The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,4

heart, but that’s pointless at this stage of the game.”

That caught Edward’s attention. “What’s wrong with your heart, Uncle Charles?” he asked, more alert and concerned than he had been a moment ago. Uncle Charles might be outrageous and irresponsible, but he was family. The only family he had left and he didn’t like hearing that something might be threatening the man’s health.

“I’m an old man, Edward! That about sums it all up.”

“Nonsense,” Edward countered. “I’ll have Dr. Mamford arrive in the morning. He’s the best cardiologist in the world. Let him examine you and he’ll get you fixed up.”

Charles laughed again, emotion filling the sound. “You’re a wonderful man, Edward. You just need to loosen up a bit and have some fun. Don’t worry about Dr. Mamford. The doctors here are taking wonderful care of me. But I have a favor to ask. I’ve committed to something and with my broken leg, I won’t be able to fulfill that commitment. I was hoping you could take over and finish up the issue.”

“Of course. Send me the documents and I’ll wrap up the issue for you.” He was still going to have the doctor review his uncle’s medical files, already making a note to Alice to have the hospital send the medical information over to the renowned cardiologist.

“Well, it isn’t really a document but it’s a legal matter.”

“Just send it over. Don’t worry about anything, just concentrate on getting healthy again.”

“Slow down. Before you take on this challenge, understand that there’s a deadline of only a matter of weeks.”

Edward shook his head. “No matter, Uncle Charles. Just send me the details,” he said patiently.

“She’s twenty-four years old, a stunning beauty, lots of fun and she needs to get married in two week’s time.”

Edward was completely confused now. “Excuse me?” he replied after a long pause while he absorbed his uncle’s statement.

Charles laughed again, delighted that he’d been able to stun his always calm and collected nephew. “I’m the executor of her father’s will. And her father demanded that she get married by the time she was twenty-five or she loses all of her inheritance. But she turns twenty-five in two weeks, Edward. And she hasn’t found anyone who sparks an interest and she’s willing to marry a man who is kind and generous who has already proposed. Unfortunately, they don’t love each other and this little woman deserves something better. The only reason her father is doing this to her now is because she defied him about his plans for her future. There are a lot of jobs at stake and this little beauty is distraught over the fact that she can’t save everyone. She’s willing to marry a man she doesn’t love at this point just to save those jobs. I can’t let that happen.”

“Is she that obnoxious?” he asked, wondering what could be so difficult about finding a groom for a wealthy heiress. It should have taken days, not months.

“On the contrary. Everywhere we go, she meets people and they are instantly part of her social group. She loves all of her friends and they return the feelings. The men’s feelings are significantly deeper than just friendship, but she sees all of them only as friends and nothing more, even though they tend to fall all over themselves to gain her attention. Not that she’d notice though. She’s too kind and generous to hurt their feelings, thinking they’re all her best friend. Unfortunately, just not husband material. Like I said, she’s beautiful and lively and she has a love of life that’s contagious, hence the reason I’m in a hospital bed instead of home reading my boring books. We’ve been trotting all over Europe looking for the ideal groom and having a wonderful time, but she hasn’t found anyone with whom she would want to marry.”

“And that’s where I come in?” Edward asked, already mentally lining up eligible bachelors for the woman in question. He had several social engagements over the next few days. He figured he could introduce her to some appropriate men and have this finished by the weekend. It was Wednesday, perhaps Alice could arrange the wedding by the following Saturday. He had to be in Rome by the following Monday so that would work out well.

“Exactly. If you’re up for the challenge. She’s vivacious and charming, but she has a mind of her own.”

“Don’t worry Uncle Charles,” he said, ready to lay down the law to whatever irresponsible party girl had attached herself to