That maddening smile beneath Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s veil returned. “Lord Thaddeus, may I present Lady Mary Caudale and her brother, Richard Christopher Caudale, Eighth Duke Kirkstone. Your Grace, Lady Mary, this is Lord Thaddeus Ephraim Bolton, son of the Earl of Crookham.
Mary barely heard the words over the thud of her heart and an odd rushing sound in her ears. She blinked again, unable to find her voice.
“Lord Thaddeus.” Kit stepped forward, holding out his hand.
The young man looked a bit surprised at the offer, then took Kit’s hand with a firm grasp, even as he gave a slight bow from the waist. “Your Grace. It is an honor to meet you both.” Then those eyes moved to her. “My lady, I saw you yes—” He broke off and scrubbed a hand over his mouth, reddening his full lips. “My apologies for my appearance. It has begun to rain, and I am afraid the wind made away with my chapeau.”
Mary blinked again, her drifting imagination returning from the northern climes. And his southern hemisphere. “Your valet will be most distressed.”
He almost smiled. “As am I. It was one of my favorites.”
She straightened. “You are a dandy then?”
This time he did smile. “I am afraid most dandies have rather more resources than I do at the moment.”
Kit gave a low growl, probably at the mention of money. Mary did not care. “I have heard, sir, that such is a state of mind, not a matter of finances. A clever man can be inventive when the need arises. Are you a clever man?”
Those eyes flashed, and red blushes appeared across his high cheekbones. “I have been told I am. Are you a clever woman?”
“When I need to be. I have—”
Kit cleared his throat, and Mary broke off, biting her lower lip and dipping her head. She had been too forward, something Kit had warned her about. And Beth.“You are not in Yorkshire any longer, not at Kirkstone. You cannot speak your mind anytime you wish. It is not how things are done in Society.”
But were they not here, in this office, in this moment, precisely because she did not fit anyone’s idea of Society?
“My apologies,” she whispered.
Lord Thaddeus looked startled. And chagrined. He stepped forward. “No, it is—”
“We are here to discuss details.” Mrs. Dove-Lyon gestured toward the unoccupied armchair. “Lord Thaddeus, please sit.”
He did. The blush in his cheeks had spread, and he remained silent.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon pulled three sheaths of paper from a drawer in her desk and handed one each to Lord Thaddeus and Kit, settling one in front of herself.
Mary waited, then realized no copy had been made for her. She clutched her hands together in her lap and pressed her back against the chair, determined to remain silent, no matter how much she desired to speak.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon continued. “I had my solicitor draw up a proposed marriage agreement. In addition to the usual terms there are provisions for His Grace to clear any debts currentlyheld by Lord Thaddeus, although he would not be responsible for future ones. There will be a small dowry to cover initial expenses, and His Grace will cover the cost of a wedding breakfast, if one is desired. The married couple will share the Kirkstone London townhouse with the duke and duchess while they remain here and will continue to do so after they leave for India.”
She took a breath and flipped a page, as did they. “Once married, Lady Mary will have charge of the London home, sharing that with the dowager duchess if she is also in residence. Lord Thaddeus will have access only to Lady Mary’s resources—he will not have access to the Kirkstone estate in any way, and he is urged to develop resources of his own, beyond his family allowance.”
Another page turned. “All family matters, whatever their nature, will be kept confidential. There will be no outside discussions regarding finances, lineage, or personal possessions, including artwork and jewelry.” She looked up at Lord Thaddeus. “You have heirs.”
His mouth jerked. “None that I know of.”
Mary stared at the floor. Kit and Mrs. Dove-Lyon stared at him. After a tense moment, he muttered, “No.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon continued. “Any children born to either partner, in whatever circumstance, shall be acknowledged by both when confirmed by one and have the right to claim either family’s name with mutual agreement of all parties, without claim to resources of the same.”
Lord Thaddeus scowled. “What does that mean?”
Heat washed over Mary, and she chewed her lower lip.Please. Please.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon remained placid. “It means that if a by-blow shows up on your doorstep from a previous mistress, and you know for certain the child is yours, then you will acknowledgethem as heir with a right to your name but not your assets unless by future agreement by both families.”
Lord Thaddeus let out a long sigh. “Ah. No worries there. Go on.”
Mary’s head snapped up.How could he be so certain?
