategy, though I suppose I can somewhat understand them.”
Her eyes shifted and gave him her full attention.
“He’s offered me a deal that is slightly less immoral and one that has me intrigued enough to reconsider.”
He glanced at her and waited for a response. When none came forthwith, he went on. “However, I would like confirmation that the female in question would also be persuaded to chance it and more importantly, interested. I do not wish to force your hand if you are not so inclined.”
“What has he offered?”
“A month for us to get to know one another.”
“Oh.” A flicker of alarm lit her eyes surprising Ryan.
“I’m sorry, but I refuse to marry a woman I do not even know simply for a materialistic gain.”
“Very well.” She replied stiffly.
He frowned. “You disapprove?”
“Of course not, sir.”
“I’d hardly think you would prefer to marry a stranger.”
“No, sir.”
He paused. “Why have you agreed to this? You are a very attractive female. Surely there are men lining up wanting your hand in marriage.”
Her gaze returned to him but nothing revealing showed in their depths. “You assume wrong.”
Her speech was unhurried and deliberate, each word was enunciated slowly and clearly. Unlike Ryan who spoke
quickly and with flourish.
“You don’t say much.”
“Indeed, sir.”
“Why’s that?”
She paused then said, “You seem fully content to dominate the conversation, sir.”
He chuckled. No one had ever accused him of that before but he was certain many could. It made him laugh to hear this woman, who he had just met, recognize that about his character straight off.
“Please, call me Ryan.”
She nodded.
Then when she didn’t reiterate the offer, he asked, “May I call you Evelina?”
“If you wish.”
“It’s a very unusual name.”
“So is Ryan,” she snapped back.
It surprised him but he was glad to see the woman had spirit. He was beginning to think she was emotionless. “It’s from my mother’s side of the family. The O’Ryans immigrated to America from Ireland at the turn of the century. She named me after them.”
“Your mother is American?”
“Yes, she met my father while teaching in Canada.”
She nodded, paused and then said, “My father was a fan of Fanny Burney’s book, Evelina.”
“I don’t think I’ve read that one.”
“It’s a historical romance.”
He smiled and nodded his head. “Your father is a romantic at heart.”
She did not smile in return.
He cleared his throat and glanced about. “What say I return tomorrow and we take a stroll along the pier?”
“I don’t enjoy walking.”
“Oh, well, I could hire a coach and have it take us to Waterworks Park, it’s rather beautiful this time of year—”
“I don’t like crowds.”
He chuckled, “I hardly think there will be any crowds—”
“I don’t like the outdoors.”
He outright laughed that time. “I do believe you are trying to thwart my attempts at courting.”
“Believe what you wish.”
His brows drew together as he studied her closely then sighed. “All right. Then perhaps we could take a nice solitary drive along the river in an enclosed coach—”
“I never leave home.”
“You what?”
“Never leave home.”
“You never leave home?”
“No.”
“That’s ludicrous—” He stopped himself short when he noticed a pained expression cross her face. “I’m sorry, what I meant was perhaps you could make an exception this time.”
“I have no desire to leave the house.”
Ryan frowned. “Do you not ever go out to parties, or dancing, or shopping? Favorite pastimes of many young females of your age.”
“No.”
“No, you don’t, or no you do not wish to?”
“I enjoy crocheting and reading.”
Ryan frowned. “How will we get to know one another if you refuse to be courted?”
She did not answer his question. Instead, she said, “I shall be here tomorrow if you care to stop by for another visit.”
Ryan lifted his hands and rubbed his eyes, suddenly extremely tired. He’d never met anyone who was more vexing. “Fine. Tomorrow I shall pop in for a visit.”
She nodded and then turned to go.
“Evelina?”
She glanced back.
“Perhaps you can try to relax. I don’t bite. As a matter-of-fact, you may actually come to like me. Many folks do. But you will need to put down your guard.”
She looked slightly pained and he suspected he had insulted her but she turned away and made her way out of the room without another word.
Chapter 3
“Oh my, you have chosen a fine young man for Evelina, Clive dear,” May gushed to her husband as she peered through the drawing room’s curtains to watch Ryan Colby walk away from the house.
Evelina closed the pocket doors behind her and sighed. “He wasn’t all that handsome,” she lied. In fact, she had never seen a more agreeable looking man before in her life. Hence was the problem.
“Oh don’t be coy, Evie,” her oldest sister Victoria cooed. “If my hand wasn’t already taken, I’d be a very proud woman to call that man my husband.”
“He’s not my husband.” She made her way to her favorite settee and sat down. “Nor likely will be.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, the man won you fair and square.” May pointed out.
Evelina glanced at her father who rightfully turned away ashamed. “Apparently, he was not aware of that.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. He came to the house to claim your hand.”
“No, mother, he came to claim Papa’s boat.”
“What is she talking about, Clive?”
“Well, I suppose there was a bit of a misunderstanding.”
“What type of misunderstanding, Clive?”
“Ryan Colby is a fine decent young man. I have had my eye on him for years now. I would have happily chosen him for any one of you girls long before. However, he had been courting a strikingly beautiful gentleman’s daughter back in his home country for a long while.”
Evelina could easily picture Ryan Colby with a beautiful woman on his side. Hardly a little mouse such as herself.
“However, it wasn’t until recently that I learned she married his brother. Once I realized Ryan was now available, I quickly made plans to, er, convince him to marry my sweet little lady.”
He smiled at Evelina and she couldn’t help but smile in return to the endearment he had labeled her with ever since she was a child. A name derived from the fact she was the youngest and smallest of his five daughters. She and her father were close and loved each other dearly. Perhaps it was because she was the baby, or their shared love of books, or their love of the water, she wasn’t entirely certain, but he was not as close to his other daughters as he was with her. He even named his boat after her.
“Oh dear,” May exclaimed, clutching her chest suddenly. “What have you done, Clive?”
“Well, I, he was—”
“He’s given him a month to back out.” Evelina helped her father out and informed her family. “If Mr. Colby decides he doesn’t fancy me or find me wanting, he is free to walk away from the wager.”
“Oh, Clive, how could you!”
“He will be sure to fall in love with Evie, what man wouldn’t.”
“Apparently many,” she muttered.
“Everyone loves Evelina, he will learn to love her too.”
“Learn to love me? How unromantic that sounds.”
“Now, Evie, don’t talk foolish. You ought to be grateful to have a man as Ryan Colby as your husband.”
She sighed. “Of course.”
It would be unrealistic of her to even conceive the notion that romance could ever be a part of her courtship.
“But a month, Clive? That is far too long. He will be sure to find out the truth about Evelina.”
“He will not. I am confident of that. We have kept it a secret for many years now so I am certain one more month will not be difficult. He will discover the truth on their wedding night, and by then it will be too late.”
Evelina hated how scheming the entire thing sounded. A part of her, the moral part, wanted to tell him. However, she knew the moment she did, he would turn tail and run as fast as he could. As had so many other suitors done in the past. The fact was, as her father continually pointed out, Evelina wasn’t getting any younger. If she were to snare a husband at all, it would have to be soon or be too late.
There was also the smallest flicker of fear that the man, himself, was the reason why she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. This suitor was different. Yes, admittedly, he was far more handsome than any other suitors, either for herself or for her sisters. She could understand the reason for their jealousy and Evelina felt a tinge of selfishness knowing she, at last, would be the benefactor of something better than her five older and more beautiful sisters.
But her elation did not l
ast long for she knew that her father gave the man the chance to renounce Evelina. And she was certain he would. She didn’t know if she was as confident as her father was in regards to withholding her secret from the man in question. If he planned to court her daily, she would be hard pressed to keep him from finding out. And once he did, he would surely eliminate Evelina as a possible mate. For an impeccable gentleman such as Ryan Colby, wouldn't want a flawed wife.
* * *
The next day as promised, Ryan Colby returned to the house. Clive received him and showed him to the drawing room where Evelina and her sisters sat working on their needlework. At his arrival in the entranceway, all five females stood except for Evelina. Ryan grimaced inwardly noticing her blatant snub. Apparently, she was not going to make this easy. He nodded to the sisters and they all returned to their seats. It was considered improper for a man to be left alone with a woman he barely knew, so it did not surprise him when they all remained.
He turned to Evelina and plastered a huge smile on his face. He knew it to be false but it had fooled many before and he had no doubt it would fool her as well. He was confident in no time he would win her over. Perhaps even before the month was up. The sooner he convinced her that marriage to him was not such a bad idea, the sooner he could collect his winnings and sail home.
“Good afternoon, Evelina.”
She glanced up and offered a brief nod. “Mr. Colby.”
He took note of her formal use of his name. She seemed more aloof than yesterday.
“I was wondering if perhaps you would care to take a stroll with me down the pier walk?”
“It looks like it will rain.”
“Hardly,” he chuckled, glancing out a nearby window to the cloudless sky.
“I do not wish to go for a walk.”
“Well, we don’t have to go for a walk. We could sit on the pier and watch the ships sail out of the harbor.”
“No, thank you.”
He frowned. “Would you prefer to enjoy the beach—?”
“I prefer not going anywhere.”
He paused and glanced at her sisters who swiftly looked away, pretending not to eavesdrop. “Well then, if you would rather, we could sit outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and your mother’s lovely garden.”
Lady and the Gamble: A Sweet Victorian Romance (The Colby Brothers Book 2) Page 3
