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“Ah, it’s about the money, isn’t it? You want the settlements.” Yet that didn’t make sense either. “Why? You’re already rich as Midas.”
The sudden blaze of hatred in his eyes had her retreating back to the fireplace.
“Not anymore, you stupid girl,” he said as he stalked after her. “Thanks to you.”
She contemplated grabbing the fireplace poker and braining him. But surely not even he would be foolish enough to attack her, with the butler and a footman just outside the door. Still, she hastily moved and put another chair between them.
“Then I don’t understand,” she said. “I have nothing to do with how rich you are.”
“You think not, Ainsley? You were to bring a large fortune to our union. Based on that and on prior discussions with your father, I made certain investments. Some of them were quite . . . forward-thinking.”
Now she understood. “Risky, you mean.”
“There is no profit without risk. Unfortunately, I was ill advised on two of them—one a mining venture, the other founding a bank.” His features pulled tight. “Sadly, both went bankrupt.”
“How unfortunate. But surely you could find another heiress happy to marry you and pull you out of the River Tick.”
He tilted his head to study her. “Would you like to know how much I owe to my creditors?”
“Not really.”
He told her anyway. The figure was beyond staggering.
“Since the vast majority of my estates are entailed, I have very few options,” he said. “You are one of the richest heiresses in England, and I need both the money and land you will bring to our marriage. The money and the landpromisedto me.” He flashed a wolfish smile. “Your dear papa has offered to enhance the settlements if you agree to come home, like the good girl I know you are.”
“Blackmail. You’re blackmailing my parents.”
“Call it what you will. But be assured that any scandal from your divorce would be well worth it.” He took another step forward. “You and your family owe me this, Ainsley. And I will collect, no matter what.”
As badly as she felt for her parents, she was heartsick that they would offer her as a war prize. “Not from me, you won’t. There is nothing you can do that will—”
When he snatched the chair and threw it aside, Ainsley jumped back. Her foot caught the edge of a claw-footed table, causing her to stumble. The marquess was on her in an instant, grabbing her by the neck of her gown and slamming her shoulder into the mantelpiece. For a moment, she was too stunned to utter a sound.
“Nothing?” he snarled, inches away from her face. “I think you’ll soon find how wrong you are.”
She flinched at the sour smell of his breath. For a few, horrible moments, black swarmed at the edges of her vision. Ainsley fought it back, terrified and infuriated by the feel of his body against hers.
“Let me go,” she ground out. “Or I swear I’ll kill you.”
Cringlewood’s mouth split into a nasty grin. But it froze on his face a moment later at the sound of a pistol cocked behind him.
“Best do as she says, yeSassenachprick, or I’ll blow yer bloody brains out,” said Angus.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ainsley had never been happier to see her former nemesis.
“Let her go,” the old man snarled when the marquess didn’t move.
“You should do as he says,” Ainsley managed in a hoarse voice. “Hewillshoot you.”
“Aye, that I will, lass, and I’ll enjoy it, too.”
The marquess cast a glare over his shoulder but finally released her and took a step back. She staggered a bit, her legs shaky with relief.
“Here, sit ye down,” Angus said, coming over to guide her to the chaise. He kept the pistol trained on Cringlewood every moment.
“Are ye all right, lass?” he murmured.
