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Yes, he had decided to keep her. And yes, he was going to leave her no choice when it came to going through with his plan.
But she would be less a prisoner, and more an employee. For he would offer payment.
“What if I told you I could give you that life?”
“I would be very skeptical of that. For I have never seen charity on that scale being handed out freely.”
“And I already told you I didn’t engage in charity.”
“Yes. You did. And here I am, having eaten a lovely meal, eating a glorious dessert, and all I have done in exchange for it is remain trapped in a bedroom. And so I do deeply question what the cost of this offer will be. I had a very expensive cup of tea earlier, surely this has cost much more.”
“Yes. Because, Athena, I need you to marry me.”
CHAPTER FOUR
ATHENAWASSTUNNED. She dropped her fork down onto the counter. It clattered loudly. “What?”
“I need you to become my wife. And when our marriage is over, I will set you up with enough money to live whatever life you choose.”
“But...”
“Freedom, Athena. I offer you freedom after a time. Real freedom. The kind that comes with having the financial assets that you require.”
“Marriage...”
“Is likely the only thing that will keep you safe from Hamilton. If you are married to another man, particularly one of my status, then you will exist. And you will exist out of his reach.”
“Are you a man of status?”
“Yes. Or at least I was, once upon a time, and with you on my arm, I will return to that place.”
“You need my help,” she said, because she knew he was not asking out of a sense of altruism, this man who had called her part of his collection.
“Less than you need mine. But yes. But as my wife, you will see the world. You will choose your own clothes. You may eat whatever you like. You may watch whatever you want. You can read whatever you want. I will not give you romance, lass, but I can give you many of the other things on your list. And when I am done with you, you will be free to go out and seek whatever you wish.”
“That sounds...” She stopped. She had never even seen this man. “I need to see you.”
“You will. In good time.”
There was a reason he would not let her, and it...it was disquieting to say the least.
“But before I agree...”
“There is no agreement or disagreement, Athena. The question, my goddess, is whether you agree happily, or angrily.”
“I could cause a scene, and let everybody know that you’ve forced me into marriage.”
“You could. And give your current fiancé opportunity to play the part of rescuer. It would end up being the perfect sort of void for him to step in. However, if you step out with me for all the world to see as though you are dazzlingly in love with me, we will both benefit. It will be a story that the media will adore, and it will leave no space for Hamilton to step back in to claim you for his own.”
“You make it sound as if it’s so easy.”
“I know how the media works. I know how public opinion works. There was a time when I knew how to spin these things better than you can possibly imagine. I may not have been outside these castle walls in ten years, but I still understand the way of the world. I have been watching. Believe me when I tell you, this is the best way to ensure your safety. Your freedom.”
“And what do you get from it? Because there must be something. More than something.”
“I need this for my reentry into the world. This is for the launch of the very system I use here in the castle. It will be available to the whole world soon. But my business partner has decided to make a whole spectacle of it. A gala, dinner, dancing, speeches. As I said, I know how public opinion works. Better for me to come back into this world with someone on my arm.”
“Because you have been here. Not out in the world?”
