AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes.”
“No matter. I can give him the money to repay Ravenwood and he’ll never know the difference.”
“He won’t accept it.”
“Why?” Suspicion filled him as she fidgeted. “Why would Sir Geoffrey turn down such an offer when it would take care of his debt and make him a rich man?” Her lips compressed, and dread cast its shadow over his heart. “I asked you a question, madam. Why would he not accept such a generous offer?”
“Because it is a matter of honor.”
“You mean it is a matter of secrecy.” Cold fury settled into the pit of his stomach. “Do Eden’s wishes factor into your decisions at all, I wonder? She does not love him. She loves me.”
Her chin rose. “Again, I tell you Eden has made no mention of such strong sentiment where you are concerned. If she did have such feelings for you, she will have to learn to be content with her lot. She has accepted Ravenwood’s offer, their engagement has been made public, and it will stand.”
Prudence warred briefly with anger and lost. “Eden expressed her sentiments to me in privat
e because she knew you did not approve of me. She asked me to wait in the hope you would see reason and accept her choice. You’ve driven her into a corner and forced her to accept a man she does not love.”
“On what do you base these claims, may I ask?” she countered. “You have not seen Eden in—”
“Several hours,” he finished for her, gratified to see her jaw again drop. “Yes. I attended Lord Dunsany’s house party last night, during which I spoke with Eden at length. She told me everything.” He debated but an instant before continuing. It was the only way. “I did not wish to be indelicate and would have preferred to address Sir Geoffrey, but as he refuses to see me and has put you in charge of the matter, I will address it with you.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “If Ravenwood’s terms stipulate his bride’s virginal state, then I’m afraid he is in for quite a disappointment.”
Her eyes went wide in her ashen face. “What?”
“I would speak with your husband, madam,” he reiterated, refusing to elaborate further. “I require his signature.” Reaching into his breast pocket, he withdrew the special marriage license and extended it so she could see the archbishop’s signature and seal.
It was as if he held out a naked blade rather than a piece of parchment.
“No,” she said, backing away. “Too much depends on this marriage. You must leave at once and never return.”
“And if Eden is with child? My child? What then will you do?”
“If there is a child, he won’t know it’s not his,” she hissed. “As for you, it certainly would not be the first time your cuckoo ended up in another man’s nest. Eden will marry Ravenwood. If she chooses to carry on an affair with you after she speaks her vows, that’s her own business—and her husband’s.”
He stared at her, unbelieving. “You would rather Eden engage in adultery than allow her to marry a man she loves, a man who loves her in return? Have you neither heart nor soul?”
“This is not a matter of the heart but of necessity,” she replied in a strained whisper. “Even if you speak the truth, this engagement cannot be broken. She must marry him.”
He took a step closer, ignoring the stark terror in her face. “What knowledge does Ravenwood possess to buy such fierce loyalty? I wonder if the knowledge I hold concerning the fellow would trump it. Do you know what sort of man it is to whom you’ve sold Eden?”
“A ruthless one,” she said dully.
“How so?” When she did not immediately speak, he prompted her again. “You will tell me now. How so?”
When she spoke, the words sounded as though they were being dragged out of her. “My husband’s debt was not limited to merchants and tradesmen. He owed a great deal to the crown. He was only able to avoid being taken to prison by using Eden’s dowry to satisfy part of it with the promise the rest would be paid before the year is out.”
A mixture of disgust and pity washed over him, leaving behind a sour taste in his mouth. “He robbed his own daughter and then sold her to pay the rest of it. That a man could sink so low is—”
“He had no choice,” she snapped. “The marriage settlement has already satisfied his debts, and Ravenwood has used his influence at court to have all record of transgression expunged. He holds those records now and has promised to give them to Sir Geoffrey after the wedding. Once we have them they will be destroyed, and it will be as if it never happened.”
Her desperate eyes began to brim. “He offered us a new life, a fresh start. But if she does not honor her commitment no amount of money from any source will save us.” The tears broke containment. “Ravenwood knows she favors you. He has threatened to use his influence to have Sir Geoffrey hung for treason if she throws him over, and I believe he will do it if he does not get what he wants.”
So, Ravenwood had friends in high places. He wondered exactly who they were and how one so young had managed to climb so high. He had an idea, but it wasn’t something he could say in the presence of a lady. “Why her?” he asked instead. He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear her opinion. “He’s not in love with her—this I know for certain. So why Eden, specifically?”
A shrug lifted her shoulders. “He’s not said anything but that she is his choice, and he will have no other.” Her manner softened. “Please, I beg you to cease your pursuit of her. If you would not condemn her to Hell’s fire for adultery, if you really do love her, then leave her be. Let her find what contentment she may in her marriage. He has sworn to be good to her, to treat her well, but if you continue this madness and come between them…”
Every drop of blood in his veins froze as he looked down into Lady Catherine’s imploring face. “Madam, I am already between them, and it is because I love her that I cannot allow her to marry him.” It was time to show his hand—at least in part. “I’m sure you are as aware of Ravenwood’s reputation as you are of mine; however, you don’t know the extent of his degeneracy. I do. The man is a libertine of the sort to put my past into deep shade. I won’t subject your gentle sensibilities to the sordid details of his depravity, but will say only that certain of his vices bear the penalty of death should he ever be caught indulging them.”
One shaking, beringed hand rose to cover lips suddenly devoid of color. A small, strangled noise escaped from beneath it.
