Through Gypsy Eyes by Killarney Sheffield Page A

draw up the agreement and specify the amount of allowance you will settle on me.”
    He was quiet for a moment. “All the better, I shall tell the earl I want your dowry to remain in your hands. It alone is more than enough to keep you for the rest of your days.”
    The little voice in her head warned her to stop and consider the arrangement with due care and attention but she silenced the cries. “All right. See it is so.”
    • • •
    “There you are.”
    Delilah turned her head in the direction of the earl’s advance. “I was taking in the last of the summer sunshine.”
    His footsteps ceased and the air cooled as his form blocked the sunlight from her upturned face. “I just spoke with Baron March. Is it true?”
    She kept her voice calm and unconcerned. “Is what true?”
    Exasperation clipped his speech. “Have you accepted his suit then?”
    “Will it prevent you from throwing another insipid dinner party?”
    “Most assuredly.”
    “Then yes, as a matter of fact, I did.” Try as she might she couldn’t force a sincere smile to her lips.
    “I see.”
    Puzzled, she analyzed the strain in his voice. He did not seem very pleased. Is this not what he wanted? After all, he was assigned to see her wed.
    Before she could draw any conclusions he continued. “The baron has asked a special license be procured, so you may wed in two weeks’ time. Is this what you want?”
    Her stomach twisted into knots, yet she forced her lips to form the words she must. “Yes. It is.”
    A minute passed until a bird’s lone call broke the awkward silence. Did she miss his exit? She listened close. No, though very faint she could detect shallow breathing and the familiar minty scent of him. Why didn’t he say something? “My lord?”
    He cleared his throat. “Very well. I shall see to the details right away.” The sharpness in his quiet statement gave her pause. He was not happy with her choice. This time his steps were heavy as they receded toward the house. Should she call him back and inquire why he was not pleased? She shook her head. What did she care? Soon she would be rid of him and her life would be as it was before. It was what she wanted since he barged into her music room she told herself.
    It occurred to her that she failed to ask if he found the reason for the missing supplies and livestock yet. How was she to solve the mystery on her own? Perhaps the baron might assist her. On the other hand, if the baron took the bulk of her fortune, would it not be his problem to deal with? Why did things seem so complicated and … grim?

Chapter Thirteen
    “Miss Daysland?”
    Delilah sighed, her hands poised over the keys on the pianoforte. “I am practicing, Teresa.”
    “I am sorry to interrupt, miss, but Lord Frost sent me to summon you to the study.”
    Delilah thumped her fingers down in a discorded position on the keys, the horrible notes fitting her sour mood. “Whatever for?”
    “No idea, miss.”
    It was time to lay down the rules of her house as they were to the earl. The constant interruption of her routine was getting on her nerves. Had she not done as he wanted and accepted a suit? What could he want with her now? She rubbed her temples and stood.
I should be happy to have found a way to remain at Westpoint, so why am I so cross? I got what I wanted. The earl will soon be gone from my door and I will be left in peace. Alone. Perhaps alone was not exactly what I wanted …
    “Miss, shall I tell him you are indisposed?”
    “No, Teresa, there is no need.” Delilah marched from the room, her back ramrod straight, running her fingers along the wall to guide her way. As she neared the study the baron’s voice carried from within. She paused a few steps from the door.
    “Six weeks, Frost? That seems a rather long courtship for two people who have known each other since childhood. I was thinking more along the lines of a few days at most.”
    “Dare you question the king’s law? It will be two weeks at