She glanced at him, then, her skirts brushing his legs as she partially turned.“My father was very savvy with how he structured his finances and the addendums within his will.”
Behind him Ralph cleared his throat.Did he like Priscilla?Was he concerned about how much trouble this cousin might be?
“So he can’t stop you from marrying a man of your choosing.”
“No,” Priscilla shook her head.“Though he’s been rather savvy about my schedule in limiting my ability to meet potential suitors.And other than a small allowance, I don’t receive control of my inheritance either.Not until the age of five and twenty.Four more years.”
“Ah,” he said, thinking about how the man had nearly kept them from seeing each other today.“So you’re trapped for a good long while then.”An irritation, usually only reserved for the criminals of the night or spectres from his past seeped into his muscles.Automatically, he snapped the reins so the carriage picked up speed again.
The vehicle lurched forward as Priscilla grabbed the side of the carriage, her body careening back.He reached out a hand to steady her, his fingers wrapping about her upper arm.
His fingers and palm nearly circled her entire biceps, he noted, as he held her steady.Slowing the carriage again, he easily controlled the horses with one hand.“Apologies, Priscilla.My irritation over your comment seemed to have affected my driving.”
Which was odd.He never allowed himself emotional responses.
Rather than upset her, he earned another smile, this one sending tendrils of something warm curling through his body.“Think nothing of it.Eugene drives me to distraction as well.”
He chuckled at first until a more sinister realization made him stop.His hands clenched tighter on the reins though he did not push the horses faster this time.“Is he hurting you, Priscilla?”
Her head dipped, shielding her features from his view as she paused.When she tipped her head back up, her warm brown eyes had a distinctly resolute glint.“Any harm that befalls me at his hands is tolerable provided that it is temporary.What drove me to place the ad is that the new earl would like to make our relationship more permanent.”
He blinked in surprise.“Permanent?How so?He wants to marry you?”
She nodded.“He does.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask why when Ralph mumbled behind him, “She must have one hell of a dowry.”
Priscilla turned back to look at Ralph, her brows lifting even as her lips parted.“Good afternoon.”
Wyatt gave a quick look back and noted that Ralph had the decency to look embarrassed by his interruption.Even he knew that it was rude to insert himself into a conversation.Ralph didn’t generally abide manners, which Wyatt enjoyed, mostly.“Don’t mind him,” he said with a wink.“He forgets to control his tongue.”
Priscilla assessed Ralph for another moment before she turned back to him.“Since we’re putting a fine point on the situation… Yes, Eugene would like control of all the funds my father managed to will to me.”Then she cleared her throat.“And your reason for answering my ad?”
He turned his face to the right, pointing at his scar.“I think it’s obvious.”
Priscilla glanced at his cheek for a moment before her gaze returned to his.There was no hint of revulsion only confusion.“Surely that is only a minor setback.”
Ralph barked out a laugh that he quickly covered with a cough.
“What do you mean by that, my lady?”He appreciated her words, truthfully.First because he’d been worried that the scar was more than minor.Perhaps it was just his memory of how he received it that made him uncomfortable.
She shook her head.“You’re still attractive, youthful, and titled.Which leads me to wonder why you might want to strike a bargain with me.You’d have your pick of women, I’d think.”
She was shrewd, he’d give her that.She’d been honest too, which is why he’d return the favor.To a point.“I’m scarred enough that I’d prefer not to participate in society.You know how the gossip columns are.What do you think they might name me?I’ll guarantee it will be nearly as painful as acquiring this mark.”
And besides.He’d much prefer a quick match of convenience.
Her tongue came out, giving the smallest lick to the corner of her mouth.His gaze settled on the spot, hardly able to look away.Why was she able to drive him to distraction when no one else had?Not in some time.Perhaps it was just because he’d not spent time with any woman in two years at least.“If it’s not too impolite to ask, how did you get the mark?It looks new.”Her voice held a concern that made him ache but he cast that emotion aside to focus on the question.
It was one he hated to answer.
CHAPTERFOUR
Priscilla knewit was a very personal question for a first meeting but he’d asked her several so it only seemed fair.But as the silence stretched out, she wondered if she’d erred.Then again, however he answered, she’d learn a great deal about the man.
Did he have a temper?
Did he dislike a woman who spoke her mind?
