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“You see, I find myself in need of a wife. And not just a wife, but an heir, too. And, as your brothers are hounding you to find a husband, I imagine we can help each other with that. In exchange for your hand in marriage and your ability to birth my heir, I will not stop until I help you find your brother.”
He would need to bed her…a lot. Every night. Multiple times. Kissing her and touching her and making her quiver and squirm from pleasure in his arms… Good God, his loins tightened and swelled in the middle of Bond Street.
So much so that he didn’t notice at first that Calliope had stopped walking and was frozen in place, gaping at him. He walked two steps back towards her, and passersby glared at her because of her sudden stop. She was drawing attention to herself, quite improperly so for a young lady.
“What do you say, Lady Calliope?” he asked as he covertly grasped her elbow to get her moving.
When she resumed her stroll, her eyes were big and darting quickly between his own, her mouth open. Clearly, she was in shock. He imagined it took a lot to shock this feisty little fox.
His breath caught as he waited.
“Heavens…” she muttered. “I never imagined my first marriage proposal would be this…”
“What have you imagined?” he asked. “I realize this sounds like a business proposal. Because it is. I do not need a woman to love. I need a wife who’s able to give me a child within one year. And what I offer isn’t love, either. It is help that you require to find your brother.”
She chuckled, her cheeks reddening. “I understand that. My answer, however, is no.”
He hadn’t expected her to say yes right away and smiled to himself. He could turn a no into a yes. He’d done it countless times.
“I just do not want a husband,” she replied. “I have my own plans, and a husband would surely forbid me doing them, just as my brothers do.”
“I am not most husbands, Lady Calliope. Whatever you wish to do, I am sure we can come to an agreement.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Perhaps I don’t. But I do know your brothers won’t leave you alone until you find someone.”
She sighed heavily and muttered, “Yes, someone like the Marquess of Huntingham.”
Her voice trembled at the name, something about it making a protective part in Nathaniel bristle up.
“Who?” he asked.
“The Marquess of Huntingham. Preston thought he may be a good match.”
Something possessive came over Nathaniel. The very thought of another man courting her made his hands curl into fists. “And is he?”
She gave a small scoff. “No.”
“So maybe I am.”
She stepped aside closer to him to avoid stomping on a small dog darting under her feet. As a gentleman tugged the dog’s leash to him, she stepped away from him again. “My brothers do not hold a high opinion of you, Your Grace.”
“I am aware. Most of the ton does not. However, once you give me an heir, I will leave you alone. You will have my permission to do whatever it is that you want. Within reason, of course.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, attentive. “What is within reason for you?”
“I will not tolerate lovers,” he said coldly.
“You will not need to worry about that. It seems there’s something about me men find disagreeable.”
Disagreeable? Who would find her disagreeable? She may be the most fascinating female he’d ever met in his life.
He could think of only one thing he didn’t care for… When she lectured him about responsibility. But even with that, she was annoyingly right.
“But I would not betray my husband,” she said. “I take the promises I make very seriously.”
He knew she would. She was loyal and kind, or she wouldn’t have risked everything to search for her brother.
