“That does not signify.”
“What?” Of course, it signified. It signified greatly. But he’d set his mouth and appeared resolute.
“I am in need of funds. Therefore, obtaining them must be my priority.” A haunted look momentarily transformed his expression. “I don’t have a choice.”
Well. Priscilla was all out of excuses. And that gave her no choice but to be blunt.
“I’m terribly sorry, my lord, but my answer is no. I’m not going to marry you.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Don’t you think, Allison, that you and I are beyond formalities?” When she didn’t answer, he added, “My intimates address me as Hunt, or Emerson, if you prefer.”
Emerson. It suited him.
“I choose not to marry you, my lord. I am sorry, but you are going to have to accept my decision.” She nodded, pleased with the conviction in her voice.
But he was shaking his head. “Ah, but I cannot do that.”
His persistence might almost have been flattering if he had not admitted that he only wished to marry her for her money.
Marry Allison, that was.
“I’m afraid you must.”
“I have a proposal for you—”
“But I said no!” Dear lord, she would feel even worse if he got down on one knee.
“Not that, not yet.” He touched his thumb and index finger to his chin. “This is more of a… bargain.”
Priscilla exhaled, relieved to be spared that, anyway.
“I will break the agreement with your father—”
“You will? Oh, thank you!”
He held up a finger, however. “Not so fast. A bargain, remember? I will break the agreement with your father, but first, I have a stipulation.”
Priscilla nodded. Anything!
“Next week is my grandmother’s birthday, and my mother is hosting a small house party in her honor at Cliffhouse, my estate. You will be my guest for the fortnight, and, if after becoming better acquainted with my family and me, you still oppose the marriage, I’ll accept your decision.”
Her blood ran cold. A house party? For an entire fortnight?
“But that’s impossible.” Priscilla closed her mouth, which she realized was gaping. “I—I have classes to tea—to attend.”
He merely shrugged, drawing her gaze to his shoulders, which were wide but not too wide. Unbidden, the image of sinewy muscles showing through his soaked shirt came to mind.
“That is my offer,” he said.
Did that mean he was willing to force Allison into marriage? No wonder the younger girl had refused to marry him. Had she suspected this might be the case?
“And if I refuse?” Up until now, she’d considered him kind and heroic. But a man who would impose himself on a young girl was anything but.
Even if he did find himself in unfortunate financial circumstances.
Another casual shrug. “If you refuse, you’ll have to deal with your father.”
And what, exactly, did that mean? She had met Mr. Meadowbrook several times. On a few of his visits to the school, he’d exhibited a volatile temper. It made her feel less than comfortable sending Allison home to face her father’s wrath.
