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    A Husband for Steel and Blood: Marrying Men, #3
    A Husband for Steel and Blood: Marrying Men, #3
    A Husband for Steel and Blood: Marrying Men, #3
    Ebook190 pages2 hours

    A Husband for Steel and Blood: Marrying Men, #3

    By Hollis Shiloh

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    About this ebook

    When a young girl implores Edgar Finch to marry her older brother because "Charlie is unhappy," Edgar is at first amused.  But Charlie is nephew to the horribly abusive Lord Fitzhannon, whom Edgar has set himself against, and the lad is suffering under Fitzhannon's cruelty.  

    Marriage is not in Edgar's plans, but he'll save the lad if he can—and marriage may be his one shot.  Charlie is nineteen, wild and wounded, and extraordinarily beautiful.  The marriage of convenience to Edgar is just what he needs to get free of his awful uncle, and to protect his innocent little sisters.  

    A rocky alliance between Edgar and Charlie grows into something more companionable, from reluctantly relying on one another to trusting and warm.  But Edgar's heart is set on revenge against Fitzhannon, who is responsible for the death of the only man he ever loved.  Nothing must get in his way.  

    He would rather not drag his young husband down with him, much less develop feelings for the brat.  Now, if only Charlie would have the good sense not to fall in love with him...


    37,500 words

    A "Marrying Men" story. These pseudo-historical tales feature men marrying one another in various worlds and ways. Happy ending are to be expected.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSpare Words Press
    Release dateSep 12, 2018
    ISBN9781386800279
    A Husband for Steel and Blood: Marrying Men, #3

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      Book preview

      A Husband for Steel and Blood - Hollis Shiloh

      About the story:

      When a young girl implores Edgar Finch to marry her older brother because Charlie is unhappy, Edgar is at first amused.  But Charlie is nephew to the horribly abusive Lord Fitzhannon, whom Edgar has set himself against, and the lad is suffering under Fitzhannon's cruelty. 

      Marriage is not in Edgar's plans, but he'll save the lad if he can—and marriage may be his one shot.  Charlie is nineteen, wild and wounded, and extraordinarily beautiful.  The marriage of convenience to Edgar is just what he needs to get free of his awful uncle, and to protect his innocent little sisters. 

      A rocky alliance between Edgar and Charlie grows into something more companionable, from reluctantly relying on one another to trusting and warm.  But Edgar's heart is set on revenge against Fitzhannon, who is responsible for the death of the only man he ever loved.  Nothing must get in his way. 

      He would rather not drag his young husband down with him, much less develop feelings for the brat.  Now, if only Charlie would have the good sense not to fall in love with him...

      37,500 words

      A Husband for Steel and Blood

      by Hollis Shiloh

      Sir, there is an unaccompanied young woman here to see you.  A very young woman.  Steggins arched one of his impressive brows.  She says she is the niece of Lord Pharon Fitzhannon, and begs you will see her immediately.  He looked concerned, as well he might, at such ominous words.  Even his training as a butler was not enough to keep all the worry off his face.

      You'd best show her in.  Perhaps some refreshments.  Edgar cast his mind around for something suitable to offer a distressed youth.  Cocoa? he hazarded.

      Steggins pursed his lips.  I shall see to it, sir.

      The girl he showed in appeared to be not more than twelve, but she was tall for her age, with very clear green eyes and an intelligent expression.  She had a quantity of dark curls and a slim, leggy build that would likely turn to great beauty when she got a little older.  As it was, her gaze was almost unnerving direct, and she looked a bit too clever for her age, an unnervingly fey quality that might have discomposed any adult. 

      She did not seem overawed by the sight of Finch, but curtsied to him prettily and said, Sir, I have heard that you are my uncle's enemy.  I hope that is so?

      It is, indeed.  Won't you take a seat, Miss...?

      Cordelia Luno.  Cordy to my friends.  Thanks for seeing me.  I need to speak with you about my uncle and beg your help.  I've heard you're looking to marry?

      Edgar almost choked on his breath.  I...am not sure where you'd have heard such things, but I must say, I would not consider marrying one not yet out of the schoolroom.  Or a female, come to that.

      She flashed him a grin.  That's all right.  I didn't mean me.  Anyway, I am out of the schoolroom—at least, my uncle brought my sister and I home from school after Mother and Father died.  Her expression sobered.  He said he couldn't afford to keep sending us, especially the way Charlie's been running through the blunt.

      Charlie?

      Charles, my older brother.  He's only just nineteen, and till he's twenty-one he won't have control of the money.  But he is wild, and gambles, and—  She stopped for a moment, then said simply, He's unhappy.  None of us have been happy since Mother and Father died, but he's really, really unhappy.  Sometimes he has a wild and desperate look in his eye, and I'm sure if he could call Uncle out, he would.  I'm not sure exactly...  She bit her lip, looking troubled and confused.  I don't understand.  I know I'm only a child and perhaps I'm not supposed to, but Uncle shouldn't be in charge of him.  It's making everything worse, somehow.  Not just the money, but...

      With a sinking heart, Edgar said, You think your uncle hurts your brother?

      Yes.  She looked relieved to have it put so plainly.  Only everyone says that's nonsense.  He's family, and of course we must trust him.  He would only do what's best for us.  But how can it be best when he drives Charlie to drinking and gambling?  Charlie was always a good brother, but he's so wild now.  He finds any excuse to stay out of the house.  I don't think that Uncle Pharon beats Charlie—at least, I've never heard it—but I almost wish that was it. 

      Her face wrinkled up in confusion and distress.  I sound like a terrible sister.  I don't mean that I should like to see him beaten, just that I think he could stand it, if that's all it was.  He was always very brave at school and would laugh about the trouble he got into, even if he actually got caned for it, but he's so hurt and unhappy now, and I think he'll find some way to die if, well, if something isn't done.  Charlie has always been very brave, and I'm sure he shouldn't let a little pain get to him, even a lot of pain, but that isn't it.  It's all wrong, somehow, whenever my uncle goes near him.  It's wrong.  I don't know how to explain it.

      You've explained well enough, child, Edgar said gently.

      Her face cleared into a look of relief.  You understand it, then?

      Yes.

      I don't think I ever shall.  Do you want to explain it to me?  Or is it one of those things grownups won't talk about with children?

      Edgar felt unequal to the task of illuminating her on the mysteries of reproduction, desire, and the twisted sort of fellow her uncle was.  Perhaps you could tell me instead where I come into this.  You came here with some idea that I could be of service, I recollect.

      "Oh!  It is one of those grownup things, then.  I can see I won't get any answers.  Yes, sir.  You could do me a very good turn by marrying my brother."

      He stared at the self-possessed little girl with the clear green gaze, far too intelligent and somehow older-looking than the rest of her. 

      You see, sir, she continued calmly, it would get him away from Uncle.  He could come and live with you, and nobody would think it the least bit odd that you would like to get your hands on his money, and get it away from Uncle, since you're enemies anyway.  It is a lot of money, or will be, if Charlie doesn't succeed in wasting it all at cards and drink.  I don't know how much he has wasted, but enough for Uncle to bring us home from school, anyway.  So I think it must be a lot, she added naively.  Anyway, if you will marry Charlie, I'm sure he would rein in his habits, since he wouldn't have Uncle's restrictions to kick against, or wish to stay out at all hours no matter the cost, and it would make Uncle very angry, which he would like exceedingly!

      Why do you think your brother would consent to marry me?  Especially if I am popularly supposed to want his money?

      Oh, I can't see why he wouldn't.  You're very handsome, and my uncle wouldn't like it, she said.  And Charlie would be very happy to move out.

      Edgar regarded the girl gravely.  I'm not certain he would, if it meant leaving you and your sister there alone with that man.

      No.  She screwed up her face in thought.  But we aren't precisely alone.  Ginger—that is, our governess—she's very kind to us, and she never leaves us alone with our uncle.  I think she's fond of us.  Though I'm really too old for a governess, of course.  Meg isn't.

      How old are you and Meg?

      I'm eleven, and Meg is nearly eight.  Charlie is just turned nineteen—much older.  You'd think he'd be the sensible one, wouldn't you?  She flashed a smile.  But he's found no way out, or he wouldn't talk so desperately.  I've always been the cleverest in my class at school, so it's up to me to see things right now.  That's why I've come to you.  I thought and thought, and asked as many people as I could who might wish to do my uncle an injury.  I felt you were my best chance, sir. 

      She rose and gave him a pretty smile, extending her hand to him.  I do hope you'll consider what I've said, sir.  It would make my uncle very angry, and I think it might just save Charlie, if you could see your way to it.  I shouldn't even mind if you do only do it for the money.  It would be worth it, to save my brother. 

      He felt unequal to answering this, but shook her hand gravely.  She curtsied again.  I'll leave you to think about it, sir.  I do hope you'll decide to help.

      Steggins cleared his throat, moving to open the door for her, his expression one of disapproval and rebuke.

      Edgar remembered, finally, to rise.  How will I get in contact with you if I need to?

      Oh, you can't.  I can't have any correspondence that isn't opened, and this is the one afternoon Ginger could let me get away for a bit.  She'd never tell my uncle, but there's others who would.  Anyway, you don't need to contact me.  You'll either help us or you won't.  If I hear nothing, I'll try to find other enemies of Uncle Pharon who might do us some good.  I won't see my brother go down without at least trying to fight for him.  Thank you for seeing me, sir!  She gave him another quick smile.  I own, I should like it to be you.  You would make ever such a good brother-in-law!  You know how to listen.  Most grownups just interrupt and talk rot about being proper. 

      With those words, she left.

      Edgar sat back down again slowly, his head spinning.

      The girl had charm, nerves of steel, and a very clever mind.  She would go far in life, if her uncle didn't succeed in breaking her.  And from what Edgar knew of his old enemy, a dirty dish if ever there was one, and the man who had once driven a school friend to suicide, he would not have liked to pit her chances of growing up happy, healthy, and unmolested once her brother was out of Lord Fitzhannon's sights and she and her sister were next in line for his attentions.

      Knowing Lord Fitzhannon's tastes, it would not be long till he was ready to relinquish the nineteen-year-old lad for a younger person whose will and body he could next work to break.  He would consider the sister an admirable challenge.

      ~#~

      Edgar made discreet inquiries about the Luno youth.  Charles was indeed known to be shockingly wild, drinking too much, riding too hard, gambling very deep.  He had debts, would row with anyone, and had tried to call out a man twice his age.  He caroused at all hours and was generally supposed not likely to live to thirty—if he even made it to twenty-and-five. 

      A young devil, said some, shaking their

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