Chapter 9
Hell, he was going to regret this.
Marriage in exchange for her inheritance? A very significant sum at that. This woman must be desperate to give away so much in exchange for her independence, as she called it. Marriage was the last thing he wanted, but this agreement fit his needs well. He could not afford to not agree to her contract. The money would help remedy his father’s debt, settle his mother in a comfortable living, and allow him to leave London for good.
“You understand that I don’t plan on staying in London for long.”
“I expect you to stay the Season.”
“With you?”
“Not with me, no. But surely you realize we must be seen together to convince the ton we are husband and wife.”
“Yes, I suppose that can’t be helped.”
She frowned. “You must know, I don’t enjoy this. If I could somehow gain my independence on my own, I would, but I can’t. I have planned this for too long to simply give it up, so I’d appreciate it if you could cooperate and pretend, at least, you aren’t repulsed by my presence.”
He walked over to her and she backed away. He looked deeply into her eyes. God, if only she knew how he wanted to bed her right now, to see her coiffed hair wild and free. “Believe me, that is not what’s on my mind right now.” He took her hand and kissed the knuckles, one by one. “Quite the opposite. You are feisty and reckless, yes. Repulsed by you? Far from it, my sweet.” He offered her a smile, and he saw the seductive heat fill her eyes. This knowledge that she wasn’t immune to his charm pleased him a great deal.
“Oh,” she said, pulling her hand away. “Good.”
His smile faded. “One more thing . . .”
Her expression tensed. The quiet beauty looked back at him with uncertainty in her brown eyes. He hardly knew this woman standing before him, but there was a sense of fragility about her, one he hadn’t noticed until now.
Strands of blond hair escaped the confines of her bun and hung loose like a waterfall. His finger itched to stroke it and move further down to the hills of her perfect bosom. Her brows pulled, questions lingering in those eyes. His mind listed all the obvious reasons he shouldn’t agree to her scheme, but reality left him with very little choice.
“If I am going to agree to your proposal,” he said, “I need you to answer some questions.” What the hell was she thinking walking into the devil’s den in the middle of the night?
She nodded wearily. Good, at least she was smart enough not to fight him on this.
“Why were you at St. Giles? It’s full of murderers and thugs.”
She frowned. At times, there was something in her eyes that was . . .sad . . . cautious. Or maybe angry? “I was looking for someone,” she finally said.
“Who were you looking for?” The fight in her eyes told him she wasn’t willing to give it up so easily. Should he be concerned? He wasn’t certain. “I need to know what I am getting myself into if I choose to go along with this scheme.”
“Scheme?” she said. “Is that what you think this is? This has far more importance than that, not that you would understand.”
“Help me understand, then.”
“Why must you be so insistent? You have no concern in this. You will gain a fortune for this so-called ‘scheme,’ my lord.”
He sighed. “I have met you in the most precarious circumstances, which makes me question your motive. I must insist you answer if we are to move forward.” Bloody hell, just take the money and go your separate ways, his mind ordered.
She sighed in defiance. “I was looking for a friend.”
Looking for a friend at East End? Interesting, indeed. “And this friend of yours, is she in some sort of predicament I need to be aware of?”
She paused, watching him carefully. “I don’t know.”
“That man in the alley, what did he want with you?”
“I don’t know.”
He watched her expression, every twitch, the pull of her lips downward, just enough to tell him she didn’t know if he could be trusted.
“You needn’t worry,” she told him. “I will be fine. Besides, I am certain the inheritance will remedy any inconvenience to you.”
“I am not sure about that,” he whispered. “I will consider your proposal.” You need the damn money and you know it. In all truth, his gut told him to walk away, but he didn’t have much choice at the moment.
“You will?” she said. “A serious consideration?”
“I said I would, didn’t I?” He watched her expression again, the soft glow of the candlelight softening her features. “I will give you my answer within the week.”
She frowned. “I don’t have the luxury of time.”
“I will endeavor to give you my answer sooner,” he said with a nod.
“I will give you two days,” she said boldly. “Two days, my lord. Good night, Lord Blackthorn.” With that, she walked out of the study and closed the door with a click.