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“I agree. I need to know where I stand...or maybe kneel...?”
Cullen’s blood roared. He could scarcely catch a breath. It felt like drowning, being tethered to the spot enduring this wretched negotiation.
Sunny trailed her fingertips across the back of Nathaniel’s chair. “So why don’t we discuss it over drinks, or maybe an intimate dinner date, hmm?”
“Allow me to deal with Cullen’s destiny first, then we can spend some time together.”
“You intend to send him back to 1820?” She shook her head, acting most disappointed.
Cullen’s spirits lifted.
“He’s proved to be rather a good gardener, and I was hoping you’d let him service my grounds while we’re otherwise engaged.”
Nathaniel chortled. “Gardener? Oh my, what a come down for the second son of Nobleman Thaine.”
Sunny shrugged. “I needed a man about the place, that’s why I had to hold on to him for a while.” Again she fluttered her eyelashes at Fox, running her fingers under the strap of her dress as she did so. “If you’re in agreement, we can leave him to work in my orchards while you take me to dinner and discuss the arrangements for our time together.”
“That would be most agreeable.” Nathaniel inclined his head, then gestured elegantly with his hand. “Might I suggest we dine at the Ritz, in London, or the Waldorf in New York? Or perhaps a trattoria I know in Portofino would be more your style? I can have us there in a flash.”
Sunny shook her head. “I’ve been dying to see your manor house. I’ve heard it’s quite the enchanted palace. Surely you can rustle something up for me in the Fox’s lair?”
Nathaniel’s eyes lit, a sinister smile crossing his face.
He rose to his feet, pushing the rope barrier aside as he did so. “Music to my ears, my dear. I’d be delighted to show you my ‘enchanted palace.’ I’m quite sure that once you step inside, you’ll never want to leave...”
Sunny looped her arm in his, and they strolled past Eben and Cullen. As they did, Sunny glanced briefly Cullen’s way, and he thought he caught guilt and regret in her eyes, then she looked ahead—as if into a future that didn’t include him.
Cullen’s gut twisted. He glared at Nathaniel as he battled his confines, his mind tormented, his body writhing.
Succor poured from the stoic man at his back, who seemed invisible to Nathaniel.
Nathaniel chuckled at Cullen, then shot a pitying glance at the frozen weapon in his hand. “She really doesn’t want you anymore. She has locked you out of her affections, once and for all.”
No, Cullen silently raged, it was Eben who’d locked him out. But he couldn’t speak, couldn’t deny it.
Before they left the room, Sunny paused at the table where Cullen had set down his mother’s jewels, flipped open the jewelry wrap, and picked up a handful of the treasures he’d offered her. She tossed them at his feet. “Keep your trinkets, Cullen. They don’t interest me.”
She flashed her eyes at Nathaniel. “Shall we?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sunny’s stomach knotted.
She quelled the urge to be sick.
It broke her heart to do what she’d had to do. It was crucial though, in order for Fox to trust her. She’d prepared herself thoroughly and once she’d begun, there was no turning back.
Her mind was in turmoil. Surely Cullen would know. Hadn’t she said yes to his proposal? Then again, she’d mistrusted his motives just moments before. Regret clouded her vision and she had to fight back the tears.
A sleek black vehicle awaited Fox outside the entrance to Hollingswell Hall. As they approached, a chauffeur got out of the front seat and opened a door for them to climb into the back.
She glanced at the chauffeur, meaning to thank him.
He had a cap on and his head was bowed, obscuring his features. She ducked to one side to look at him. He continued to stare down at the ground, emotionless and uninvolved, as if devoid of personality.
Sunny felt horribly uncertain. The air of servitude about the man and his lack of personality were oddly foreboding. Is this what Fox did to the people around him?
Sliding into the back seat, it was unexpectedly warm and comfortable, with a soft leather and polished wood interior, luxurious to the nth degree. When Fox climbed in on the other side, however, her heartbeat quickened again. She couldn’t help feeling trapped.
