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Araminta.

She’dliterally knocked him over, and he could think of little else since meeting her, including the woman standing before him. That either made him shallow and fickle, or he’d finally regained his senses.

Hevery much suspected it was the latter.

Eudorasashayed closer and ran a gloved fingertip from his neckcloth to his waistcoat’s first button. A seductress’s practiced move. She obviously believed she had him wrapped around her little finger, that he’d concede to her every wish and whim.

Shehad miscalculated.

Tremendously.

“And, how may I ask, did you manage that?” he asked

Hewas dashed curious to know.

Eudoraglanced upward, clearly confident of her physical charms.

“You are a Westbrook, Darius. Mama realized what a powerful, wealthy, and influential family you have. She doesn’t even mind that you’re so far removed from inheriting the title.” Eudora swept her mouth into another artificial smile. “Mama has decided ours would be an acceptable match. Aren’t you pleased?”

DidEudora have any idea how mercenary and condescending she sounded?

“I’m flattered, I’m sure.” Sarcasm dripped from each word.

Howcould he not have seen she was no better than her mother when it came to coveting station, position, power, wealth, and influence?

Stillcompletely oblivious to his derision, Eudora gave him a brilliant smile. “She has a few provisions, mind you⁠—”

I’ll just bet she does.

“—but I’m certain the stipulations aren’t anything we cannot compromise on,” she finished confidently.

Dariusscratched an itch at his nape before nodding. “Go on.”

“Well…” For the first time, Eudora seemed hesitant, and uncertainty shadowed her features. A moment later, she’d regained her equanimity. “She says if the Latham duchy were to guarantee you a minimum five-thousand-pound allowance annually and provide an estate with paid staff for us, she would permit me to marry you.”

Five thousand…?

An estate? With staff?

SweetJesus.

Whata money-grasping, conniving bit of muslin.

“Is that all?” Darius replied in a dry voice, barely keeping the contempt thrumming through him from his expression and tone.

“I knew you’d agree, darling,” Eudora purred, still completely ignorant of his pointed and caustic mockery.

She’s dense as a parsnip.

Beaming, she splayed both palms against his chest, giving him the understanding that she wasn’t the innocent miss she’d pretended to be.

“Naturally, Mama would wish to live with us when she isn’t traveling with her companion. I’m positive you wouldn’t begrudge her an allowance and her own personal staff.”

“You two seem to have worked out all the details—addressed every consideration.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers.

“Oh, yes. Yes, we have, indeed.” A sunny smile lit Eudora’s face—a face Darius had once believed the most exquisite he’d ever beheld.

UntilAraminta came into his life, that was.