“Interesting. If I had been someone else, would this still have been the condition?”
“Yes.” She needed this marriage, certainly, but she refused to let any man have the upper hand on her again. “Our former betrothal does not grant you the liberty of resuming matters as though nothing has changed.”
He said nothing, simply watched her with a gaze that made her feel like he could see every piece of herself she tried to keep hidden.And damn him, she loathed that he could still look at her so. Like he loved all her good parts and also cherished the bad parts. A lump rose in her throat, swift and traitorous.
“Understood.”
So easy? So understandable? “I won’t do sentiment,” she said suspiciously. “I came here for a contract, not a reunion.”
“I know,” he said calmly.
Her eyes narrowed on him. “You won’t forget this tomorrow, will you?”
He chuckled, though it sounded more like a groan. “I remember everything you say, Liss.”
Her brows furrowed. Had his sentence dragged a bit at the end? “Very well.”
“Can I ask you what happened to bring you to Dove-Lyon?” he asked softly.
The question startled her. Of course, naturally, he had to be curious. However, the situation was far from simple. Especially given the man involved, so she gave only part of the truth, “Some fool tried to entrap me into marriage. My reputation is on the brink of tatters and my sister’s prospects will be under threat if I don’t wed. It doesn’t matter who I wed, at this point, only that I do.”
His face turned thunderous. “What about your father?”
She averted her gaze. “News hasn’t reached my parents yet. They’re in the country for my mother’s health.”
“I see.”
Was that a growl? Her eyes narrowed on him. “Just so we are clear, Giles, you don’t have permission to be offended. You haven’t earned the right yet.”
“Noted,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll make sure I earn that right back, then.” He moved then, just a little closer. Not enough to crowd her exactly. Just enough for his presence to be feltmore.
That, damn him again, made her chest churn.
She braced. “You should know, I’ve grown used to doing things on my way.”
“I can see that.”
“Then don’t expect me to defer. Or swoon. Or soften.”
His eyes softened. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good.” Was the man even listening to her? “This arrangement may benefit us both, so do not even think of using your title as husband to own me.”
“Then you can be the one to own me.” His smile was slow. Wicked. “How does that sound?”
She despised the way her stomach flipped. However, she couldn’t deny that the idea of owning Theodore Giles Bishop sounded remarkably tempting. “Do not forget this will be a marriage of convenience. There shall be no ownership involved by either party.”
“A pity.”
“I’m sure you shall manage just fine.”
“Then I’ll settle for protecting your name. I will be your husband in every way that matters to society and only as much as you’ll allow behind closed doors.”
“Agreed.”
“Shall we touch noses upon it?”
Her eyes flew wide. “Absolutely not! We aren’t children anymore!” She barely caught herself from instantly leaning into him upon that question. She straightened her shoulders and stepped back. “It seems you’ve retained some of your childishness.”
