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“Well, John is dying, for one.” He thinks. “I never knew her, but he was apparently in love with his first wife even though there was quite an age gap between them.”
“He said as much yesterday. I guess what I’m asking is should I be worried? Is he a good man?”
He hesitates for a moment. “He is.”
“But you hesitated.”
“I didn’t.”
“Seb, you did. Please, just tell me or I’ll think the worst.”
He sighs. “Kieran won’t want me scaring you.”
Panic riots within me. “Tell me.”
“John Greystoke is a good man, at least according to the public. Behind closed doors, there have always been… rumors about the Greystoke family.”
“Rumors?”
“That suggests Mrs. Greystoke didn’t pass peacefully in her sleep.”
I feel like I’m going to pass out.
“He killed her?”
“No, not him.”
“His son,” I whisper.
Seb nods.
“He said he wants to marry me after his father dies.” I meet his gaze. “How do I ensure that doesn’t happen?”
“There will be a prenuptial agreement. Kieran will send his attorneys with you when it’s time to sign. He’ll make sure you get the very best outcome.”
“I told Kieran that Clayton said he wanted to marry me. He said I could do worse.”
His eyes bug out of his head. “He said that? Fuck.”
“Seb, I’m scared. I thought Max Erics was the worse that I could do, but now I’m starting to see that isn’t the case.”
“I’ll speak to Kieran, Ari. I promise we won’t let anything bad happen to you.” His phone buzzes and he flinches. “Mr. Greystoke is here.”
“I guess I should dress, then.”
Seb leaves, and I pick slacks, a blouse, and light jacket to wear. I’m probably going to get hot in this outfit, but I’d rather be covered than to leave an inch for Clayton to see if he’s here. I make my way downstairs and find the source of my anxiety smiling as I approach. Thankfully, Seb is standing there, too.
I force myself to smile back. “Hello, Mr. Greystoke. Is your father waiting in the car?”
His gaze narrows at the use of his surname, but he quickly masks the look.
“Alas, Dad isn’t feeling up to shopping today, so he sent me along. I hope that’s quite alright,Ari.”
Before I can answer, Seb says, “Mr. Van der Zee was under the impression that the elder Mr. Greystoke would escort Ms. Triton today.”
Clayton glances at Seb the same way one might look if they’ve just stepped in chewing gum. “Mr. Van der Zee is aware that my father couldn’t make it today.”
“I will need to speak to him before I can allow his ward to leave.”
