AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Unfortunately, people might make the connection once they see you together,” Royal said. “Tira looks exactly like you.”
“She’s just a baby.”
“One who has your coloring, including your eyes.”
“All right, but I don’t think that’s an insurmountable obstacle. People generally believe what they’re led to believe, and they all clearly believe Tira is a Kendrick. Several of your brothers have dark hair and blue eyes, so we can say she takes after them.”
Royal’s only reply was a grunt.
“It’s not like we ever have to visit London,” she pressed, “and hardly anyone I know comes to Scotland, including my family.”
Not that anyone in her family would ever talk to her again.
“Ainsley, you do remember that you hate Scotland, don’t you?” he asked. “Are you really prepared to spend the rest of your life here, as the wife of a common younger son?”
Royal didn’t believe she could give up her pampered existence, but he was wrong. “I’m sure I’ll adjust.”
When he hauled himself up and walked over to replenish his glass, Ainsley marshaled patience. Given everything he knew about her, including that she’d given up her daughter partly to return to her old life, his caution was entirely understandable.
When he again propped a shoulder against the mantel, she sensed he was putting distance between them.
“Ainsley, you’ve spent your life in the lap of luxury. I’m not a rich man, by any means, nor is Glasgow the most exciting city in the world.”
“What good did that pampered life do for me?” she challenged. “It couldn’t keep me safe, or even give me the freedom to make my own choices. If anything, the fact that I’m an heiress has made my life more complicated.”
He pondered that for a few moments. “I don’t wish to pry, but I’m not sure what the arrangements are regarding your fortune.” He held up a hand before she could reply. “And I don’t give a confounded hang about your money. It won’t affect my decision.”
She smiled at him. “I know, and I don’t mind telling you. I’ll be worth fifteen thousand pounds a year if I marry an acceptable suitor. Papa will also gift me with a prime hunting box from his grandmother, along with a portion of my maternal grandmother’s jewels.”
“What if you marry someone not acceptable?”
“Then my father will ensure that I receive not a shilling.”
She was rather proud of how unconcerned she sounded, even though she felt sick even saying the horrifying words. But she’d been repeating them in her head for weeks now, so she would get used to it. The idea of being poor and dependent was daunting. But if she had to be dependent on anyone, she would choose Royal in a heartbeat.
He shook his head. “I always thought your father doted on you.”
“So did I,” she said dryly.
“That’s bloody awful.” He hesitated. “You’re truly sure about this? Because you must know it won’t be easy to give up everything you’re used to, including your family.”
Ainsley stood and joined him by the fireplace. She placed a hand flat on his chest and met his cautious gaze.
“Royal, I only desire two things. First, I want to be safe from Cringlewood. Even more importantly, I want to be with my daughter. These five months away from her . . .” Her throat went tight, forcing her to pause for a moment. “It’s just about killed me.”
He covered her hand. “I knew you would miss her, of course, but I thought you’d be able to move on with your life, knowing she was safe with us.”
“I tried, I truly did.” Her voice cracked. “But I simply cannot go on without—”
He pressed a kiss to her brow. “You don’t have to say more. I understand completely.”
“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “It’s shameless the way I’m using you—asking you to agree to a sham marriage just so I can be with my daughter. I can’t imagine what you must think of me.”
She was so wrapped up in her bout of self-pity that it took several moments to realize he’d turned into a block of stone. “What’s wrong?”
“You said ‘sham marriage’?”
Ainsley grimaced. “Oh, blast. I didn’t mean . . . Royal, you must know how fond I am of you.”
