Had I just—was I going toLondon? Could I finally be redeemed?
It could not be so easy. One moment I’d been reading with Mercutio, and the next, I had the Duke of Marlow practically eating out of my hands.
My heart beat furiously in my chest. I could hear it pounding in my ears, feel it pulsing in my temples. This was real. My second chance.
I had no doubt the duke would be a nightmare of a man to manage. That he’d do anything and everything in his power to make this difficult for me. I would have to tread very carefully. Meet him mark for mark. Keeping control would be key.
“The ring will be returned only after your end of the bargain is fulfilled.”
“No.” His hands fisted. “I will not allow that ring out of my sight from this moment on. I must ensure its safekeeping.”
“If I give you this ring now, how can I know you will follow through with your promises? No, that I cannot do.” But I supposed I could give himsomething. “Now that I knowits significance, I’ll place it safely back in its box and guard it with my life.”
He shook his head and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “Give it to me now. You have my word that I will keep my end of the bargain.”
Demanding, wasn’t he? His title alone might be enough for many people to trust him. But I trusted only one man: my brother. “I am afraid I must insist on keeping it.”Hiding it, more like. Lest he hire some private service to come searching through my things.
He stared hard at me, and I wondered how many people had cowered under that stare and given in to his demands. Not me. Not today. Not with so much at stake. He uncrossed his arms, jaw tight, and leaned forward with those blue eyes unyielding and cold upon mine. His tone was critically short. “If you insist on being difficult, then I suppose we ought to draw up a contract.”
I frowned at his tone. “Contract?”
“If you wish to bargain like a man, Miss Wood, we shall make it all perfectly legal. A contract is absolutely reasonable.”
I hesitated. Was he trying to trick me? Though I supposed a contract would not beunreasonable.
“Yes, of course,” I said with another false smile. I could read, and I was certain he thought me far less intelligent than I actually was.
Scowling, he nodded back, glancing me once over. “I assume you’ll be escorted by your brother.” Drat. I had bargained without even asking Peter’s permission. The whole point had been to relieve Peter of my presence, and here I was asking him for a favor, and a rather large one at that. He’dnever said outright that I was an inconvenience in his newly married life, but I could easily imagine that he often wished he and Amelia were alone. The apartment in London would be painfully smaller. But temporary. Especially if I could form the right friendships, meet therightpeople. With the duke in my corner, I’d only need a few weeks. Or ...
Mama currently resided with friends in France, information I’d gleaned from our solicitor. I’d written to her about Peter’s wedding, but her response must have gotten lost. I hadn’t seen her since she moved away. Would she return for me now if I asked?
“I will speak to my brother.” I stood, silent and reeling. I needed new gowns, but I hadn’t any time. More, I needed a thorough washing like I hadn’t had in months. And Jane, I’d need Jane with me, and my face creams. And I had to know what on earth happened next inUdolpho—
The duke stood, regarded me a moment, then called, “Mr. Wood, I think we are finished here. A moment, please.”
A moment, indeed.
ChapterThree
Marlow
Any problem in life could be solved by a well-written contract. This morning proved it.
Mr. Wood and his sister had whispered together for a few moments, his eyes wide, and hers, to her credit, calm and composed. She’d hurried upstairs while her brother and I had drafted a full page. Concise, but cleverly vague, as any good contract should be. Better still, I had few responsibilities in this arrangement, and even less liability.
In short: I would take Miss Wood on three outings, all within one’s month time. Their family would stay in an apartment in Mayfair, and I’d arrange her transportation to and from all events. I would be under no obligation to lie about or mislead anyone regarding our arrangement. We would be introduced as friends, nothing more, nothing less. And if, by the end, she had not of her own volition regained Society’s good opinion, the ring would still revert to my possession. Annoying? Yes. Absurd? Far beyond it. But playing friends with this woman would be far less expensive than buying back the ring, and per our contract, I had accounted for absolutely everyth—
Drat.
I sighed. “What happens if she dies?”
Mr. Wood’s hand froze, his pen dipped in an ink jar. “Beg pardon?”
There was really no good way to say it again. I cleared my throat. “Forgive me. If, ah ... in the event of Miss Wood’s untimely death, I’d like to add a line that the ring would belong to me.”
Mr. Wood’s expression hardened. “Is that truly necessary?”
I raised a brow. “It is a very valuable ring, Mr. Wood.”
