Her eyes widened. “That’s very generous! You would draw up a legal settlement to guarantee it?”
He laughed and raised her hand to brush a light kiss on her knuckles. “My practical Frenchwoman! Yes, there would be a legal settlement to protect you.”
She flushed and pulled her hand away. “I don’t feel I need protection from you. But life is dangerous and uncertain. If something happened to you, I wouldn’t want to find myself in desperate circumstances again.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. You must have funds that are yours alone.” He regarded her thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing. “Is there anything besides money that would help dispel your fears?”
She hadn’t thought beyond money, but an answer came swiftly to mind. “I’d like to learn to defend myself! Men don’t expect women to resist and they are right. Most of us are used to submitting tamely. We don’t know how to fight back. I’d like to learn how to shoot a gun or wield a dagger.”
“Not against me, I hope! Unless I deserve it. I can give you shooting lessons. I can show you how to use a knife and how to conceal it when you travel in dangerous places. I can also teach you some defensive moves that can be effective against assailants larger than yourself.”
Suzanne’s eyes widened in amazement. She hadn’t really expected an answer, much less one so specific. “I would love all those things!” She thought of Rory, who had known how to fight back when necessary. “The mere idea of being able to defend myself effectively makes me feel stronger. Safer.”
“Then it shall be done.” He gave her a slow smile. “The thought of learning how to wreak mayhem makes you glow. What an extraordinary woman you are!”
She thought how Jean-Louis would have reacted to her desire to learn how to shoot and fight. He’d have been appalled. Despite his physical resemblance to her late husband, Simon was a very different man. She thanked heaven for that. She blushed. “For years, I have yearned for freedom, independence, and power over my own life. Is it possible for me to have all those things as your wife?”
She meant her question seriously, and Simon answered with matching seriousness. “Any marriage, even one as unconventional as what we’re negotiating, will involve some compromises for both of us. But I swear that I will never try to coerce you into doing something you don’t want to do.”
It was impossible not to believe him, but still she hesitated. “If ever our marriage should become so unbearable that I leave, will you promise not to try to find me? With your abilities, I’m sure you could hunt me down no matter where I might try to hide.”
He winced, but answered. “I pray God that matters between us never become so painful! If you wish to leave, I’ll let you go, but I reserve the right to speak with you once to see if the situation might be resolved.”
Her imagination produced the image of a murderous Simon cornering her so she had no escape....No.That was her fear speaking and had nothing to do with him. If their marriage failed, it would be with a weary sigh, not violence.
“I can’t imagine that we would reach such dire straits.” She smiled wryly. “You must think I’m a little mad to ask about such absurd possibilities, but the more we talk, the better I know you. You really listen to me. That is rare and valuable.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile. “So I’m passing your test?”
“It’s not precisely a test,” she said. “But you’re doing a good job of allaying my fears. Am I making you have second thoughts about your proposal?”
“No, you’re convincing me that you will be a most excellent wife if you accept me,” he said promptly. “You’re cautious, intelligent, experienced, and wise. I value those qualities greatly. No flighty debutante could match them.”
She liked the way he saw her, though she didn’t quite believe his words. Turning again to practicalities, she asked, “What kind of life would we live? What will you do now that you’re out of the army? I don’t imagine that you’ll spend all your time drinking and gambling, but what will you do with yourself? Seek a government post, perhaps?”
“Definitely not a life of gentlemanly dissipation, and I’ve no interest in a government post.” He looked almost embarrassed. “I’ve said that I had a comfortable inheritance. In fact, it’s quite substantial. Besides the town house, there’s a sizable estate in Berkshire and I’m part owner of several businesses inherited from my mother’s merchant family. The properties have all been in the hands of capable managers, but it’s time I took on my responsibilities. They’ll keep me busy and out of trouble.”
She blinked, surprised at the extent of his wealth. “An estate. Would I be able to have a horse again?”
He looked startled. “I hadn’t thought of it, but I suppose you couldn’t ride during your time in Constantinople.”
Her mouth twisted. “If they’d let me near a horse, I’d have been halfway to Greece so quickly they wouldn’t have seen me go!”
“I believe that. You were a superb horsewoman even at age fifteen. Yes, you can have a horse. As many as you want.”
She smiled a little ruefully. “It’s been far too long since I’ve been on horseback. Remember how we rode through the countryside in the weeks before my marriage? We always outran the grooms.”
“Good times,” he murmured. “I didn’t realize how good until much later.”
She had never felt more free than when she was on horseback, galloping with the wind and a good companion at her side, and she’d never had a better companion than Simon. Choosing her words carefully, she said, “I look forward to riding with you over the hills of our estate.”
He became very still. “Does this mean you’re accepting my proposal?”
She drew a deep breath and stepped off the cliff, praying that she was doing the right thing. “I do believe it does.”
Chapter 7
Simon felt a surge of pure delight that was as startling as it was welcome. Taking Suzanne’s fine-boned hand in a warm clasp, he said, “I’m so very glad to hear that! Fear doesn’t vanish in an hour, but I presume it’s now diminished to a manageable level.”
