Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero Read Online Free

instead?”
    “Miss Jones?” Griffin asked quizzically, not able to recall exactly who this Miss Jones was to whom Benedict was referring.
“Yes, Miss Jones, the lady my wife was conversing with at the ball last night. The lady you took an inordinate amount of interest in. I’m sure she would be pleased to be pursued by such a prize as yourself.”
    Griffin groaned, thinking of the unattractive spinster. No, he certainly did not want to be wed to her either.
    “Well, what say you man? Would you rather marry Lady Adel or Miss Jones?”
    “How kind of you to give me a choice,” Griffin spat out sarcastically.
    “What can I say? I’m feeling generous, I suppose.”
    The room fell silent as Griffin contemplated his choice. Truly it wasn’t much of a choice, seeing as how there was no way he could ever consider being romantic with Miss Jones. With Lady Adel that was different at least, but though he might be able to entertain thoughts of bedding her, wedding her was an entirely different matter altogether. That was simply asking too much.
    There was no doubt in his mind that he was attracted to Lady Adel, for this morning’s dream proved just that, but though he found her physically alluring, her personality left much to be desired. She was stubborn and independent and had made it clear on more than one occasion that his attempts to help protect her from unwanted suitors was not welcomed or appreciated. How could he marry someone who couldn’t appreciate his wisdom, someone who wouldn’t submit easily to his council? Why couldn’t Benedict have chosen a sweet and biddable woman to be his wife?
    He hadn’t realized that he posed that last question aloud until Benedict responded with a loud guffaw. “Because, my friend, a sweet and biddable wife would have her spirit crushed under the enormity of your vanity and pride. There is not a sweet and biddable woman alive that I would wish that upon. No, your strong personality needs an equally strong woman to contend with it. I think Lady Adel will be an exemplary match for you.”
    “You don’t even know her,” Griffin countered.
    “Indeed I do not, but from what I have seen, I like her immensely. I am retracting my earlier offer of giving you a choice—Lady Adel it will be.”
    Griffin groaned as he thrust his head into his hands and stared at the Oriental rug beneath his feet. “What are the conditions of the bet?” he grumbled.
    “This isn’t a bet, so the conditions are limited. I know you will do the honorable thing, so I have no need to threaten or blackmail you.”
    Griffin inwardly cringed at the mention of blackmail, for he still felt guilty for using the knowledge of Benedict’s father’s bastard child as blackmail in order to get him to satisfy the conditions of the wager he himself had issued.
    Benedict continued, “My only condition is that you are engaged by the end of the season. And, seeing as how that is just around the corner, I suggest you make haste.”
    Benedict rose from his chair and made to leave, pausing just long enough to pat the top of Griffin’s head and say, “I wish you the best of luck.”
    I don’t need luck, Griffin thought as he listened to Benedict’s retreating footsteps. I need a blasted miracle. For surely that was the only way he’d ever get Lady Adel to agree to become his bride.

Chapter 3
    Adel’s eyes fluttered open as a sliver of early morning sunlight danced across her face. Reaching her hands high above her head, she stretched before throwing her legs over the edge of the bed and rising. Walking over to the window, she parted the thick curtains with one hand and glanced at the abandoned street below. It was far too early for anyone to be up and about, but Adel had become quite fond of the early morning hours when everything in her world seemed peaceful, where she wasn’t expected to keep up a cheery pretense for anyone, where she could simply be herself.
    Slipping quietly from her room, she pulled her wrapper