He pulled back a bit, clearly shocked that she fought even as tears slipped past her lashes.
“Sixteen.”
She shook her head. “Seventeen or we wed.”
His thumb continued to stroke her jaw, back and forth until she was nearly mad with the sensation. She wanted to feel that over her entire body, but all she had of him was this single caress. And his money.
“Seventeen,” he said softly. “Most daughters are not dowered so well.”
“You must write it down. Seal it with your chop.”
He frowned. “My chop?”
She touched the signet ring on his finger. “Your chop. Your—”
“Ah. My seal. Yes. I will have the papers written up. Everything will be proper, Yihui. But first you must agree to pretend we are engaged. We must make a good show of it for the prince.”
“And then I am to cry.”
“Cry off. Yes. The prince cannot force you. You are not English.”
“And if I do not?”
His hand dropped away. “Then I will say that you have, and no one will contradict me.”
He would force it. Of course, he would. No dragon wanted her. She should have known better than to create fantasies about something that could never be. She could fight this, but to what end? They held all the power. If she could manage money from this pretense—money enough to keep her clothed and fed—then she could ply her trade. She would open an apothecary shop. She would treat those who needed medicine. And if they did not want such things from a woman, then they could die.
It was what she’d planned, anyway, before she thought he loved her. Before she’d realized he was a Dragon King, and she would be pleased to be his bride.
“I will pretend,” she said. “And then I will set you free.” She shrugged, pretending every word didn’t hurt. “I will put on a good show for everyone as I throw you away.”
He smiled. “I look forward to it.” He straightened up, pulling his hands and body away from her. “I have errands to do tomorrow, and a surprise for you. But it won’t come until the afternoon.”
“A surprise?”
“Tomorrow,” he said. Then he winked at her. It was such a delightful gesture, one done between people who care. It was not done with lechery in mind, but as a friend might to another. And it was so startling that Yihui once again felt lost in the fantasy of love. It was an illusion, but when he smiled at her, she forgot.
A moment later, he bid her good night and was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Max was loathto step out of Yihui’s room, but he had to go before he touched her again. Something about her clung to his thoughts and would not be dislodged no matter how inappropriate his desire. How ironic that honor demanded he not touch his own fiancée. It would be no hardship to give her longing looks or public caresses. He would act the besotted fool and show Prinny that he wanted to marry Yihui.
He did not, of course. He knew his duty to the Crown. It did not include marrying a stolen Chinese woman. But such was the twisted motivations when dealing with the prince. The royal wanted to punish Max for stopping him from leering at Yihui’s feet. If Max appeared to enjoy his punishment—his upcoming marriage—then Prinny would be irked. When Yihui eventually jilted him, Max would appear devastated. At that point, the prince would be very pleased and allow the nuptials to end.
It was a convoluted process, but Prinny could be petty. This was the best way to handle his royal moods.
Satisfied with this day’s work, Max headed for his bedroom. Lord, his cock throbbed as he imagined her coy eyes as she wrapped her lips around—
He stepped quickly into his bedroom. No one would know what he was about to do. He’d already dismissed his valet for the night and—
His nose wrinkled at an unexpected scent in his room. It wasn’t unpleasant, per se, but it was a scent he connected withKimberly, the liniment she used on elderly dogs to ease their pains, not quite covered by her perfume.
He quickly lit the candelabra and turned to see, to his shock, Lady Kimberly sitting by his fire. Her feet were stretched out before her, and her head was tucked against the chair wing. She looked asleep, but as he took a step closer, he saw her green eyes open to regard him with her usual quiet calm.
The sight was unnerving.
“Kimberly? You shouldn’t be in here!”
