“Then the deal is off. You were legally betrothed, and you accepted part of the dowry. Surely you don’t expect—” “I’ll pay it back. Just”—Colin sucked in a breath—“give me some time.” Hobbs fixed him with an icy stare. “You will sign a note. Eight percent interest, with the balance due before we see 1668.” A year. One year. If the renovations were halted, the fields produced bumper crops, the quarry was extra-productive, the sheep thrived… It was a terrible gamble. Colin pictured Amy waiting for him at the inn, and his vision blurred. They would have her inheritance. But he’d promised her he
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