“And yet I wish to dance with you.” He simply took her hand and walked, and she would not make a scene, so allowed it.
“I like you, Miss Spencer,” he whispered, leading her onto the dance floor.
“Thank you, my lord, that is most kind.” She forced the words out of her mouth through a tight smile.
He pulled her too close as the waltz began. Had he known this was the next dance?
“Please observe the correct distance, Lord Cavendish.” He relented, but only slightly, and put a small amount of space between them.
“I’ve decided that this season I will select a wife,” he said.
Dear God, she knew where this conversation was going but did not know how to stop it.
“When I find something or someone that interests me, Evangeline, I watch them closely, and you interested me from the first time I met you.”
Evie was scared. How was she to stop him from courting her? Surely, it would not go well for the Spencer family, in the eyes of society, if she tried. “I did not give you leave to call me, Evangeline, my lord.”
He laughed at that. “But we are to be husband and wife, Evangeline, so there need be no formality between us.”
“But I—”
“I like to know everything there is about the people who will be in my life, Evangeline.”
“I don’t understand why you’re speaking to me like this, Lord Cavendish?” She had to at least try to dissuade him. “I am not here to marry this season, merely watch over my sister.”
“Listen carefully, Evangeline, and I will explain it to you. I have watched foolish men pass you by for younger women. Women who are sweet natured and spoiled. You are neither. You have fire, and that will suit my needs.”
She remained silent, her eyes on those dancing beside them as her mind whirled with thoughts, desperate to find a way out of his plans for her.
“It is time for me to marry, Evangeline, and I’ve decided it will be you.”
“No,” the word came out a hoarse whisper. “I am, of course, honored, my lord.” She recovered quickly as it would not do to make an enemy of this man. “But I have chosen not to marry.”
“Come now, I can give you so much, Evangeline. Further to that I can support your family. Surely that alone will change your mind?”
She looked up at him, and while he wore a polite smile, those eyes were narrowed and the mean glint in them made her shiver.
“I want children, and you are healthy, intelligent, and will suit my needs and care for them. It is the perfect solution for all concerned.”
Her eyes shot left and then right to see if anyone had overheard their conversation.
“Your offer is flattering and extremely generous, Lord Cavendish,” Evie began, swallowing down the fear that clawed at her throat. He was offering her family a chance. Offering her a life she’d never thought to have. Why then would she rather choose one of poverty over one with him?
Think of Prue and father.
“I had hoped you would simply concede, my dear, but I can see I must offer more persuasion,” Lord Cavendish added as he steered her around the floor. “A rumor reached me before the season started. A rumor about your father losing all his money. I sent someone to investigate, and it turns out the Spencer family are completely without funds. In fact, I’m not sure how you were able to have a season, but one word from me and you would be ruined.”
“H-how dare you.” She felt the color drain from her face.
“I don’t need your money, my dear. I simply want you to have my children. So, we shall marry, and it will work out well for all concerned.”
“No.” Evie shook her head.
“Yes, and you don’t want to cross me, Evangeline. I can make your family’s life extremely difficult.”
“I have no dowry.” Evie grasped for anything to change his mind.
“Yes, these are not the normal actions of a man such as I,” he bragged. “But I want you and must have you. You have good bloodlines, and I do not need another mistress. I need a wife. Therefore, I am willing to overlook your family’s fall from grace.”
