Page 27 of The Devil’s Submission

Grayson reached up and stroked the backs of his fingers against her cheek. “You must care for me a great deal to do this. To change.”

“I love you more than anything in the world, and always will. But I’m not changing. I’m discovering. As I said before, when I am my true self, you can be your true self, and we are both happy. We are both free. Well, I’m nearly free…” Eliza finished awkwardly.

“Are you thinking of your mother?”

“Yes. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to Papa, or the academy and its teachers and students. But if you write Mother another blasted bank draft, she wins easily.”

He grinned, his eyes suddenly alight with wickedness. “Eliza Jean Brimley Deveraux. Surely you know that nothing with me and money is ever easy. Naturally a sum of fifteen thousand pounds comes with certain non-negotiable conditions.”

Laughter bubbled. “Such as?”

“Whatever you see fit to impose. I bow to you in all things…as will your dear mother.”

Eliza stared at him, joy unfurling in her heart at the resolute support to take control of her own life. “I’d like for you to accompany me to the academy, then.”

“That, my darling, beloved Lizzie, is a show I wouldn’t miss for the world.”

…

The Brimley Finishing Academy was a stately property, one large central building, two smaller wings on either side, and a lovely landscaped garden in the front. But as their carriage moved down the gravel driveway, Eliza truly regretted her lack of brandy on the journey with Grayson and Lord Upton. After all the talking, this was the day of action. And she didn’t know if she had the courage to face down her mother once and for all.

Grayson cleared his throat. “You know, Eliza, that signage is most impressive. Delightful, Decorous, and Demure in preparation for excellent marriages? The academy is not getting just reward for its contribution to the fabric of English society.”

She sniffed, her lips twitching at his effort to distract her. “Oh, hush up. That foolish philosophy will be the first to go.”

“So what will it be, then? Saucy, Sinful, and Seductive? You’ll have gentlemen beating down the door for such a wife…” he replied, his words trailing off in a look of tender bliss as she discreetly pinched him.

Gracious, that was the least of what she’d done to Grayson throughout the night. She’d had him again and again, most recently when the sun rose and spilled orange light into their bedchamber. Her new favorite toy, the cane, was well broken in. As were the lengths of satin she’d used to restrain his wrists, and the delightful solid gold miniature balls she’d tried for herself. She ached all over; Grayson’s skin was a tapestry of faint marks and scratches. But the haunted look had left his eyes, the tension released from his shoulders. He had found peace, and in turn, so had she.

“Oh, for God’s sake, you two,” said Lord Upton, hurling a cushion at them from the opposite side of the carriage as it came to a halt. “I will cast up my accounts if you don’t immediately cease and desist. And will you please explain why I’m at the bloody Brimley Finishing Academy of all places…damnation, Gray. You are smiling that smile. I don’t know how our governess ever fell for it; it only ever meant Deveraux trouble.”

Grayson snorted as he assisted her from the carriage. “Peter, I’m shocked. How could you possibly think three Deverauxs descending on the Brimley Finishing Academy would result in such a thing?”

“Because trouble is what we always did best. And I strongly suspect Lady Eliza is very much a Deveraux in that respect.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, dear brother-in-law,” said Eliza, widening her eyes innocently. “I do have a plan, though. And I promise it will be worth the early start to travel here.”

“Lord Grayson! Eliza! What an, er, unexpected delight,” called Lady Brimley as she flung open the door and appeared on the academy’s front steps.

Perspiration misted on the back of her neck, but Eliza took a deep breath and forced herself to be calm. “Hello, Mother,” she said as coolly as she could. “We’ve come to deliver a draft for fifteen thousand pounds.”

Lady Brimley blinked, a small victory in itself. “Oh, how wonderful! Do come in…and greetings to you also, Lord Upton! Well I never. What a treat to have a supremely eligible viscount visit us as well.”

Lord Upton winced, clearly unhappy at the reminder, but after exchanging a glance, the three of them followed the countess inside and into the charming, if slightly shabby, parlor. The academy sorely needed redecorating. At the top of the list: new paint, thick rugs, and curtains not coated in years of damp and dust.

“I’m so glad you finally did your duty, Eliza. You are useful after all,” continued Lady Brimley, holding out her hand. “Now, where is that draft? I’d hate to hold you up from your busy lives.”

Eliza laughed at the familiar tactic, an order masquerading as concern. “Are you trying to get rid of us, Mother?”

Lady Brimley faltered. “Excuse me?”

“We’ve come for a nice, long visit. To look around and discuss the terms of the draft.”

“Terms? What…what on earth are you talking about?”

“Business,” said Eliza, tilting her head. “You know, I really have learned so much working side by side with my husband on the ledgers and such. Wouldn’t you say, Grayson?”

“Without question, my dear,” said her husband, his lips twitching. “You really are a master tradeswoman now. I’ve never seen terms so expertly crafted.”