“You will be in charge of the social cases,” he said. “There are churches, orphanages, girls' schools, and even the lives of some tenants that you will oversee. Can you manage ledgers?”
“Yes,” she said. The food, as delicious as it was, tasted like ash in her mouth. “When there were lean times at home, I managed the accounts.”
“Good,” he replied.
Unable to stomach another bite, she closed her utensils and wiped her mouth. “Are we off then?”
His stare was firm. “Do you need to use the necessities before you go?”
“No,” she swallowed, notching her head up defiantly.
You may be forceful, and no one challenges you, but I am not the weakling you think I am.
“Then we are off,” he said, while standing and tugging his dark green jacket, which emphasized his broad shoulders and lean torso. His trousers fit like a second skin over his muscular thighs, tucking into polished Hessians.
For a moment, she lost her train of thought and only snapped back to the present when his brow lifted. She was beginning to hate that eyebrow. “Shall we?”
It was an hour into the journey before Ariadne broke her silence. “The man who followed you out to search for your brother. May I know who he is?”
Cedric flickered a look above the paper he was still reading, “His name is Silas Crane, Earl Stromwell, and yes, he is my friend and business partner.”
“How long have you known him?” Ariadne asked.
“Since I was twelve and took on the title my departed father left on me,” he turned a page. “We were classmates at Eton, and it was he who pulled me out of the depths when grief and rage had nearly consumed me after my wife died in that fire.”
Startled at such a personal and unexpected revelation, she took a moment to absorb it. “That’s admirable.”
“You will have your own quarters, your own offices, carriage, stationery, what-have-you,” he said. “A stipend of a thousand a week that you can save or spend, matters not to me. You will have courtesy in my house; my people will respect you.”
“Your people?” she asked.
“My staff,” he said.
She nodded once. “Thank you.”
“My conditions are that when we attend whatever social events, you will present as my wife and inhibit the role and attitude of a duchess. We will talk over things that are necessary, but aside from that, please do not inquire into my affairs.”
“You do not want my company,” she said hollowly. Again, it was like a blow to her stomach.
“No, I do not,” he replied. “Also, do not lie to me.”
Gawking at him, Ariadne realized belatedly that she looked like a feather-wit. She shook her head. “You mean to keep me prisoner like Minos?”
Again, that damned brow lifted, “You think these terms mean I want to imprison you?”
“Those terms certainly say so,” she said. “And by my keeping out of your affairs, I take it to mean your real affairs. You have mistresses.”
His back snapped straight, and fire flashed out of his eyes. “I am not a rake nor do I lean into such activities. I am faithful to the one I say my vows to, and I am insulted that you would think so lowly of me.”
“I do not know you,” Ariadne replied.
“I do not know you either,” he replied plainly. “Neither position gives us a reason to judge each other.”
Ariadne looked down at her hand and decided to give him the truth he wanted, “I will not lie to you and pretend otherwise. I must tell you, this marriage, well, the one to your brother was to have with me was not by accident. Yes, I was ill that night, and I suspect my mother made me so, but I do not know how. What I do know is that she?—”
“Planted you in my brother’s bed to force my hand,” Cedric replied calmly, “I surmised as much, but what good will that do now?”
“
