To Marry A Matchmaker (Historical Romance) by Michelle Styles Page A

do.’
    Robert allowed the deliberate insult to flow over his head. ‘I have a letter for you from my ward.’
    ‘Since when have you taken to reading others’ post, Montemorcy?’ Cawburn smirked. ‘Such a thing mustbe beneath even you and your limited pretension to gentility.’
    ‘I’ve not read it,’ Robert replied between clenched teeth and after he had counted to ten. He refused to give Cawburn the satisfaction. ‘Nor did I dictate it.’
    ‘You haven’t.’ Cawburn snorted. ‘I don’t believe you. You are one of those people who are not content until they can control everything. Always twisting facts and circumstances to suit your purposes.’
    ‘As you would see, if you took the time to examine it, the seal remains intact.’
    Robert tossed the letter in the air. Cawburn snatched it.
    Cawburn turned the letter over, tested the seal and frowned. ‘What made you change your mind?’
    ‘Your cousin,’ Robert replied shortly. ‘Lady Thorndike convinced me that your intentions are honourable. I’m giving you the chance to prove it. Abide by Sophie’s wishes. Keep her in the bosom of her family.’
    ‘Good old Henrietta! I knew she wouldn’t let me down.’
    ‘You asked your cousin to intercede? To play matchmaker?’ Robert gave a silent laugh. Henri had succumbed. She had been unable to resist matchmaking, but she also had sought to hide the slip from him. Was it any wonder she wanted a truce?
    Cawburn blanched slightly. ‘Entirely innocent, old man. Could I ever live it down if Henrietta arranged a match for me? Good God, man, I know what my cousin is like! She’d never let me forget it! I merely wanted to know if there was any chance for me…after what happened. To know Miss Ravel’s state of mind. And now, my angel has written.’
    Robert’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Cawburn’s word tallied with Henri’s.
    ‘Your cousin suffered a mauled leg while carrying out your
innocent
errand. We are awaiting the doctor’s verdict to see how badly sprained her ankle is.’
    ‘Henrietta has a knack of looking after herself. She hates a fuss.’ Cawburn gave a little wave of his hand, dismissing Henri’s injury. ‘And I thank you for the letter. It is most unexpectedly decent of you. Not the sort of thing I’d have thought a Cit capable of.’
    ‘If you wish to court my ward, you pay court properly.’ Robert crossed his arms.
    ‘Properly?’ Cawburn picked at his cuff. Robert detected a slight fraying of the cuff and the stock. He knew that he had put pressure on Cawburn’s lenders, but had not seen any sign until now. The man was short of funds and saw Sophie as an easy mark. And it was his firm belief that any woman Cawburn married would be bled dry.
    ‘You apply for my permission first as I’m Sophie’s guardian. I am more than happy to give it to anyone, even you, if certain conditions are met. Otherwise you will have to wait until Miss Ravel obtains her majority. Are you prepared to wait that long for funds, Cawburn?’
    ‘Why should love be dependent on whether one’s friends and relations approve?’ Cawburn shook his head in mock despair. ‘It is not the way I do things, Montemorcy. I believe in liberty and freedom of expression. One cannot dictate where or when love will happen.’
    Robert retained a leash on his temper. The only creed that Cawburn believed in was the pursuit of pleasure. He knew nothing about responsibility or living within his means. His estate was mortgaged to the hilt and hehad recently lost heavily on the gaming table. Once he’d learnt of Cawburn’s interest in Sophie, Robert had made it his business to buy up some of the debts as they had potential for a bargaining chip.
    ‘Have you found a way around your debts? You have an estate that is entailed and mortgaged beyond prudence. You spent the money not on improvements, but on the games and women.’
    ‘Miss Ravel is well provided for. The extent of her dowry was much discussed in London.’ Cawburn