There was a footstep out in the hall. She jumped up a second before Mr. Lowton, looking very officious in his spectacles, appeared in the doorway. “I’ve returned, my lord. Oh—I’m sorry. I didn’t see you were busy. I beg your pardon, my lady. I’ll just go, I mean, I’ll do something else. That’s what I will do.”
He obviously suspected this was not a good moment to interrupt. Did it show on her face? Clarissa would have dashed out the door in embarrassment except Mars held her hand. “No problem, Lowton. I’m glad you are here. Let’s have my wife sign those papers you prepared.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered, moving to Mars’s desk where there was a leather sheath holding several papers. The documents inside gifted Clarissa with a handsome income of five hundred pounds per year while Mars was alive and a substantial settlement of thirty-five thousand pounds in the event of his death.
The numbers were staggering. She had never imagined such wealth. “It is too much.”
“Not to worry, my heir, who is a cousin I can’t abide, will inherit more. However, this should see you and Dora happy.”
“Dora and I would be happier if you live a long life.”
His gray eyes met hers. She expected him to be pleased with her avowal, instead, a shadow seemed to pass over him. “Whatever happens, I promised that you would have security, Rissa. And so you shall. Lowton will oversee everything.”
“I’m honored,” the secretary answered. “You are also going to receive rights to live at Belvoir for as long as you choose.”
“This is almost too much, Mars,” Clarissa said.
“Actually, I don’t know that it is enough,” he answered. “If you don’t wish to live at Belvoir,you are free to choose another home. All I ask is that you take care of Dora . . . and yourself. I want you happy.”
“We are happier with you, my lord.”
“Spoken like a dutiful wife,” he answered. His tone was light, teasing almost, and yet it disturbed her. He signed the papers and handed the leather file to Lowton.
“I shall take this to the lawyers at once,” Lowton said, excusing himself.
When they were alone, Clarissa said, “Thank you.”
“You are more than welcome. We had an agreement to this marriage, Rissa. You asked for security. Wasn’t that one of your terms?”
“I’m overwhelmed by your generosity. I just—” She stopped, words failing her. She was sitting in the chair across from his desk where he stood. She looked at her hands. She’d removed her gloves to read the documents. “You have humbled me, my lord. I did not expect such largesse.”
He moved to the chair next to her. “You deserve this and more.”
“We have not been married long—”
Mars pulled her up and kissed her.
This kiss was different from others. It was more solemn, almost like a benediction. Or a farewell.
When it broke, she looked hard into his eyes. “Is everything all right?”
“It’s perfect, Clarissa. Perfect.”
She wasn’t certain she understood. Something deeper seemed to be brewing inside of him.
And then she said, “I love you.” The words just flowed out of her. Perhaps Kate had planted the seeds, but she could not deny the truth of them. “I’ve misjudged you all these years and now that I know you—” She paused uncertain. He stared her, his hands dropping to his sides.
If she’d slapped him, his reaction would have been no different.
She waited a moment and then continued quietly, “I know you may not have strong feelings for me... but I couldn’t have given myself to you if I hadn’t lov—” She caught herself. She already felt uncomfortable. “If I hadn’t had feelings for you.”
A small furrow had formed between his brows.
She wished she knew what he was thinking. “Mars?”
He shook his head as if realizing he must say something. He raised his hands, touching her hair as if framing her face. She covered his hands with her own, bringing them in front of her, holding him.
“You don’t have to make a declaration to me,” she said. “We aren’t a love match. In fact, we agreed we don’t owe each other anything.”
