This was a dangerous game she played, she knew that. What he proposed, she might not be able to give, and then what came of her family then? But what choice did she have?
The Devil Lord leaned back in his seat. He gazed around the room for several moments, silently contemplating. His fingers continued to rub his chin in thought.
Then, in an instant, he barked, “Everybody, out!”
Faces turned, voices started to hum, the music stopped once more. All fell silent as if they were waiting to be sure they hadn't misheard.
“You heard me!” the lord boomed, and everyone started to scramble. Even those clearly working in the club hurried to escape the wrath of The Devil Lord.
Only Emmaline's escort remained unmoved. Even she jumped to her feet, ready to flee down the steps.
Before she could do so fingers snaked, quick as a flash, around her wrist.
“Not you,” he ground out.
Startled, Emmaline sank heavily back into her seat. She played with the ruby bangle around her wrist in an attempt to calm herself.
“See we are not disturbed!” The Devil Lord commanded her escort, and the masked man dipped his head, removing himself to the entrance of the room to pull down the curtains after everyone had fled.
He stood there then, head bowed as if his only task now was to ensure what little shred of respect she had left remained with her.
“My Lord, I… I can see I have angered you,” Emmaline said fearfully. “Perhaps I ought return with my father when he is able?”
The Devil Lord did not speak. He stared out across the room. His hands clasped together before him and he rested his elbows upon the arms of his throne, his chin upon his hands.
“As you can see, My Lady, I have all I could possibly need right here,”The Devil Lordsaid. He continued to start off into space. “I have wealth, power, respect. What more could you possibly offer me?”
His tone was commanding yet thoughtful, almost as if he were debating with himself and not with her at all.
“My Lord, anything,” she said, her chest tightening. There was that word again, that foolish word that left her entirely at his mercy. What a naive, foolish little chit of a girl she was.
But what the lord proposed might have knocked her right off her chair in astonishment.
“I have need of one thing and one thing only, My Lady,” he said. He only turned his gaze upon her as he added, “I am in need of a wife.”
Emmaline's wits entirely escaped her then. She laughed. She actually laughed. Embarrassment scorched her cheeks, and she hid her lips with her fan, praying he hadn't noticed but absolutely sure that he had.
“You think that is funny?” the masked man demanded. Again, he leaned forward and somehow his eyes were darker than ever. The spark was gone from their black depths. Now they were merely empty, sucking blackness. “I offer you a solution and you laugh in my face. I should double your father's loan amount for this insult!”
“No, no!” Emmaline exclaimed, throwing herself at the man's feet. It was a most foolish thing to do but she had little left. She clutched her hands together and placed her forehead upon them. “Please, My Lord, it was a gut reaction. I could not have contained it if I had tried. Please, please, forgive me.”
His throne creaked a little as he leaned forward to perch on the edge of his seat.
Emmaline did not dare to look at him. Instead, she stared at his polished black boots. They were perfectly shiny, so much so that she could almost see her own reflection in them.
She gasped with shock when she felt the warmth of his bare fingertips pressed just beneath her chin. At his forceful urging, she lifted her head, lowering her hands.
Emmaline stared into his eyes. The spark had returned. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was caught in her throat soon after.
“Marry me, Lady Moreau, and I shall see your father's loan resolved. I shall even see your family's wealth restored in time. Marry me, and you shall have all you ever desired, on one condition.”
Emmaline trembled. Her lips parted. The sweetness of his breath was intoxicating.
“What condition, My Lord?”
The words were barely a whisper. As if he hadn't heard her, the lord lifted his free hand and brushed back several curls from either side of her face. “You are a pretty little thing, aren’t you? Your father shall be disappointed to lose you. I am sure.”
Emmaline jerked backwards. “I am not property!”
