Ashford locked eyes with him and nodded, as if knowing what the man intended to say. Rutley returned the nod.
“What I just proposed still risks my losing your very valuable estate. I find that outcome unacceptable. As such, I require a guarantee that maintains my interest in the property.”
Ashford clenched his jaw. “Say it, Rutley. No more posturing.”
“As you wish. Regardless of how the coin falls, you must agree to marry my daughter and cede all annual estate profits to me. If you lose, I will allow you to remain on my new estate for my daughter’s sake.”
Jane blinked, annoyed at not having recognized Rutley’s insidious trap earlier. In short, he offered a deal with the devil that benefited him financially and raised his family’s standing through an advantageous marriage to the Ashford name. Irritation boiled over before she could restrain it.
“What you offer is obscene, Mr. Rutley.”
He turned to her with self-righteous indignation. “Is this not what you both wanted? A winner and a loser? One family to rise and the other to fall, now and for all time? Is this not the poisonous dream nurtured by four generations of your families?”
She failed to offer a response because she could not deny his accusation. For the span of her lifetime, she had been taught to wish for nothing more than the demise of her mortal enemies, the Ashfords. However, what Rutley called a dream now seemed a horrific nightmare.
…
Adam agreed with Miss Hancock’s assessment. What Rutley offered was indeed obscene. However, it was not unexpected. In fact, Adam had instigated the offer, perhaps against his better judgment. Hehadshown amorous interest in Miss Rutley earlier, that much was certain. He found her eminently lovely and agreeable company. However, he had not relished the notion of Mr. Rutley as a father-in-law. Could he overcome his reservations? In a moment of clarity, he decided.
Yes. I must.
Without his estate, he was less than nothing. He refused to forfeit two centuries of family legacy and his place in society, even though the pressure of both had nearly squeezed the life from him. Perhaps a lovely wife would offset the detraction of kinship to a snake. He engaged Rutley with an unwavering gaze.
“I accept your caveat.” Rutley barely concealed his triumph. Adam was not finished, though. “One question nags me. What happens if the gold is gone? If we do not find it?”
“Then you would fall into breach of contract, whereupon the contract would become null and void. The original conditions would then apply. I would take your estate and Miss Hancock would find herself summarily incarcerated.”
“And if we find less than the expected amount? The likelihood of a horde of gold remaining intact after seventy years is very low.”
“Breach of contract. I expect sixty-four hundred guineas and not a farthing less. And I expect it within thirty days.”
Adam glanced at Miss Hancock to find her peering at him with an inscrutable expression. He breathed deeply. “Miss Hancock? What say you?”
Her gritted jaw relaxed as she apparently surrendered to the inevitability of the dubious situation. “I accept Mr. Rutley’s proposal, obscene as it may be. I have no other choice.”
Rutley clapped his hands together. “Good, good. Barlow!”
“Sir?”
“Draw up a contract with all the details. The full sixty-four hundred guineas. A thirty-day deadline. The surrendering to me of all found gold in exchange for a single cancelled debt. A wedding, regardless. And above all, one winner, one loser, and the toss of a coin to determine it all.” He reached into a pocket to produce one of the new half crowns featuring George III in a heroic Grecian pose, and thrust it into Adam’s reluctant fingers. “I will even supply the coin.”
Adam and Jane resumed their respective chairs and sat glumly while Barlow drew up the insidious contract. When the document was complete, they stood to sign the devil’s deal. After the deed was done, Adam jammed the pen into the well in disgust. He glanced aside to regard Miss Hancock. Her chin quivered, and he could only guess what emotions might be consuming her. With great effort, he reminded himself not to care about her plight. He offered cool detachment instead.
“What next, Miss Hancock?”
Though blinking back tears, she stretched her spine as if willing away despair. “As we’ve only thirty days, we must begin immediately.”
Mrs. Byrd stepped to her niece’s side. “I will chaperone, Jane.”
“Oh, Auntie. You must not. The journey may be long and arduous.”
“Nonsense, dear. I promised my brother to look after you, and I will not abandon you now. I will hear no more of your refusals.”
Relief swept Miss Hancock’s features. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Before Adam could determine whom to drag along as a second, Rutley interceded.
“Mr. Barlow. You will accompany the party as my legal representative to ensure a fair and earnest search. In the event of success, you will toss the coin and apportion the gold to the winner.”
