Kendall took a healthy swallow of his brandy.
“You are fortunate I haven’t accused one of my innocent servants of theft,” he said, crossing his feet at the ankle.
“Whynotaccuse a servant? From yourself, such behavior would surely be apropos.”
He gave a mirthless chuckle. “Because despite your lowering opinion, I am not, in fact, a cruel man. And Idoknow you.” He pinned her with his dark gaze, looking so much like the boy she remembered and yet unutterably altered. “So I comprehend why the items are disappearing. Though for the record, I would appreciate the return of my cravat pin.”
“If you trulyknewme and were indeednota cruel man, as you claim, then you would grant me freedom.” Allie picked up her tumbler once more, swirling the amber liquid. “If your black heart held even an ounce of brotherly love, Your Grace, then you would set me free instead of forcing me to bend to your will. You save your kindness for your servants and spare none for the sister with whom you once shared a womb. Such actions are the very definition of cruelty.”
She took a long swallow of the brandy, fighting a wince as the liquid scalded her throat.
Kendall picked at a speck of lint on his trousers. Fastidious as ever, her brother. If he felt any twinge of emotion at her words, he didn’t show it.
“We leave for Scotland and Lord Hadley’s house party in six days,” he said, moving on as if he hadn’t heard her. “Lord Charswood will be in attendance, so it will afford you the opportunity to become better acquainted with his lordship. As you have noted, I cannot force you into a marriage, no matter how advisable I deem the match. But I wish you to genuinely consider Charswood’s suit. He would make you an excellent husband, Sister. You scoff at his advanced years, but age will surely render him indulgent. I anticipate he would grant you the freedom to do as you please.”
Allie snorted in derision. “Do not be obtuse, Kendall. No old goat marries a woman young enough to be his granddaughter because he longs for a costly pet. Charswood wishes to marry me because I offer him money and access to my bed. Any man in that circumstance would be well-contented to keep me chained to his side—an unpaid servant to his every whim, no matter how base. This marriage has nothing to do with me or my wants.Youwish me to marry the earl because he will lift you one step closer to the office of Prime Minister.”
Kendall’s jaw tensed, the muscles in his cheek twitching yet again.
“I expect you to weigh Charswood’s offer carefully,” he repeated, voice clipped.
“That will never happen. You are delusional.”
He ran a hand over his face, again speaking as if he hadn’t heard her. “Additionally, the house party will include some of the most notable politicians of our day. Therefore, I will need you to be immaculately behaved, something I know you are fully capable of doing. No cursing, no ruinous behavior, no attempts to abscond, et cetera.” He sighed, long and deep. “What will it take for you to cooperate willingly? To travel to Scotland and genuinely consider Charswood’s suit?”
Ah-ha.Atlast.
Allie nearly crowed in triumph.
She had finally broken through Kendall’s stalwart resolve and forced him into the position she had been maneuvering toward for months—bargaining . . . the first step of many along the road to her brother’s complete capitulation.
Had the kiss with Mr. Penn-Leith done the deed? Allie hoped so. Some good needed to come from her abuse of Mr. Penn-Leith’s offer of friendship.
“My freedom,” Allie countered without hesitation. “I wish a guarantee of freedom once the trip to Scotland is over.”
“I cannot promise you that.” Kendall gave a decisive shake of his head. “You belong here, with me, even if you reject Charswood.”
“Then I will not accompany you. Why would I? You are the enemy I know. This Charswood is not. I prefer my chances here.”
“Such ridiculous melodrama.” He tossed back the remainder of his brandy. “You are so like our mother with your—”
“I would tread carefully with how you speak of our mother,” Allie warned. “She was the brightest part of my life and never once hesitated to come to my aid. That is more than I can say for yourself.”
Kendall looked away, his teeth clicking shut. He breathed in and out, lungs swelling his ribcage.
It was the closest they had come to discussing his broken promise to come for her . . . to the awful betrayal that had shattered Allie’s world.
“If you do this for me . . .” He turned back her. “If you go willingly to Scotland and behave like the picture of elegance. If you listen to Lord Charswood, permit him to court you, andgenuinelyconsider his offer of marriage. If you keep your behavior and manner above reproach and do nothing to soil our family name, then . . . I am prepared to offer concessions.”
Allie was skeptical Kendall even understood the meaning of the wordconcessions.
But as their conversation was headed in the right direction . . .
“Very good,” she replied.
“Before you get too cocky, let me reiterate: I cannot turn over the Salzi Mine to your care. Too much is at stake.”
“Foryou,” she pointed out. “Too much is at stake foryou.”
