Page 44
Theo slapped down another paper, her grin clearly taking him aback.
He glanced at her wearily before examining the paper. His eyebrows lifted. “Timber?”
She nodded. “This was another thought I had. Now, you cannot pledge the sum you previously wanted to for the foundling home. But the mature timber in the north wood is perfect for felling. I’ve already hired men to provide an estimate. You are looking at roughly a thousand pounds. We need to wait to see what will come of the limestone. However, if we are able to secure a sizeable upfront investment, you could be looking at half your losses covered. Along with a stream of new income in future years.”
His frown was formidable, his grey eyes distant. She could practically see him working over everything in his mind. “And the remainder…would come out of my foundling home fund.”
“Yes. I’d recommend retaining a contingency as well. So much of this is subject to change. There are a lot of variables at play here. You cannot comfortably part with that fund right now, but these options allow you to part with some of it. The last thing you want is to overextend yourself, Your Grace. That won’t end well for you or your foundlings.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face, then let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose this is the best case, considering everything that has transpired. My partners are working on finding a solution as well.”
“You didn’t ask my opinion,” Theo said quietly. “But it is commendable, Your Grace. These pursuits.”
He eyed her. “It is not viewed that way by many.”
Disgust and anger hit her so hard she barely kept it hidden. She knew exactly what he meant. His world viewed foundlings as problematic—proof of disorder, proof of failure. Charity toward them, in the eyes of his peers, only perpetuated the problem. Theo’s nostrils flared. Dirty. Beneath them. Something to be disposed of, not saved.
“I’m aware,” she said carefully. “But I believe it’s…deeply admirable. Whatever others may think, it reflects well upon you. It is a quality I find very compelling.”
His pupils flared. Something in the room shifted, an intensity swirling around them like a wind blowing in. Those moments before the storm descends, where one can feel it even though it’s not upon oneself yet. Foreboding.
“Do you have our contract?” he murmured.
She nodded slowly.
He tapped her desk, and she retrieved it, her gaze not leaving his. There was something there that she couldn’t read.
She passed him the document. He opened it, flipped to the last page, and held his hand out. She wordlessly handed over her quill. He wrote something, sharp, concise movements, then turned it around and pushed it her way.
Theo quickly read what he’d added. She sucked in a breath, her attention flying to him. His gaze raked over her, not hiding his hunger in the least.
“I find I’m not agreeable to an open-ended contract any longer, Miss Dawson. I want you until I depart this castle.” His gaze pierced hers. “Mine until I leave.”
She suppressed her shiver, but not the thrill those words sent through her. One that was equal parts exhilarating and unsettling. “Quite the admission, Duke.”
“I believe I provided you with ample…evidence of why this would be a most beneficial amendment.” He leaned forward, his gloved fingers sliding over her hand. “I would never demand anything you don’t want to give. But I have a very good feeling you want to give me everything.”
She arched a brow. “You think highly of yourself, Your Grace.”
He slowly brought her hand just before his mouth. “Perhaps we should revisit how…well-endowed I am, Miss Dawson.” His lips skimmed over the tiny patch of skin peeking out between where her glove ended and her cuff began. “You appear to require a reminder.”
A shaky breath escaped her. “A reminder couldn’t hurt.”
His tongue dipped out.
She squirmed, heat washing over her.
“There are so many things I want to do to you, Miss Dawson.” He punctuated his statement with a wicked swirl of his tongue—and dear Lord, she felt that in places she shouldn’t while sitting in her office.
“Let me do them to you.”
“Miss Dawson,” a jovial voice called from the hall.
Theo snatched her hand back, heart rate shooting through the roof, just as Bash bouldered into her office. There was no hiding her flush, nor the Duke’s.
Sebastian stopped short, his gaze landing on the large frame of the Duke sitting in front of her desk. Then it landed on Theo, immediately dropping to her cheeks.
“My apologies,” he said with much too much glee. “I didn’t realize I was interrupting."
