A Marriage Made in Mayfair by Tamara Gill Page B

exactly that—fallen for a man who was only after one thing.
    Her wealth.
    Suzanna met Lord Danning’s gaze. “Are you penniless?”
    He reached for her hand, and Suzanna pulled away. He ran a hand through his hair and glared at her brother. “For years I have been trying to stop my brother from gambling and living a life of ill repute. But, alas, such actions were of no use. He continued to live a life well beyond his means.”
    “To keep the family name from being tarnished, I paid all the debts he accumulated. I continued to pay his bills and living expenses wherever they arose, here in England or on the continent. But the sum he owed your brother was too much. I could not pay it. I myself am to blame also. I have a tendency to love horseflesh, racing, and carriages. Not to mention my estate in Rome costs a fortune to upkeep while remaining empty for years on end. I admit I have not been wise with the Danning fortune.”
    “I’ve sold everything not entailed but it has barely dented the debt.” Lord Danning sat forward in his chair and faced her. Suzanna looked at the floor, unable to look at him.
    “I requested an extension from your brother, asking for time and received a curt and immovable refusal from his solicitor.”
    Suzanna looked at Henry and noted the hardened look of a man hell-bent on revenge. Bile rose in her throat.
    “It is true, Suzanna,” Lord Danning continued, “I was advised at the beginning of the season to marry an heiress. And it is exactly what I set out to do until I saw you back in London and looking as delightful as ever. I fell in love with you again.” Lord Danning stood and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “The night I shunned you was the night I found out my brother owed your brother a sum I knew I could not pay. I was in a temper and lashed out. You just happened to be the unfortunate person to encounter me at such an importune time. I apologized for my behaviour and ill humour before, and I will do so again. You did not deserve it.”
    Suzanna swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back tears.
    “Yet you still lie, Lord Danning. For months you have been gloating over the love my sister has held for you. Do not deny this. I imagine the idea of my own family’s money paying off your debt to me filled your heart with selfish glee.”
    “Money and debt aside, you have never liked me, March, and out-maneuvering you was not my aim. My financial situation did not change how I feel. I welcomed Suzanna’s love and nothing in my past changes the fact I love her in return.”
    Suzanna looked from one to the other, not knowing whom to believe, nor wanting to listen to any more of this sordid story.
    Time. She needed time to figure out what her heart and mind were warring about. Did Lord Danning love her or her money? That her brother would seek such revenge on any man was a sobering thought. This was certainly not the way they had been raised.
    Time .
    She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. But her heart still raced. “Lord Danning, in light of what has been said this day, I’m sorry but I cannot marry you.”
    Henry smiled. “I guess you should be leaving as it appears your business with our family is over, Lord Danning.”
    “Shut up, Henry,” Suzanna snapped.
    Lord Danning clasped her shoulders. “Don’t do this, Suzanna. If you believe I would marry you only for your money we can have the marriage settlement signed over to you. In fact, shun your family’s wealth and marry me as penniless as I am. But do not refuse to be my wife. I love you—only you and not your money.”
    Suzanna bit her lip, her mind a whir of thoughts. She shook her head. “I cannot. I need time to think. I’m sorry.”
    Without a backward glance, she fled the room. The despair on Lord Danning’s face broke her heart. Yet was it the pain of losing her or a pain brought out by the fact he no longer stood to inherit her thousands of pounds?
    That she could not answer.

 
     
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