Harry choked while Madeline covered her mouth with her hands. “I beg your pardon,” Harry whispered.
“You heard me.” He straightened. Harry looked as though a monster were about to eat his sister. Bloody hell, he was trying to help her.
Harry glanced back at Maddie and then to Adam. “I’ll present your offer to my brother. I’m sure you will hear from him shortly.” Then Harry turned and all but hauled Maddie out of her seat and began dragging her across Almack’s.
He watched them go, having the ridiculous urge to stop them. He wanted to grab Maddie and toss her into his own carriage. Kiss her senseless and then bring her to his bed.
A tap on his shoulder finally drew him from his debauched reverie. “What?” he snapped, turning.
Fletcher grinned at him like an idiot. “Thanks, old chap.”
“Thanks for what?” His mood had gotten worse than when Fletcher had found him earlier this evening.
“I’d placed a bet that the Siren of London would have an offer of marriage by tomorrow. You’ve just made me a tidy sum.” And he slapped Adam on the back. “Never would have thought it’d be you, but then again that woman is tempting beyond reason.”
“I doubt her family will accept. Did you see the way Lord Maddox looked at me?” Adam crossed his arms.
Fletcher snorted. “You never know. After the scene with Abernathy, they might be willing to make a deal with the devil. You’re as close to the devil as I know.”
“You saw all of that, did you?”
“Who didn’t? I can see why you’re smitten with the girl. She’s as tasty as they say.”
He resisted the urge to punch Fletcher directly in the mouth just to ensure there would be no tasting.
* * *
The next morning, Maddie sat across from Bar, twisting her hands in her lap. He’d grown more like father as he’d taken over the dukedom. His low menacing brow filled her stomach with nervous butterflies. “Why would a man who has not shown interest in a respectable woman for a decade suddenly want to marry?”
Maddie swallowed down her fear and forced herself to give a casual shrug. “I’m no longer respectable, am I?”
Bar narrowed his gaze. “That’s not an answer.” He leaned forward, his chair squeaking as his elbows came to the surface of the desk. “Curious that the two of you met minutes before the kiss in the garden.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. “I would never purposefully kiss a known rake.”
Bar fell back in his chair and scrubbed his scalp. “You’re right, of course. I know that.” He let out a long breath. “Do you think he’s short on funds?”
She’d heard nothing about it if he was. “I don’t know.”
“I need to discern why he’s proposed a match before he arrives. It will aid me in the negotiations.”
That made the butterflies start beating again. “You’re not considering accepting, are you?” She pressed her hands to her stomach. Of all the choices she’d had over the years, all the men she’d rejected in the name of finding a true partner, Kingsley might be the worst choice of them all. How could a known rake be the honorable and forward-thinking man she craved?
“The alternative is ruin.” Bar gripped the arm of his chair.
Maddie pushed out of hers. “Fine. I’ll take ruin. Besides, a man might come along who is still willing to…” Her words tapered off as a knock sounded at the door. “He’s here.”
Bar let out a gurgle of frustration. “Don’t make the decision in haste. Think on it.” Then he called, “Yes?”
The door swung open and the butler stepped inside with a bow. “Lord Kingsley is here to see you, my lord.”
“Send him in.” Bar slashed his hand through the air. “Let’s get this done with.”
“Get what done with?” She turned to her brother, her breath trapped in her chest.
“I want to know what he’s about and what he’s offering.” Bar stood, then moved around the desk. “And I want you to think long and hard about accepting. I know it’s not the match you wanted but think what you’ll gain.”
“What will I gain?” she asked, bile oozing into her words.
“Children, for starters.” Bar stepped closer and he reached for her arm, his touch gentle. “I see the way you look at my son. Putting yourself on the shelf means you’ll never have your own children.”
Regret stabbed in her stomach. Bar had a point.
“You’ll be accepted into society again as a countess.” He gave her arm a pat. “I know you wanted love, but you may find that Kingsley gives you a measure of independence simply by being absent. He’s very rarely in London. Just set your terms from the first. You’re good at that.”
Maddie looked up into her brother’s face. She hated to admit that he’d made several solid points. While a rake was an awful husband, he’d likely be gone a great deal of the time. She didn’t want to think about what he’d be doing but it did give her time to focus on her campaign for social justice.
“It won’t be like what you have with Emily. She helps you with the dukedom. You value her opinion and she yours.”
Bar grimaced. “Maddie,” he started. “You’re right, of course. It takes a certain type of man to treat a woman as an equal without being intimidated, but it also takes a certain type of woman. You have to command that respect.”
She blinked. Had she commanded respect when she’d gone flitting off to meet Charles on his terms? No, quite the opposite really. This whole time had she’d been searching for something that she herself was sabotaging? “I think I might be ill.”
“You have it in you.” Bar’s face scrunched up. “But stop chasing. And at least get to know this man before you reject him. He might be awful but, then again, he might not. He did step in to rescue you when other men cowed. Find out if he’s just hard-headed or if he thinks differently from the rest of society.”
Maddie pressed her hand to her stomach, the truth of those words sinking in. It was worth trying, wasn’t it?
Chapter Seven
Adam sat across from the Marquess as they silently stared at one another. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but he refused to look away to glance at the time. He would not be intimidated.
Bar’s lip twitched. “You want to marry my sister?”
Want? Adam narrowed his eyes. That was a rather strong word. “I have offered, yes.”
“It’s not your first offer of marriage.”
Adam clamped his teeth together. The man was shrewd, he’d give him that. How had he known that was Adam’s weakest spot? “No.”
“Why didn’t you marry the first woman? Lady Caroline Bixby.”
“She’s Lady Stonewall now. She chose another man over me.” After she’d become pregnant with the Marquess Stonewall’s heir. And while Adam had been courting her. He’d been negotiating the match with her father. Playing by all the rules while she snuck away to tup his best friend. His hand clenched in his lap.
“Is that why you only dally with widows?”
“Lately, that has been bandied about as though I’ve done something wrong. I chose to keep my attention on women who don’t need to be as strict in their behavior, who also want little commitment. We strike a mutually beneficial arrangement that both parties are in full agreement.”
Bar leaned forward then, his eyes becoming more intense. “I myself didn’t dally at all. Tawdry.”
Adam inwardly winced. The man had a point. Still, there were far worse men in society than himself. “How noble of you.”
Bar quirked the smallest smile. “But I appreciate your point. From what I can discern from your choice of ladies, you pick smart women who make educated decisions. And your relations have ended on an amicable note, which says you’re honest about the terms agreed upon.” The smile disappeared. “Will those liaisons continue after you are married to my sister?”
Surprise made his eyes widen a fraction before he schooled his features again. Adam had to confess that Bar was a man who did not
bother hinting, rather took the direct approach. “I have dallied, as you called it, with widows to avoid marriage. Once married, there is little point to the endeavor.”
Bar’s eyebrows drew together. “And what has changed your mind on the subject of marriage that you have offered?”
Lord Devon didn’t know about the kiss. Adam paused. Did he tell the truth? “I find your sister irresistible.” Mostly this was true. If he’d kept his fool lips to himself, he wouldn’t be in this debacle.
Bar relaxed, his back sinking into his chair as he thrummed his fingers on his desk. “Why not court her sooner?”
A muscle in Adam’s cheek twitched. “She wouldn’t have had me.” Also true.
Bar leaned forward once again but his stance was more conspiratorial than intimidating. “Never call her the Siren of London, she hates it.”
“Good to know,” Adam said. “Though I am curious. Why is that?”
Bar shrugged. “She’s always wanted a man who wanted her for more than her dowry or her beauty.”
Interesting. In fact, her wish was almost too good to be true. Because a woman who was interested in his title or money, well there would always be a man with more, better. Caroline had taught him that. He wanted something deeper.
“Ultimately, the match is not my choice, it’s hers. She’s waiting for you in the front parlor, if you’d like to speak with her.”
Bloody hell. His gut clenched. He’d rather face Bar again. “Just so that I understand your last comment, she has yet to decide if she’ll accept my proposal.”
This time Bar’s eyes twinkled. There was no question about it, he found this funny. “She is a woman who is used to having choices.”
Adam sat up straighter. If she said no, then he could walk away guilt free. He’d have done his duty. But some part of him hated that idea and his insides tightened with disappointment.
* * *
Maddie sat in the parlor as the butler showed Lord Kingsley into the room. She stood, dropping into a curtsey, though she picked a point over his shoulder, not wanting to look into his eyes.
He was dangerous.
Her mind knew she should resist him, but her body had other ideas.
A chaperone sat in the corner, Maddie’s lady’s maid, Mary, so at least Maddie couldn’t touch him. The woman dutifully kept her eyes on her embroidery.
He bowed over her hand, his thumb brushing over the skin before he bent and placed a kiss there. Tingles shot up her arm. “Maddie,” he said low and deep, causing her shiver.
“Lord Kingsley,” she replied, pulling her hand away.
He grinned as he straightened. “That’s how it’s going to be?”
“You’ve no leave to use my Christian name.” Her spine straightened.
He gazed up and down her, his lips pressing together. “Every time I see you, I swear you are more beautiful than I remember.”
“How kind,” she replied as both relief and disappointment caused her to pause. If he were like all the others, consumed with her beauty and taken with her dowry, he’d be easy to dismiss.
“But you’ve heard that before.” He took her hand and helped her into her seat. “And we’ve more important items to discuss.”
Her mouth dropped open. For the first time in this meeting, she met his eye. Because the comment caught her off guard, but it was a mistake. His warm brown eyes looked deep into hers and her mind went decidedly blank. All she could think about was the feel of his lips. “Such as?” Why had her voice just cracked?
“I’ve offered for your hand. Do you accept?” He leaned forward as though he anxiously awaited her answer. Was he hoping she’d say yes or no?
What was it Bar said? She needed to start taking charge. How did one take charge of this meeting? Ever so slightly, she leaned away. “I haven’t decided.”
He scooted forward in his seat, his face hardening. “I’m the only offer you have currently. What’s to decide? Unless the Siren of London thinks more offers will come.”
Her lips thinned. “You don’t know me, so I suppose you don’t understand that I dislike that name.”
Triumph flared in his gaze for a moment, before he masked it again. He’d meant to do that. Was he intentionally trying to push her away? He confirmed her suspicion. “I did hear that, what I don’t understand is why.”
How did one take control? One didn’t explain. “The reason doesn’t matter. What does is the terms of our potential arrangement.”
He sat back and frowned. “So you’re considering it?”
“I said I was.” She fisted her hands in her lap. “Are you retracting the offer?”
“No,” he ground out. “I wouldn’t dream of doing something so dastardly.” He arched an eyebrow. “Do you think you’ll refuse?”
He wanted her to turn him down. “I appreciate that you’ve done the honorable deed and asked.” She gave him a bright smile. “I wouldn’t dream of turning down such generosity. I simply wanted to discuss some terms that might make the arrangement more agreeable for both of us.” There. That should put him in his place.
“You little minx,” he said just loud enough that only she could hear. Goosebumps raised on her arm, as a ripple of awareness ran through her.
“Thank you.” Clearing her throat, she sat a little straighter. “Are you ready to begin our discussion?”
“I suppose. Though I am unclear what we are discussing. Usually a man asks a woman and it’s a simple question of yes or no.”
She shrugged. “I’ve never wanted what men and women usually have.”
Chapter Eight
Adam stared at her. Well that was rather intriguing. Deep down, he felt the same as her words ripped through him. What would she say next? Would her words also mirror his feelings? “What do they usually have?”
She took a breath, her gaze straying to the window. “A relationship based upon attraction, finances, or social standing.”
Yes. “And you want?” He leaned forward, tempted to hold her hand. Which was absurd. He was trying to remove himself from this engagement by making sure she refused. But the woman was making it near impossible. She was drawing him in with every quiet word.
“I wanted a partner. Like my brother and his wife. They value each other, help one another.” She shook her head. “But I’ve lost that chance.” She faced him again, a touch of fear darkening her irises. “From you, I would simply like to keep some portion of my dowry in addition to my allowance.”
His eyebrows rose as he stared. “We’re discussing money?”
One of her slender shoulders rose as she twisted her hands together. “I know why you’re offering. You don’t want me, and you certainly don’t want to marry me. I need to make sure I can live my own life comfortably, without—”
He let out an ominous rumble from deep in his throat. “If I marry you, you’ll be my wife in all senses, which includes sharing my bed and providing me with children. I’ll not have you living a separate life from me.”
A gasp came from the corner of the room. Maddie ignored her maid and stood, stepping closer to him. “And what if I want more out of life than just being your breeding cow?”
That made him sit back on his heels. “What exactly do you mean?”
Those big blue eyes met his with an intensity that stopped his heart. “I’ve had plenty of offers to just be a wife.”
Jealousy ripped at his stomach. Damn, he needed to gain some control. The past was going to repeat itself if he didn’t. “Who has offered for you?”
She gave a delicate shrug. “The Earl of Wingate.”
“And why did you decline?” He moved closer. The man was attractive enough, rich and discreet. Unlike himself.
“He yawned every time I spoke.” She stepped away from him and began crossing to the window.
Adam followed. “Who else?”
“The Marquess of Highwater,” she said as she stared down at the street.
He caught a whiff of her scent, subtle and sweet. Without thinking,
he brought hand to her waist. “You turned down the offer to become a Marchioness?”
“Ouch,” Mary yelped out suddenly.
“Are you all right?” Maddie asked.
“Fine, I’ve just poked myself. I’ll be right back. I need a cloth.” Mary stood and hustled for the door, hurrying from the room as she sucked on her finger.
Satisfaction pulled at his insides, causing his muscles to flex. “You were saying, about the marquess?”
She looked back at him then. Those delicate lips parted, and he remembered the way they felt, tasted. “I don’t care about that. I told you.”
“You did.” Subtly, he leaned down and placed a small kiss just behind her ear. He felt her shiver. She’d been so supple in his arms. His heart had been broken years ago and he doubted it would ever fully repair, but for the first time in a long time, he saw the merits of marriage. She was attracted to him. She’d be a willing partner in his bed. She wanted a family. And, both because she was ruined and because she didn’t care, she wouldn’t leave him when a more important man showed her favor. “What is it you want beyond being a breeding cow?”
“Nightly conversation,” she said looking back out the window.
He jerked his chin back “Conversation?”
She gave a definite nod. “I want to discuss things. I’m not just a—” She paused.
But he knew what she would say. “You’re not just a pretty face.” And he understood why she hated being called the Siren of London. “And just so you know, you’re bloody difficult to argue with. Too smart for your own good.” But he found he rather liked her intelligence and he kissed her neck again and Adam felt her smile.
“That might be the nicest thing anyone’s said to me for a long time.”
He gave his head a tiny shake. “And you’re mad. Most women are content to just be beautiful and find the best match they can.”
Taming a Wicked Rake (Taming the Duke's Heart Book 9) Page 4