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Mr. Robertson nodded. “Agreed.”
Joy bubbled in her at the sound of his deep voice, and his decisiveness on the issue.
She walked around to face him. Neither disappointment nor anger at her condition was visible. Their agreement was critical to her, both to protect her brother, and to be sure of Mr. Robertson’s motivations toward her.
“Second, I need your word that you will not reveal our…acquaintance. You shall, in fact, assist in all efforts to keep it secret.”
“Agreed.”
Her cheeks burned and her voice warbled when she voiced her next demand.“We must ensure that there are no consequences to the liaison. I’ll take measures against conception, but we cannot be too careful. You must pull out.”
James’s eyebrows raised, but he nodded. “Agreed.”
However vital the next points were to her, however important it was that there be no confusion, it felt unnatural to speak so openly. She was grateful to Mr. Robertson for his calmness now, his acceptance of her initiative.
It made this bit less intimidating, acknowledging that she came to him as an amateur.
“I’ve prepared for this. I…studied. What Icouldstudy. It’s hardly akin to learning verb conjugations. Memorization isn’t adequate for proficiency.” She paused before she continued to ramble. “I obtained some books on…the matter. I’ll do my best to please you.”
“Och, Clara, I haven’t a single doubt about that.” His hands lifted away from his body before he forced them back down to his sides.
She raised an eyebrow. “And I expectyouto do your best to pleaseme.”
Now he looked surprised and amused, though his expression reverted to serious. “Agreed.”
Clara smiled, feeling almost giddy that the moment of true adventure was upon her. What would he do first?
“Any other conditions?”
She shook her head.
“Very well. Then let us turn to my conditions for you.”
Clara’s brow knit.
What?
“First, as long as we remain…acquainted, we meet at our joint convenience. But you must be patient, as I have limited leisure time in which to meet anacquaintance.”
Clara wanted to cluck her tongue. In other words, he didn’t want her to be demanding on his time.
“Agreed,” she said coolly, forcing her eyes not to roll in their sockets.
“Second, our liaison is to last as long asmutuallydesired. As soon as one of us signals the intention to end it, for any reason, I expect the other to respect that request.”
Translation, he expects to tire of me first and doesn’t want a fuss when he casts me aside. We’ll see who tires first.
“Agreed,” she said, squaring her shoulders.
“To be clear,” he continued mercilessly, “myacquaintanceshipsdo not involve sentimentality. I must be certain you understand. I’m not ignorant of the significance your maidenhead has for you—or rather, its loss. I didn’t seek a virgin, and I apologize for approaching you as I did. But you must know that I have no intentions for you—except to please you and be pleased by you, for as long as we both wish.”
Clara fought the urge to laugh at his declaration. He couldn’t think that she had any expectation ofsentimentalityorintentionsfrom someone like him!
Still, it was for the best that they see eye-to-eye on how to proceed. She had her own reasons and plans, and he his, and it was heartening to know that they wouldn’t conflict.
“I’m most glad for your good reason, Mr. Robertson. I agree.”
Their trade was to be body for body, without emotional entanglement. It would be mutual pleasure, nothing more.
