Roderick stood to greet the marquis, his welcoming smile returning to cover his shock at Lady Lucianna’s presence. Camden strode into the study, taking in the room around him before acknowledging his host. Lucianna was blocked from view behind her father.

Danvers gave Roderick a curt bow, and he nodded for the butler to depart and close the door.

This discussion demanded privacy, even from his household.

He knew full well what he’d asked Camden here to discuss, but Lucianna was a wild card. Roderick was uncertain if her father had shared the purpose of this meeting. If he hadn’t seen fit to enlighten his daughter, it was possible she would be very upset when she learned of the reason behind the appointment.

Roderick did not want his entire household eavesdropping and spreading the news within the servant’s gossip mill before an agreement was signed.

Hell, it might become necessary for Roderick to inform Camden of Lucianna’s unsavory activities as the Mayfair Confidential authoress, which he was loath to do, as it could cause a scene within his house that would not be easy to mask.

Lucianna stepped from behind her father; her emerald gown matching her eyes, and her black hair framing her face angelically. Though Roderick knew from the glint in her eye that the woman was anything but angelic. Beguiling and witty, yes. Sharp-tongued and elegant, for certain. Demure, reserved, and modest, however, were not words he’d ever use to describe Lucianna.

She seemed as shocked to see him as he was to see her, and judging from the look of contempt that settled on her face, she was prepared to do battle with him once more. It was a shame they were not at Bentley’s. He couldn’t help but wonder who would have the upper hand this day.

“My lord,” Roderick greeted Camden, refusing to allow his eyes to stray toward the marquis’ daughter again. “Thank you for accepting my invitation to discuss this”—how to describe the matter at hand?—“delicate matter.”

He risked a glance at Lucianna to see her frown deepen. It was the only sign the woman gave at her discomfort of the situation. He admired her ability to keep her emotions under such tight control, though the corner of her lips turned up in a confidence smirk.

Roderick was unable to harness his own shock, his brow lifting in a silent question as to what she found so comical.

“I see there is no need to introduce the pair of you,” the marquis muttered. He looked back and forth between Roderick and his daughter. “Please, wait outside, Lucianna. I will speak with Montrose and call for you when we have settled on the details.”

Her mouth gaped open as her face reddened. The woman was not used to being so easily dismissed, and Roderick would be fooling himself if he didn’t admit he enjoyed her stunned expression.

For once in their brief acquaintance, she had no sharp retort, no sugar-dipped reply, and no way of refusing her father’s command without causing a scene.

Lucianna, no matter her hellion ways, was still a woman born and bred into the highest society in England. She knew her role as the daughter of a marquis and played it well.

Would continue to play it well until she was no longer in a position for playacting. It was that time that should concern Roderick.

If she were anything like him, her memory was long, and her need for vengeance patient.

Finally, she nodded. “Yes, Father.”

With arms crossed and one last lingering, scathing glare for Roderick, she turned on her heels and marched toward the closed door. She paused for the span of a single breath, as if expecting someone to jump forward and open it for her. When it did not happen, she reached forward and pulled the door wide, stepped out of the room, and slammed the door in her wake.

She was not happy. From Camden’s slight cringe, he knew it as well as Roderick.

The marquis masked his irritation with his daughter by taking the seat before Roderick’s desk. “Now, Montrose—“

“Do call me Roderick,” he said. “If you are here, I assume my proposal is agreeable to you. We might one day be family.”

Camden chuckled. Outright laughed in Roderick’s face.

Roderick’s brow rose. “Should I assume you are not here to speak about a betrothal between me and Lady Lucianna?” The hair lifted on the back of his neck, and his confidence lessened for the first time since sending the letter to Camden that morning.

The marquis sobered, eyeing Roderick. “Do you think you are the only duke sniffing around my daughter?”

Roderick sat heavily in his chair, taken aback. He hadn’t even considered another offer for Lucianna’s hand. “Well—I—I am certain it does not surprise me, my lord. Your daughter is charming and very beautiful, with quite possibly dozens of suitors clamoring for her attention.”

“But she has the attitude of a dour matron, I assure you.” Camden crossed his legs and reclined in his seat. “However, she is well-connected, schooled in the fine art of managing a household, and comes with a sizeable dowry. So, I should have expected the men to come calling, despite her less than agreeable nature.”

Did the man not note the regal, graceful, perfection that was Lady Lucianna? Roderick supposed wealth did not lend itself to a keen eye for value and quality.

And make no mistake, no matter how angry he was at Lady Lucianna, how betrayed he felt by a woman who did not know him from the King of France, she was a woman of worth. It only took one look—and a few seconds in her presence—to know she was something special. Something worth having…and keeping.

“I must warn you, this auction may very well see a betting war the likes of Tattersall’s best.” The man chuckled again. “But before we speak of such important matters. Let us toast our new association with a drink.”

Roderick leapt to his feet and moved to the sideboard, not because the marquis had commanded it, but for the sole purpose of hiding his flabbergasted expression—and growing anger—from the man.

The Marquis of Camden had just sat in his study and compared his daughter’s betrothal negotiation to that of a horse at auction.

Devil take it, she was worth more than any horse!

Turning two tumblers right side up, Roderick filled each with a healthy portion of amber spirits. If the marquis’ entrance was any indication, Roderick’s afternoon would not be proceeding as expected.

Camden took his tumbler gratefully and sniffed at the liquor, as if the quality and age of the stuff would lend a good air on the man who’d served it. The brandy they held was aged longer than Camden himself.

How could Roderick have thought making a game of taking Lucianna as wife would be a simple, uncomplicated matter between two men?

Lady Lucianna was complicated at her core; a woman who fenced as well as any accomplished man, a lady who did not shy away from exposing her own father’s misdeeds, and a hoyden who dared invite a gentleman to deepen a kiss only to bite down on his tongue.

“Now, I must admit, your offer to take the girl off my hands is much appreciated,” Camden began, swirling the brandy in his glass. “I fear she has become a handful since her coming out—gallivanting about London, speaking out of turn, and Lord knows what else she does when I—or my staff—are not keeping watch over her.”

Roderick only nodded in agreement. The woman was certainly entangled in far more than her father knew.

“And most recently, Lucianna has seen fit to turn my entire household against me. My younger children, always so obedient and well-mannered, have begun to challenge my authority and even look to Lucianna before adhering to my command. Honestly, I cannot have such mutiny in my home.”

“My lord, I—“

Camden brought his narrowed stare to Roderick’s, cutting off anything he’d thought to say in Lady Lucianna’s defense.

“So, Montrose, in other words, I am very interested in your marriage offer. Unfortunately, I have gained another offer for Lucianna’s hand, though I am not entirely hard-pressed to pick the better lord. She is like any wild filly. She will need a firm hand; possibly need to see the end of a whip every once in a while to keep her in line.”

Roderick’s skin crawled as if a thousand ants marched along every inch of his body.

He was repulsed.

What father instructed his daughter’s suitor to use cruel methods for harnessing her wayward tendencies?

The mere thought was baffling.

And Camden was obviously entertaining offers from other gentlemen. At least Roderick knew he would never raise a hand—or a weapon—against any woman, no matter how irritating their actions or words.

Roderick sat a bit straighter in his chair. Had another perspective husband agreed with Camden: a firm hand and a whip here or there when necessary?

Bloody hell, the marquis sickened Roderick; however, if he withdrew his interest in Lady Lucianna, she might very well be left with a man far less honorable than he.

Roderick would not forsake any woman to that fate—even Lucianna who’d stolen his only opportunity to find his family fortune.

However, marrying Lady Lucianna also meant tying himself to Camden.

He shuddered to think whom Lucianna would find herself betrothed to if it weren’t Roderick. There were many cruel men living within London. Men who by no stretch of the imagination could ever be considered gentlemen. Men who spent their nights in scandalous brothels disguised as legitimate gaming hells. If a gaming hell could ever be legitimate in nature.

Lucianna was helpless to disobey her father’s decision on whom she would marry.

“Ah, well.” Camden emptied his tumbler in one swift gulp and slammed the glass on the desk between them. “I can see you are not the man for her. Which is a pity. I suspect Abercorn will have to do, even though he is as old as Corinthians.”

The Duke of Abercorn?

What would the old duke want with such a young bride?

Neither alternative was acceptable. Turn away from a betrothal to Lady Lucianna and leave her in her father’s clutches—and likely betrothed to Abercorn within a fortnight—or agree to Camden’s conditions and be tied to Lady Lucianna and beholden to her father.

Roderick would never give the impression he’d abuse a woman, no matter what she may do to incite his anger; however, leaving her in Abercorn’s clutches was the same, even if he were the one holding the whip.

“My pursuit of Lady Lucianna is very serious, my lord.” Roderick commanded his shoulders to relax, to look at ease and not alert the marquis to the danger he was in even speaking of injuring a woman. “I am prepared to have the documents prepared and signed whenever you wish it.”

“I will need to discuss it with my daughter. She is unaware of the nature of our business here.”

Roderick wanted to laugh. He suspected Lady Lucianna was never fully unaware of anything.

“I have one request, my lord.”

“Of course, Montrose.” Camden stood, signaling their meeting was nearing an end. Roderick followed suit.

“I wish to call on Lady Lucianna.” It had been many years since he’d attempted to court a woman. Even with Lady Daphne, it had all been arranged and handled behind closed doors. “I think it best she and I become acquainted more before we formally announce our betrothal.”

“If you are to be betrothed,” Camden corrected. “However, a stroll in the park or trip to Bond Street for ices would not be unacceptable.”

“Very well. I will call on her presently.” Hell, he would call on her this very evening, if it would not be seen as too eager. The last thing Roderick needed was for Camden to change his mind and give Lucianna to the Duke of Abercorn. “Shall we bring Lady Lucianna in and tell her about our agreement?”

Roderick wouldn’t mind a bit of time in Lucianna’s presence. Hell, maybe he would be so bold as to request a moment alone with her. They were to be wed, after all. Her father would be a fool not to accept Roderick’s offer and nor could Camden be against allowing the soon-to-be betrothed couple a moment together.

“That will not be necessary, Your Grace.” Camden shook his head and bowed. “I will inform her of my decision, and she will be prepared when you call on her. I will have my man draw up the paperwork for your signature.”

“Of course, my lord.”

There was nothing more Roderick could say or do as the marquis departed the room, soundly closing the door behind him. Truly, there was little Roderick suspected needed to be done at this time. Camden would handle informing Lady Lucianna, and when next they met, she would have no cause to deny him her company.

The sound of two sets of footsteps retracing their way back to the foyer was all Roderick heard as Camden led Lady Lucianna from the house.

For not the first time, Roderick wondered why the marquis had brought his daughter if only to instruct her to wait in the hall until they departed.

He refilled his drink and collapsed back into his chair.

He should feel a measure of relief to know that a formal betrothal between him and Lucianna was almost guaranteed, which meant his coffers would be full once more—or at least, back to a more agreeable amount—and he could resume his endeavors to locate the men responsible for stealing from the Montrose estate.

Relief flooded him. A bone deep sense of rightness filled him.

He would have his money—and Lady Lucianna.

His troubles were coming to an end. The confidence that had filled him earlier returned.