“Collecting your dowry isnotan investment.” He followed her up.
“It is £60,000 and complete freedom.” She swung her legs to the floor.
“It is £60,000 anda wife,” he said, “who, apparently, I would never see.”
“You’ve just said that you don’t want a wife.”
“Yes, and you wish to become one tomorrow.”
“No, I wish tomarrytomorrow. Not be a wife.”
He made a sound of frustration. “How, exactly, does thathappen? That arrangement?”
She opened her mouth to say something but hesitated. “I . . . beg your pardon?” she asked.
“I’m curious,” he said, rolling to his feet, “how a married woman goes about her life as if she is ‘not a wife.’ ”
“I’ll . . . I’ll do as I please,” she told him defensively. “I’ll answer to no one. I’ll be a bother and a burden to no one.”
“Right, right, such isolation. That’s not what I mean, and I think you know it.”
Answer,he thought suddenly.Explain it; explain yourself. It was, perhaps, the morning’s first moment of true clarity. To hell with his pride about the source of the money; to hell with his duties as earl. What he really wanted to know wasthis.
“You believe I knowwhat?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”
He studied her face, full of pride and challenge, eyes flashing, auburn curls trembling as she shook her head in frustrated little shakes.
“You’re an heiress, yes?” he asked slowly. “With a substantial dowry and an inheritance to boot?”
“Yes?”
“And if you were to marryan earl, for example”—he raised his brow—“you would be a countess.”
“My mother is a countess, and I’m hardly impressed. I am not a title hunter, if that’s what you mean.”
“No, it’s not. Imeanthat your place in society would then provide you with countless opportunities to socialize. In London. You would be invited to parties and dinners. Balls and theatre. The opera.”
“Actually, I haven’t—”
He spoke over her. “I’ve three sisters who talk of little else than London’s social whirl. Believe me, you will. You’re a beautiful woman, young and rich. There will be no end to the invitations. So, what then? Do you intend to arrive to these events entirely alone? The husband that you’ve banished to the far ends of the earth will not be there, obviously.”
He watched her consider this.
“Allow me to answer for you. You very well may take up with a consort, of course. A companion. A . . . ‘special friend.’ ” He watched her as he added, “A lover.”
Her hand flew to her throat. “I most certainly will not.”
“Can you say what you will do? Honestly?”
“I believe I can,” she said.
“And perhaps you can, but I can also say this. If you wish to know the real reason why I cannot marry you, it’s because I’m not sure my pride could tolerate being made a cuckold. Take offense where you will, but it all comes down to this. I’m not sure I could bear having my wife dally around London while I ampaidto stay anywhere else in the world and turn a blind eye.”
Now her cheeks were red hot.“What?”
“I know very few men who could bear it, actually.”
“But you have no intention of marrying me, so how—”
