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before he replied curtly, “I shall have to, I suppose, before you try to arrange
     my entire life to your liking.”
    This mild satire brought forth a crack of rusty laughter from the old woman.
    “Loftus has two daughters, a young dark one and an older blonde one. Which do you fancy?”
    “How should I know?” He scowled and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands.
    “They are called Margaret and Marisa.”
    The earl leaned back rubbing the back of his neck and smiling at his grandmother’s ingenuousness. “Am I to choose on the basis
     of name or hair color, Madam? It makes no difference to me since I must have one of them.” He stood again and began pacing
     the room. “I told Loftus in no uncertain terms that I would have no part in his marriage scheme. Perhaps he will have second
     thoughts and I shall be relieved of the need to decide.”
    “Wishful thinking, my dear. He will accept your offer. Did I not tell you he is mad for the
ton?”
    “And his daughters seem to be too,” he rejoined bitterly.
    “As I begin to ponder it, Justin, I think you had best take the older girl. She is less likely to have romantic fancies. There
     was some talk of her and a man called Aiken a few years ago, but that’s all past history. She’s far likelier to be of a sensible
     turn of mind by now.”
    “Had her fling, has she?” he claimed cynically.
    His grandmother ignored this thrust. “Both girls are beauties, but the older one’s a biddable girl. Yes, Marisawill adapt to your ways quickly and make you a good wife.”
    “God spare me! I have no intention of remaining in the girl’s company any more than is strictly necessary. I shall return
     to the army with all due haste.”
    “But not before you’ve done your duty by her.”
    The earl ignored her thrust as she had his. “I shall leave her
and
her good family in your capable hands, madam. You will share the responsibility of introducing them to the
ton.”
    Lady Maxwell opened her mouth to protest, but Straeford held up his hand and continued, “That’s the price you must pay for
     your interference, my dear. Is it a bargain?”
    “You forget one thing young man.” Lady Maxwell smiled a trifle maliciously. “The heir. There must be an heir!”
    “You try me beyond all endurance,” Straeford claimed through gritted teeth. “I have not forgotten.” He rose and bowed mockingly.
     “I trust you will leave that, at least, to me.”
    She cackled. “I hear tell, devil though you may be, women still want you. You’ll get us an heir for Straeford, Justin. Then
     you can leave the chit and her family to me and fly back to your precious military life.”
    “We are agreed. I’ll see Miss Loftus is initiated as wife and mother before I take leave of her.” He smiled wickedly. “Mmh,
     I might enjoy this more than I expected—a beauty you say?”
    “Justin,” Lady Maxwell warned, “whichever one you take, she’s not going to be one of your light-skirts—but your wife, the
     countess—don’t forget that!”
    Straeford scowled, engulfed by a sudden black rage. “How will I be able to forget it with you and Loftus
and
his daughter about my neck? Just remember, afterward, the family is your headache.”
    Lady Maxwell passed an uneasy night following the disturbing interview with her grandson. Now that the machinery for the marriage
     was set in motion she was suffering qualms of conscience. At heart she wanted what was best not only for her grandson, but
     for Loftus’s daughter as well.

3
    A pounding at the door in the hall beyond woke the earl from a drugged sleep. It took some minutes before Harding’s excited
     words penetrated the fog in his brain.
    “… Dashrami’s forces at Baklar!”
    “Hold your fire, man. Did I hear you right? Dashrami…”
    “… attacked the garrison at Baklar and slaughtered half the outpost! A mere handful escaped.”
    “Good God! General Seton was supposed to be there.”
    “I