“As a viscount’s wife, I would be able to retain my independence, and pursue causes I am passionate about. I would have entry to any drawing room in the land, and be able exert my influence and help to shape conversations.”
“And what are these issues you are so eager to champion?”
“The fate of children, women. Injustices like slavery and factory conditions. The Poor Law. The kinds of things my family has fought for since Wilberforce gave his first speech on enslavement.”
“Very forward-thinking of you. But not the whole truth, I’ll be bound.” He gently disentangled the handkerchief from her fingers and set it aside. “What is the real reason?”
She drew in a shuddering breath. “It’s just…Scotland is so very far away. My father and Helen are sending me there before the week is out, pressing me to marry someone I’ve never even met.”
Arranged marriages were common enough. But the thought of Grace being forced into such a situation by her ungrateful father made Lucien clench his fist. He forced his hand to relax then curved his palm against her cheek. “Why such sudden haste to whisk you away from The Willows?”
“You.”
Lucien raised one brow in surprise.
She began to twist her hands together, and he feared they would fair no better than the handkerchief. He caught the tender fingers between his own.
“Papa is convinced that—that there is something between you and me.”
“Ah,” he said, stroking her hands. “Score one for Lord Elliot’s intuition.”
“Last night, after your accident, Bennet, Ethan and Avery couldn’t sleep,” she rushed on. “Their whole world is upside down, yet Father would send me away and leave them no one to comfort them. If I desert them…” Tears coursed down her cheeks. “Lucien, I can’t bear to be sent so far away. Bennet is so little and Avery is so angry. I’m afraid he might do something desperate. And Ethan…I don’t know what he’s feeling half the time, but I need to find out.”
Lucien swallowed hard, astonished at how deeply her plea affected him. He remembered all too well the kiss that had left him so damned restless, and the way she’d touched his bare chest, tended the wound with capable hands, undaunted byfamily drama, the bloody gash, the fact that he was a man she barely knew.
Was he actually tempted to accept her proposal?
“My dear, I would make the very devil of a husband,” he said gently. “Even if we were mad enough to consider this…arrangement…there is an impediment. If Lord Elliot is willing to send you to Scotland to escape my attentions, he would hardly consent to our union.”
She raised her chin, and looked straight into Lucien’s eyes.
“If Papa knew you’d compromised me, he’d have no choice.”
CHAPTER 13
If Papa knew you had compromised me, he would have no choice…
Lucien stared, her words reverberating in his head.
She wanted him to march up to Lord Elliot and tell him…what? That he’d licked pink icing off of her skin in the middle of the night? That he’d held her against him beside the lake when she’d been as good as naked, wearing nothing but a soaked chemise?
“I know I am asking a great deal of you to go before my father and—and admit to a breach of honor.”
Lucien’s lip curled. “On the contrary. My honor has seldom been of concern to me. Besides, there is something in the thought of confounding your father’s plans to send you to Scotland that brings me grim satisfaction. However, I dislike using your reputation as a weapon.”
“I want you to do this. It is the only way to get him to agree to our terms.”
She looked so fervent, hopeful. How desperate must she be, turning to him, Lucien Harcourt, Viscount Everdene, and trusting him to make things right? He had to put some safe distance between them so he couldthink. He crossed to the tableand poured himself a drink, then sampled it, trying to adopt a businesslike mien.
“And what exactly are those terms you speak of?” he said, “I never enter into contracts unless the particulars are spelled out.”
She fretted her lower lip. “I need to remain close to my little brothers. As for the rest, I’m sure we can come to an understanding.”
“You have outlined your expectations. It is important I clarify mine.”
“Of course.” She had a leaf caught in her hair, a small one that must have fallen there on her ride.
He wanted to pluck it out, set it aside, but he forced himself to remain where he was.
