Seconds ticked by as they stood silently in front of each other as if they were daring the other to be the next to speak. The crowd remained quiet too and continued to watch them. She had no idea how much of their conversation some had heard.
But enough.
Where had she gotten the nerve, the fortitude to be so bold to an earl who was known for his gambling, drinking, and carousing with women? And in front of so many people? She wasn’t the kind of person to need attention or affirmation.
If she’d ever wanted to back down from anything in her life, it was now. But, of course, she couldn’t. She’d gone too far. Somehow the earl had drawn her into bargaining with him for something she didn’t want.
Marriage.
It was insane.
But it was done. And the black-hearted rake that he was, he’d agreed to all her demands.
In truth, there was no one to blame or thank but herself for the position she was in.
With her wits finally returning, there was no time to ponder further the ins and outs of the ways this man aroused her. She needed to bring this spectacle in front of everyone to a close. Filled with resolve, she leaned in toward him and said, “We have one more thing to discuss before this is settled.”
He followed her lead and inclined closer to her too. “You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Feld.”
With her courage returned, she replied, “You are asking me to give up my freedom. If there is even the slightest possibility that you might win, I want to make sure you’re going to be worth it. Walk with me. I need a glass of champagne.”
“I need one too,” he muttered under his breath.
Brina cut her eyes around to his as her brows rose, and she set her lips in a firm line.
“But I won’t be having one,” he added under his breath. “I’ll be happy to get a glass for you.”
They started walking away from the dance floor and toward a refreshment table that had been set up on the far side of the ballroom.
There were more whispers and murmurings from the crowd. Brina tried not to pay attention, but it was difficult not to hear some of them.
“What are they going to do now?”
“I think she handled him quite well.”
“It’s about time someone did. His family never could.”
“A lovely lady like her shouldn’t have to put up with such a scoundrel.”
“I’ll be at White’s first thing in the morning, and I’m putting my money on Mrs. Feld.”
“I believe I will too.”
Tension and frustration shook through her, but she kept walking.
“You were quite spectacular just now, Mrs. Feld,” he said with guarded praise.
Yes, she was, but she’d be the talk of the gossip sheets tomorrow. More ladies would flood her with flowers, sweets, and kind words next week, but this man was making her feel like smiling with his high praise. Her impossible demands had been a shock to him. They were to her. There was no way he could adhere to one of them, let alone all of them. It was startling to think she had the courage to tell himno women.
Where had that idea even come from?
He was perturbed by it, but so far, obviously not deterred.
“What else do we need to settle?” Blacknight grumbled, as they moved farther away from the thick of the crowd. “I think I’ve already agreed to give up every sin known to man.”
“You have some nerve being peeved with me,” she countered. “After your actions.”
“If I’m remembering correctly, Mrs. Feld, you were the one who did most of the talking tonight. All I wanted was a dance.”
