“I have no wish to marry him.” She spat.
Adrian tilted his head towards her. “Then you should not have agreed to do it.”
“I did not. I turned him down twice in—well,, three times I suppose.” She gave him a bitter smile. “They did not take.”
Adrian nodded. “But it would seem your brother did not care for your wants when he gave him his consent.”
“He did no such thing. Lord Bolton lied. He is a scoundrel. A vile and dastardly man.” Lady Natalie shook as she looked at him. “I would sooner die than marry him.”
Something in Adrian’s chest twisted, but he pushed it away. An old wound that he would not examine, even as the smell of roses threatened to overwhelm him.
“A high price to pay, simply to avoid a marriage.” Adrian swallowed the last of his whiskey, letting the silence settle between them.
“All I ask is that you give me the information I need to be able to break off the engagement.” Lady Natalie looked at him, and Adrian saw two emotions warring in her eyes: desperation and hope.
A dangerous combination.“And what makes you think the cost of my aid would be more bearable?” Adrian asked.
Tension left Lady Natalie’s shoulders, but bitterness steeped her every word. “Anything would be more bearable than marrying him.”
Adrian wagged a finger at her. “Be careful, little sparrow, you do not yet know my price.”
“Whatever it is, I will pay it. So long as it does not harm my family.” Natalie swallowed.
He surveyed her, thinking of what she was asking him to do. “It is dangerous to make deals with the devil.”
“You are not the devil, just a man.” She replied smoothly.
“Are you sure?” he leaned closer.
She moved towards him, looking him up and down. “As sure as I have any wish to be.”
“Oh, little sparrow, this is going to be fun.” Adrian settled back into his seat.
“Then you will help me?” her eyes widened. “Thank you!”
“I am sure it will be my pleasure.” Adrian smirked. “You shall leave by the servant’s entrance, and I shall have a carriage take you back to your London house. Doubtless, you have no desire to add to your list of scandals.”
Lady Natalie flushed with embarrassment, but she managed to bite back her anger and simply nod. To his surprise, Adrian found himself a little disappointed.
He shook himself. “Before you leave, I would like to know one thing. You are familiar with my reputation…”
“What, that you are a notorious man about town?” Lady Natalie gave him a distasteful look.
“I believe the word you are looking for is rake.” He gave her his most wolfish grin, and swept into a mocking bow. “How did you know I would be home and not out cavorting? Unless this is not your first intrusion.”
“A little girl told me. I assume she must be a child of one of the servants.” Lady Natalie smiled and then her eyes widened and she clapped a hand to her mouth. “Please, do not punish her.”
“I take it she had blonde hair, several twigs and perhaps a collection of leaves in her hair?”Please let her say no.Adrian gripped the arms of his chair tightly, his words clipped.
Lady Natalie nodded and he felt as though someone had punched him in the gut. Adrian’s heart thundered in his chest and he leapt to his feet, pacing across the room. “I cannot allow this behaviour to continue.”
“She did not mean any harm. She is only a child!” Lady Natalie had stood up and moved to block him from the door, her eyes wide, but full of steel.
“She should know better. I do not understand why she was talking to you at all.” Adrian shook his head.
“She was crying, so I comforted her. She was worried she would be in trouble so I told her that I would speak to the master of the house on her behalf. And she told me that Thursdays were the best day to speak to you.” Lady Natalie’s eyes searched his face.
Adrian took a step towards her, meaning to push past her into the house beyond. But Lady Natalie grabbed his hand firmly. “She is just a child.”
