“As to my name, Miss Winthrop, it is Jasper Audrey, Baron of Milton, and as for my business, it is very simple, though I expected your father to prepare you for it.” He shot Winthrop a glare. “I require a wife, and as your papa is in dire need of funds, I will pay handsomely for one of you.”
If looks could kill, Miss Winthrop should have slain him on the spot.
“Erm, just how handsomely, Baron?” their father ventured, unabashed.
“I will forgive the three thousand pounds you owe me, Winthrop.”
“What?” Elizabeth Winthrop burst out.
“No?” Milton arched his brow at her. “Four thousand then.”
“No!” she got out, louder. “That is not what I?—”
“Five thousand is my final offer, miss.”
Disbelief marred Miss Winthrop’s brow. “Father, you cannotallow this man to enter our home and so blatantly disrespect us by?—”
“Purchasing a wife outright?” Milton met her gaze with amusement. “I believe I can, and will, purchase one of you, as your father agreed to as much over our game of cards last night.” He watched her face fall. “However, as you are obviously not enamored of my suit”—he had her attention now—“I shall offer for your sister instead, who strikes me as more amenable in temperament.”
***
Elizabeth gripped Annabelle’s hand, unable to bear her sister’s stricken expression a second longer. “Baron.” She drew herself tall, willing her racing heart to calm. “My sister has not been brought out yet formally in society.”
“Plenty of girls marry younger than nineteen. She is my preferred choice.”
“Please!” escaped her lips. “Papa!” She turned to him, yet his eyes would not meet hers, the coward. The situation was so alarming, so unexpected, it simplymustbe a misunderstanding.
She gripped Annabelle’s hand more tightly. “Baron, I beg you to reconsider your offer. Surely there are more suitable?—”
“Miss Winthrop, having successfully haggled such high price for your sister, are you now proposing I offer foryouinstead?”
She could have sworn the man’s ice-blue eyes sparked.
“I…” She madly deliberated in her head. If she did not act now, Annabelle would be lost, though if she offered herself,she’dbe lost. Still, tomorrow was another day. She could solve the problem then.
“Yes.” Elizabeth swallowed her panic and bowed her head. “Take me instead.” Annabelle tugged furiously on her hand, but Elizabeth merely squeezed back, hard. “I should make you a better wife, sir, being older and wiser.” She kept her head bent, not wishing to look at him but wishing to buy time to think.
“Hmm.” He stepped forward to tilt her chin and stare into her eyes, just as the butcher had. “Wiser, perhaps. But not nearly as pretty as your sister.”
Her body flushed hot with pride. “Surely you require your wife to be more than mere decoration.” Her temper heated. “A wife must manage a household, and I assure you I?—”
“She must also bear me heirs.” His hands slipped to her waist, gliding low over her hips to boldly assess.
Elizabeth roughly pushed his hands off, but he quickly imprisoned hers in an iron grip.
“I have changed my mind, Winthrop,” he announced to Papa. “I shall take your eldest daughter as wife instead, for four thousand pounds.”
Annabelle gasped as Lizzie met the scoundrel’s eyes in a bitter, bitter stare, his insult not lost on her.
“And now I should like a moment alone with my betrothed.” His cold, cobalt gaze remained locked on hers. “Leave us,” he ordered Papa, who hurried Annabelle out as fast as his scurrying legs could take him. Bella shot Elizabeth an anguished, parting look as she was dragged away.
Their father had failed them yet again.
The Baron, meanwhile, stepped back to take stock of her, his purchase. “You argue much.” He crossed his arms. “But you appear robust in health, your tongue sufficiently sharp to suit my needs. I expect complete obedience from my wife, but will in turn keep her in great comfort.”
“You … beast!” she cried, now that they were alone. “I shall never?—!”
He pulled her up against his hard, lean form only to stare down at the rise and fall of her chest. “We will wed in one week’s time, and when we do, your allegiance will be only to me. I do not require affection in marriage, but I do expect fealty. I am no beast, Miss Winthrop, and will honor the same wedding vows you, too, swear to uphold.”
