Page 26 of A Marriage of Necessity

The man’s eyes sharpened. “Will do his best? By now, I expect you to have been working hard to produce an heir.”

Anne blinked. She and Kennedy had been married but a day. How hard could they be ‘working’ to have a child? “Forgive me, sir, but it is not proper for a wife to speak of such things, especially to her husband’s father.”

“She is right, my dear,” Jacqueline said. “Anne is a new bride.”

“Bah! We have no time to stand on such ceremony.” His gaze locked with hers. “I know you need the five thousand pounds I promised once you produce an heir. I will pay you an extra five thousand pounds if you remain in Kennedy’s bed every night between now and when you get pregnant.”

Anne stared. The man was mad. But it was more than that, she realized. Here was the reason Kennedy hadn’t wanted her to meet his father. The man was trying to control his life right down to how many times they…

“Forgive me, my lord, but I cannot see how you could possibly confirm I was deserving of the extra five thousand pounds.” She lifted her brows. “Unless, that is, you intend to be in the bed with us.”

To her shock, the earl didn’t so much as bad an eye at her sarcasm, but said, “If you get pregnant soon, then I will be satisfied that you lived up to your end of the bargain.”

Kennedy might be insufferable, but this man was cruel. “There was always the chance that I might get pregnant the first or second night we are together,” she said with sickeningly sweet sarcasm.

“Are you willing to take the risk that you will not receive the extra money if you don’t get pregnant right away?” he countered.

“Ah, I see. If I don’t get pregnant immediately, you will assume that Kennedy and I are not sharing a bed. What happens if we share a bed every night, and I do not get pregnant?”

“I am certain Kennedy is skilled enough to make his time in your bed worthwhile.”

“My God, you have bollocks. Whether I get pregnant right away, a year from now, or five years from now, it will have nothing to do with you.”

“But it has a great deal to do with Kennedy,” he replied. “My son will see to it that you have a child within a year.”

The conversation was insane. “Then why offer me more money?” she asked.

“I take no chances when it comes to the heir of my title.”

“In case you have forgotten, you have an heir: my husband. And by-the-by it isn’t just your title. There is mine, as well.”

He nodded. “Aye, my grandson will be the eighth Earl of Buchanan, as well as Viscount Kinsley. That is why I chose you as Kennedy’s bride.”

She’d had enough. “Was there anything else you wanted, my lord, besides ensuring that my husband and I were spending enough time in bed together?”

He regarded her. “You will suit Kennedy well.”

That, Anne hadn’t expected.

“What has he told you about me?”

She hadn’t expected that either. What was she supposed to say? She gave him a cool smile. “Nothing, really. I’m sure you understand we haven’t spent our time talking.”

Satisfaction lit his gaze. He nodded. “Good, very good. It hadn’t occurred to me you might be beautiful, but the fact that you are will hold Kennedy’s interest for a while.”

For a while? Her heart felt as if it had been pierced with a knife.

“I expect you to name your son after me,” he said.

“After you?” It wasn’t uncommon for a father to name his son after his own father. Somehow, Anne doubted that Kennedy would want to follow that tradition. “I will discuss it with Kennedy, of course.”

He waved his hand dismissively, and she wanted to knock the gnarled thing aside. “He will do as you ask.”

Then she understood. “If you suggest that we name our child after you, he will defy you,” she said more to herself than him. “But you expect me to manipulate him for your own ends.”

“It is my right,” he said as if that was sufficient.

Anne laughed. “Not quite. What of my father? Perhaps I would like to name our child after him.”

At last, she saw ire in his eyes. Satisfaction shot through her.

“I will give you another five thousand pounds, if you talk Kennedy into naming your son after me,” he said.

She couldn’t believe her ears. “Keep your five thousand pounds. Keep all your money.” Anne whirled and stopped short at sight of Kennedy standing in the doorway.