“That’s not what our contract states,” Middlemarch said.
“Lord Middlemarch is correct in reminding us that a legal contract is a serious commitment and not something to be taken lightly.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s words silenced the room.
Kate’s heart sank. She was going to force her to honor the contract and marry Middlemarch.
“Violating a contract with me is a serious affront.”
Kate swallowed the lump of fear in her throat.
“Theseus,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said.
Theseus reached into his jacket pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper, which he handed to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.
Kate bit her lip as she watched the Black Widow unfold the paper and scan the document. “Just as I thought.” Shehanded the paper to Middlemarch, and Kate glimpsed the Black Widow’s gold lion seal at the bottom of the page.
A satisfied smirk appeared on Middlemarch’s face as soon as he held the document. The sight made Kate even sicker to her stomach.
“Let me draw your attention to the final paragraph, Lord Middlemarch,” Mrs. Dove Lyon said.
“Please do,” Middlemarch said with an air of superiority that Kate found repulsive.
“Would you care to read it out loud, so we all can hear what it says?”
“Certainly,” Middlemarch smirked, straightening his posture, and looking directly at Kate as if to say,I warned you.
“Lord Middlemarch agrees to keep both his and Miss Sheldon’s participation in the auction a secret until they are wed.” Middlemarch read. “He further agrees to obtain a special license and marry Miss Kathrine Sheldon within two days of signing this document, or he shall…What is this?” Middlemarch demanded.
“Keep reading,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said calmly.
Middlemarch returned to the document and continued, “Or he shall forfeit any claim he has on Miss Sheldon.”
All the heaviness that had been weighing Kate down, suddenly lifted from her body.
“This is preposterous,” Middlemarch slammed the document onto the table, and Theseus’s large hand immediately came down on his shoulder.
“It’s the contract you signed,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice was like ice. “And by signing it you agreed to abide by the conditions set forth, which you failed to do on two counts. First, you told Lord Knox that you had won the auction and that your prize was Miss Sheldon, and second, you failed to obtain a license and marry within two days.”
“You tricked me!” he said. “Who marries two days after betrothal? A wedding takes planning.”
“There was no trickery involved. The rules were clearly stipulated on paper. Perhaps, Lord Middlemarch, you might consider reading a document before you sign it next time.” The contempt in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice was palpable.
“What about the money? I paid one-hundred-and-forty pounds for her. She has to marry me.”
“She need do no such thing,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon roared. “Not only did you violate the conditions of the contract, but you compromised her reputation. Those stipulations were put in place to secure her honor and future. But it seems you were more interested in playing cruel games than entering a serious marriage. Therefore, Miss Sheldon owes you nothing.”
Middlemarch shrank back into his chair.
“And as for me, you forfeited your invitation to the club when you broke confidentiality by sharing information about the auction and then came into my establishment swinging your fists and accosting one of my patrons!”
“But—” Middlemarch objected.
“You can be grateful that you only told Lord Knox—a man of immense integrity and trustworthiness—about the auction, or your punishment would have been more severe.” The Black Widow turned to her wolf “Theseus, show Lord Middlemarch out. He is henceforth barred from entering this club.”
“Don’t touch me!” Middlemarch stood and tossed his head haughtily. “I will be more than happy to be rid of her and the lot of you. I will show myself out!”
Kate and the rest of the widow’s guests watched in silence as a red-faced Middlemarch strode out of the office with Theseus following close behind. Kate listened to hear for any breaking glass, but apparently the odious man had enough sense not to break any of the Black Widow’s vases.
“Now,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon turned to Lord Knox, “Before we have any more mishaps, let’s be clear. “Do you intend to marry Miss Sheldon?”
