by Cheryl Holt
“With good reason when there are sharks like you and your father swimming in the water.” His mind was awhirl, trying to gauge Fenwick’s veracity, and he seemed very sincere. “What happened to her mother?”
“She died birthing Annabelle so my sister was mostly raised by my father’s mistresses. We all were.”
“Did she ever seek assistance from her grandfather?”
“Just one humiliating time. He had his footmen throw her off the property.”
“Really? That’s rather harsh.”
“He was a miserly cow. He likely thought—if he let her in the door—she’d steal the silver.”
“Will you two steal mine?” Benjamin asked.
“I might have considered it, but Annabel likes you so I won’t.”
“Annabel—who is an earl’s granddaughter and an earl’s first cousin.”
“She is, I swear. Ask her. She’ll tell you. Maybe—if she’s in the mood to share.”
The longer they chatted, the more Benjamin realized Fenwick was incredibly dangerous. He was confident and controlled, so interesting and effusive. He could weave any yarn and make it sound credible so he was the worst person to be socializing with young, gullible Wesley. How could Benjamin be shed of the unrepentant criminal without upsetting Annabel?
“So Captain,” Fenwick said, “a few minutes ago you were pondering what you should do with me. I’m ready to put the question back on you.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning I returned from London before dawn. I was exhausted so I headed straight to my bedchamber. Imagine my surprise when I walked into my bedroom.”
Benjamin wasn’t always the fastest runner in the race so it took him a moment to grasp what Fenwick was implying. He was too flustered to respond, but then what remark could possibly be appropriate?
“My sister is unique and marvelous,” Fenwick said.
“She is,” Benjamin agreed.
“I’m her only male relative, and I have to watch out for her. Will you offer a justification for your behavior?”
“No, and if you’re hoping to challenge me to a duel, I won’t participate. Or if you’re expecting a marriage proposal, I can’t oblige you. I’m pledged elsewhere.”
“Yes, the whole bloody world knows you’re about to wed your darling Veronica.” He stopped then snickered. “Or should I say Wesley’s darling?”
“Don’t be smart, Fenwick, or I’ll come round this desk and knock your teeth out.”
“You could try,” the little cur smugly retorted, “but enough about me. We were discussing Annabel.”
“Is this where you coerce money out of me?”
“Yes,” Fenwick blithely replied.
“I was wondering when you’d get to it. How much will you require? Will you empty my purse?”
Benjamin’s spirits flagged. He and Annabel had fought over this very issue. Had it been a swindle all along?
“But I don’t think Annabel would want your money,” Fenwick suddenly said.
“What would she want?”
“Love? Affection? She doesn’t have much of a positive opinion about men so she wouldn’t have welcomed you into her bed unless she was extremely fond of you.”
“I believe she is fond.” Benjamin scowled. “Did she ask you to talk to me?”
“No.”
“She has no idea we’re conferring about her?”
“No,” Fenwick said again. “I assume her virginity is squandered.”
“I won’t parlay over the details with you, Fenwick. Just tell me what you want.”
“Are you besotted? Would you like to keep her? What is your view of the affair? Was this a simple roll in the hay or are you seeking a lengthier connection?”
Benjamin felt as if they’d tiptoed out onto thin ice. He’d like to keep her forever, but she’d never consent and it would go counter to his every vow as to how he’d act once he was wed.
Yet the chance to have her for his very own was so tantalizing. He was practically breathless at considering how fantastic it would be.
“I’d like a very lengthy commitment from her,” he said, “but I doubt she’d give it to me. She’s determined to return to London and never see me again. She was about to leave yesterday—she had her trunk packed—but I stopped her.”
“I can convince her to have you, but I don’t trust you.”
“I don’t exactly trust you either.”
“And I have to protect her.”
“I understand.”
“I’d want terms in writing,” Fenwick insisted. “I’d want it all spelled out so you can’t renege or fail to provide what you promise.”
“I would never renege,” Benjamin huffed. “She makes me happy. I’ll gladly pay for her to be by my side for as long as she chooses to stay.”
“What if your bride finds out and demands you part with her?”
The notion of his marriage seemed very far away, as if it was happening to some other fellow, in some other life.
“My wife won’t be permitted to interfere in my private business.”
Fenwick appeared as if he might comment—about matrimony or Veronica—but in the end the remark went unvoiced.
“I need a piece of paper and a quill,” Fenwick said.
“What for?”
“I’ll draft an agreement.”
“Can you actually read and write, you charlatan?” Benjamin asked.
“You’d be surprised by what I can do.”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
For an instant, Benjamin hesitated. Was he really about to proceed? Would he take a mistress a few weeks prior to his wedding?
London was a vicious place where gossip could kill a person. He’d learned that lesson as a young man of twenty when rumor and innuendo had ruined his and Soloman’s lives.
There was no way to keep such a liaison a secret, and there were too many people who would delight in whispering to a new bride about her husband’s infidelities. Would he shame Veronica right before she became his wife? Was he that debauched? That cruel and insensitive?
Apparently yes.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of paper. He pushed it across the desk along with the ink pot and a jar of quills. Fenwick pondered for a minute then quickly penned a list as if he’d completed such a task a hundred times previous.
He signed his name with a grand flourish then shoved the document to Benjamin. He picked it up and found that it included the usual boons: a rented house, a quarterly stipend, a clothing allowance, a carriage, four servants.
There were also financial contingencies about the prospect of his siring children on her which he would be careful not to do. He hadn’t exercised much caution so far, but he would from now on.
The greatest item was the contract’s length: five years.
As Benjamin read the words, he quailed, feeling temporarily weak in the knees. Was he ready to bind himself to Annabel for such an extended period? He barely knew her! But his panic swiftly waned.
He vividly recollected the first day of his party when she’d been target shooting. Or how about the way she expertly rode a horse? How she’d galloped through that meadow with her nephew? Or how she carried a pistol? Life with her would be merry and fun, filled with laughter and surprises. He’d never have a dull moment.
He signed his name then saw that—while he’d been perusing the document—Fenwick had made a second copy so they’d both have one. They signed again then Benjamin said, “Will you tell her or will I?”
“I’ll tell her. Initially, she might be upset.”
“Why would she be? She’ll be safe with me. I’ll always look out for her.”
“I’m sure you will or I wouldn’t have suggested this, but she can be stubborn.”
“Yes, she can be,” Benjamin concurred.
“She’s hard-headed and much too independent.”
“She’s all of that too.”
“She might not realize why this is good for her so I’l
l have to explain it.”
Benjamin suffered another surge of panic as he wondered if she’d refuse. “You’ll wear her down?” he tentatively asked. “Can you persuade her? You’re positive?”
“She listens to me. It’ll be a piece of cake.”
Fenwick picked up his copy of the contract and started out.
Benjamin was in a state of shock, feeling stunned over his agreement, but it was exactly what he wanted to transpire. He simply hadn’t recognized it—until her brother had pointed out that it was the only logical course.
“Fenwick?” he called.
“Yes?”
“Have you done this sort of thing before?”
“What? Negotiate for a mistress?”
“Yes.”
“No, but my father used to help his friends.” Fenwick grinned a wicked grin. “I was a smart boy and a dutiful son. I always paid attention.”
“Are you certain you’re not a lawyer?” Benjamin inquired.
“I probably should have been, but I’m too devious. I’m a felon at heart.”
“Don’t practice any of your trickery on me,” Benjamin warned. “Don’t even think about scamming me. I’m not a callow idiot like my brother.”
Fenwick chuckled. “Aren’t you? You should reflect on that idea.”
Then he was gone, and Benjamin flopped back in his chair.
He allowed a final wave of panic to flood him then he shoved it away, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
Annabel would be his. For five whole years! He couldn’t imagine how life could ever get any better than that.
“HOW WAS YOUR NIGHT?” Michael asked his sister.
“It was fine.”
They were in their sitting room, and she was attired in her riding habit, her hair tidy and tied with a ribbon. But she was so glum she might have been about to visit the barber to have a tooth pulled.
“You don’t look as if it was fine,” he said. “You look awful. Are you ill?”
“No, just weary. Lydia wrote to Mr. Boswell to inform him that Harry was at her house. He dragged Harry back to school, and he left instructions that you and I are never to have any contact with him again.”
“That witch. I hope she receives her comeuppance someday.”
“I doubt the universe will ever grant us that wish.”
The maids had delivered a breakfast tray for her which she’d ignored. He was seated at a table by the hearth, nibbling on the food while she was over by the window and staring out at the park.
“I’m not inclined to have Lydia foil us,” he said. “If she orders us about, why would we heed her? Let’s sneak to the school and kidnap him. We’ll take him to London. He’d be happy, and so would you.”
“Lydia knows where we live. They’d come for him.”
“We could move and not tell her where we are.”
She sighed, her woe practically tangible. She glanced over her shoulder. “How was your evening in town? Was it exciting?”
“Gad, yes. I was at this opulent betrothal ball for Lord Wood’s daughter, and Soloman Grey absconded with the bride—in front of the groom and her father.”
“Soloman Grey? Captain Grey’s cousin?”
“Yes, and it appeared as if he’d debauched her up in her bedchamber. Then he carried her out—barely dressed. The guests stood in the foyer and watched them go.”
“You’re joking.”
“No. It was the wildest spectacle ever.”
“Captain Grey has been searching everywhere for his cousin. Is he aware that Soloman was sighted? Did you apprise him?”
“I didn’t think it was up to me. His brother was there too and his mother. I suppose they’ll sort it out.”
“Yes, I suppose they will.”
In the bedroom, her traveling trunk was balanced on a chair, her belongings packed in it.
“Are you leaving?” he asked.
“I’m considering it. I can’t decide.”
“You’ll head to London?”
“Yes. Would you come with me?”
“I have a few more days where I can gamble. I’d like you to stay and help me.”
“We shouldn’t continue to socialize with the Grey brothers.”
“You see disaster approaching?”
“Yes.” She chuckled, but morosely. “Don’t mind me. I’m in a miserable mood.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m ruing and regretting.”
“That’s not like you, Annabel.”
“No, it’s not. I’m just...” She stopped and turned back to stare outside. She pondered then said, “I’m feeling my age, I guess.”
“You poor, decrepit woman. Twenty-four is so absolutely elderly.”
“I sound mad, I know. I’m craving some stability. We tease Lydia about it, but I’d kill for us to have a home of our own and a place where we belong.”
“We’re fine, Annabel.”
“At the moment, it doesn’t seem like it to me. Our being here at Grey Manor has made me covetous. The Greys have so much, and we have so little.”
“But we’re not stuck as they are. We’re happy and free, and if we don’t like how things are, we can change them. In my view, that’s a huge benefit.”
“Don’t you ever yearn for more than what we have?”
“We’ll get there. I intend to meet a very rich girl. She’ll marry me and give me all her pretty money. Once that occurs, I’ll buy you a house. You’ll be safe forever.”
“It’s exactly the type of fantasy Father would have spun.”
“Well, I hope I’m a bit smarter than he was. I’ll have what I want—eventually. In the interim, I have a surprise for you.”
She whirled around. “What is it?”
“Initially, you might not think it’s a good idea, but hear me out.”
“Oh, no,” she groaned. “What have you done now?”
“Sit down with me. I’ll tell you.”
He gestured for her to join him at the table, and for an eternity she glared at him and remained where she was.
“It’s great news, Annabel,” he said. “I swear.”
“It better be or I’ll wring your neck.”
She walked over and pulled up a chair. For a woman who was madly in love, she certainly looked wretched. And he was positive she was in love with Captain Grey.
He and his sister had grown up like soldiers on a battlefield. They’d constantly dodged bullets, but had survived every melee with just a few wounds and most of them had healed. Because of their chaotic childhood, they were closer than two siblings could ever be.
He knew she would never, ever, never have succumbed to Captain Grey’s attentions unless she was smitten beyond all reason. It’s why she was so glum. Her behavior went against every principle she’d ever believed.
She’d surrendered her virtue and was wondering if it had been worth it. Well, if it had merely been several tumbles with no recompense then it hadn’t been. But Michael—by negotiating the agreement he had—had made it worth it. The tricky issue now was to convince her it was the appropriate way to proceed.
“I stumbled on an interesting sight last night,” he said as his opening salvo.
“More interesting than a kidnapping at a betrothal ball?”
“Much more interesting than that.”
“My, my. What was it?”
“After the ball ended, I didn’t like the company in Wesley’s party so I rode to Grey Manor.”
“I thought you just arrived. I didn’t realize you had traveled in the dark.”
“I was exhausted so I was eager to climb into bed, but I couldn’t because my bed was occupied.”
It took her a minute to decipher what he was saying then her cheeks flushed a hot shade of red.
“Oh,” she muttered then she hurriedly added, “I can explain.”
“There’s no need. After Captain Grey traipsed off to find you the other day, I figured the horse was out of the barn.”
She put her
hands over her eyes. “Gad, I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. This sort of thing happens in our world.”
“Not to me.”
“It’s all right, Annabel.” He reached over and drew her hands away from her face. “I’ve made it all right.”
“What do you mean?”
“I spoke to Captain Grey about you.”
She froze. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“He’s besotted, and we’ve settled on an arrangement.”
“About what?” She frowned. “About me?”
“Yes. He’s consented to have you as his mistress.”
“His mistress! I don’t want to be his mistress.”
“You say that now, but—”
“And I’ll say it a hundred years from now. I don’t want to be his mistress!”
“You can’t blithely trifle with him. What if you have a babe together?”
“We won’t.” Yet she couldn’t hold his gaze.
“But you might,” he pressed. “It’s always a possibility, and you have to protect yourself. I have protected you.”
“In what way?”
“He accepted all my terms. He didn’t quibble about a single one.”
“Your terms,” she mumbled as if she’d never heard the word before.
He pulled the contract from his coat and pushed it over to her, watching her as she read the stipulations.
“A house, servants, a carriage,” she said. “Isn’t he generous?”
“He was very generous. Don’t pretend he wasn’t.”
“Except for one very small problem.”
“What?”
“You dickered over me as if I were a cow at a fair.”
“It wasn’t like that!” he fumed, his temper sparking.
Her temper was flaring too. “Wasn’t it? He’s offered to pay me for services rendered, but I am not a prostitute!”
“Of course you’re not. You are the granddaughter of an earl, the first cousin to an earl. Captain Grey can’t dally with you without compensation.”
“It was my choice to proceed with him,” she shouted. “He had nothing to do with it.”
“Didn’t he? Who was that naked man I saw lying in bed with you?”
“Michael, you two are such...men. You didn’t stop to think about my opinion.”
“If I left it up to you, I know exactly how you’d behave. You’d tell me you were in love and you were participating out of the goodness of your heart. You’d tell me it was all based on affection, and there is no duty or payment owed.”
