by Tia Siren
She felt a bit angry now. She wasn’t one to be taken advantage of.
When he came back with her drink, she had worked herself into believing he was not genuine with his actions. She looked at him through narrow eyes when he sat opposite her. He looked a little surprised at her odd behavior.
“Here you go. Is everything all right?”
“I’m not sure,” Cynthia said. “I…You…” She made herself angrier by not being able to express herself the way she wanted to. He surprised her by leaning close to her and placing one hand very close to hers on the table. She didn’t pull her hand back. When the tips of their fingers touched, she noticed. It made her heart pound.
“Let me put your fears to rest as best as I can.” Duke Willingham’s voice was low and smooth. “You don’t know if you can trust me because of my reputation. You hope that I’m genuine, but you think I’m probably not because I’m used to charming all the ladies I can. Am I close?”
She sniffed quietly and nodded.
“I do have that reputation, Lady Cynthia. And the rumors that I am going to be disinherited soon are also true. This knowledge makes it even more difficult for women to trust me. But with you…I haven’t seen you before, my lady. I would like to ask you to take a ride with me tomorrow around the park, or go for a walk if the weather is nice. Please give me the opportunity to get to know you more and to show you that my behavior with you is genuine.”
Cynthia lowered her head, thinking hard. It wasn’t just her doubt that Daniel could be trusted. It was also the fact that, deep in her heart, she knew she never wanted to marry another man. She was happy alone and functioned best that way. She had always known it. She would never marry again.
Chapter Three
The sun breaking through her windows and shining its bright rays directly in her eyes was what woke Cynthia up the next morning. She instantly recalled the night before, pulled one of the pillows out from under head and placed it directly over her face.
“Lord, take me now!” she called out, half-jokingly. She smiled into the pillow and squeezed it against her face momentarily before throwing it off. She looked up at the wispy dark red drapes that hung over her canopy bed. “I don’t want to get married again,” She said out loud. “I don’t want to be dependent on a man or be responsible for a man. I don’t. But I don’t want to hurt the Duke’s feelings. He seems somewhat genuine. What do I do? Oh, what do I do?”
Was she now trying to convince even herself of these facts? She thought of when she and the Duke had parted ways the night before. They had spoken briefly once more when she had told him that she would agree to go on a ride with him the next day. He said he would pick her up at noon or half after. She did her grooming and got dressed on her own. She had let most of the servants go years before, choosing to save the money to live off of while she paid off her late husband’s debt.
As she went downstairs for some tea and biscuits, she thought about the Duke. He needed to marry within three months, or he would be disinherited. She needed to have the debts paid off so that she could keep her home and the money she had to live on. Perhaps they could come to some kind of arrangement.
The thought made her feel a little nauseous. She was taking something as sacred as marriage and making it into a business proposition. What did that say about her character?
She would find out more about him on the ride today. She would have to broach the subject at some point in time, but she wanted to make sure that his behavior the night before didn’t stem from having too much wine, brandy, scotch or whatever it was he had chosen to drink. Alcohol did seem to have an effect on how people behaved. She knew that with first-hand knowledge.
She ate a nice breakfast of eggs and biscuits and delighted that the tea was brewing just right. It was a nice way to start her day. She decided to eat on the veranda to watch as the sun finished rising up behind the mountain in the distance. She had kept a hand maiden, Jenny and the cook, Betty, so Jenny doubled as a kitchen maid, too, cleaning and serving Cynthia her meals. She’d known both ladies for years, and they had no problem juggling their work around so that everything was done and no one was overworked. Alice was the only other servant, and she typically cleaned the parts of the house that were rarely used, answered the door and ran errands.
There was no need for anyone else in the big mansion because now it was just her. Just the way she liked it. She had accepted her unique desire to be alone long ago and had gotten quite used to it. Loneliness only rarely came up in her mind and typically, she could ring Alexander, and he would be right there to keep her company.
Sooner or later, that’s going to end, she thought. In fact, probably sooner. He’s got to be getting married soon; I’m sure of it.
A trace of fear and hurt slid through her heart. She didn’t want to lose her friend though she knew that’s what happened in life. Changes were made whether they were wanted or not.
She watched the sun rising in the distance, casting different colors across the early clouds. She breathed in the crisp air and thought how beautiful it was.
It would be nice; I guess, she thought, to share this with someone.
That afternoon she was ready to go, standing at the end of her circular driveway near the gate. The long garden in between the front of the drive and the back near the house held two benches, but she didn’t feel like sitting down. One of the things she never mentioned when invited on a carriage ride was that her legs sometimes went numb from sitting for so long. If the Duke wanted to get out and walk through the park, she would much prefer that and planned to bring it up.
She saw the dust rising in the distance and knew he was on his way up the road to her house. She stepped through the door in the stone pillar next to the gate and stood on the other side, waiting for him to arrive.
She was a little nervous about her proposal and wondered quietly if she would even be able to broach the subject with him. Surely he wouldn’t want to marry someone he didn’t know just to pay her debts off for her. Then again, he didn’t want to be disinherited either. He probably wouldn’t know what to do with himself if they stripped him of his title, took away his duties and removed the money from his accounts.
He pulled up in front of her and stopped, smiling out at her. “Good afternoon, Lady Cynthia. How are you feeling today?”
“I feel fine, my lord. How are you?”
She stepped up into the carriage, taking his outstretched hand for assistance and settled into the seat next to him.
“I’m doing well. It is a beautiful day for a ride.”
“Yes, I agree.” She looked up at the clear blue sky, enjoying the breeze that moved past her face gracefully.
“I was thinking on the way here that we can go to Wasena Park and take a walk, if you prefer.”
She couldn’t help looking up at him in amusement. “I would like that. I sometimes get uncomfortable from taking carriage rides that last too long.”
He chuckled. “I do, too. I prefer shorter rides and walking. I like to stretch my legs so if I have the time, I walk.”
“It’s all a matter of leaving with enough time to get where you’re going. I know carriages and horses are so much faster, but I do prefer being out in the sun. Walking makes me feel good.”
He smiled. He was beginning to think this might be an opportunity he wouldn’t be able to resist. He wondered if she would consider marrying him, even if only on paper, to help him keep his fortune and his title. He wouldn’t hold her back, she could do anything she wanted to, and he wouldn’t say a thing. But would a woman consider marriage for nothing? Perhaps she was in need of something, and they could strike a deal.
“I suppose since you have been attending the Season dances, you are considering marrying again?”
Her heart thumped hard. It seemed his mind was on the same track as hers. “In reality, I decided last Season before it was over that I did not want to marry again. I usually attend the dances with my young friend, Lord Alexander, as he attempts
to find a bride. I sometimes like the action of a ball because I spend a lot of my time alone in my house.”
“So…you aren’t looking to get married?”
“I had thought not before. I am reconsidering. I must say, if the right man were to propose, I suppose I would. But I have not…”
“No one good coming around?” He supplied.
She didn’t want to answer. “There wasn’t, no. I…came to a point where I wasn’t interested in trying anymore. I don’t think I ever really wanted to in the first place.”
“Are you still opposed to marriage?”
She looked up at him without answering.
“I informed you of my predicament. That’s why I ask.”
“I am not as opposed as I was,” She responded.
“That’s good to hear.” He looked out over the road and fell quiet.
“To be honest with you, my lord, I have been thinking about your situation. I was thinking about it last evening and this morning.”
“Were you?” He asked curiously.
“Yes. I am also in somewhat of a predicament myself.”
“Please inform me.”
Cynthia took in a quiet breath in an attempt to calm her pounding heart. “I…When my late husband died, he left me a fortune. It is enough to live on for many more years, and the house, and lands belong to me. However, he was in debt to several businesses to an amount that would reduce my accounts to nothing and leave me with nothing to live on.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How long ago did your husband die?”
“It was over four years ago.”
“The debt has continued to accumulate, or the collectors are waiting?”
“They have been very kind.”
“To say the least.” He sounded surprised.
“You sound surprised,” She remarked.
“I don’t know many businessmen who will put off the repayment of a large debt for so many years.”
“You have no family to fall back on?”
“No, unfortunately not.”
“That is a bad situation.” Daniel admitted, nodding. “What will you do?”
“I was wondering if…we might be able to…have an agreement between us? One that might be profitable for us both?”
Daniel looked down at her with his eyebrows raised. He was stunned that they had been thinking the same thing. “We might,” He responded. “I must inform you that it is not just the marriage that I must produce for my parents. They will also expect an heir. Are you…” he didn’t know how to finish the question, but she caught on to the implication. She and her husband had never conceived, but it had not been because she was incapable.
“I can still have children, my lord. I just didn’t have any with my late husband. He was gone quite a lot. He was in the military.”
“I understand. You are in need of the money to pay off the debts, and I am in need of a wife. Is this what you propose?”
She pulled in another deep breath, nervous with a thumping heart. When he put it that way, it certainly sounded like an affront to the sanctity of marriage. Marriage was supposed to be about love and unity and togetherness. Not signing on the dotted line so that debts would be paid and inheritances wouldn’t be lost.
“Yes, my lord.” She squeaked out.
He was quiet. She wondered what he was thinking, daring to take a quick glance at his profile. His face did not look unpleasant. He didn’t look angry or judgmental. He looked handsome and thoughtful.
“Here’s what I propose,” he said, and she steeled herself in case he came down on her for her apparent greed. “We will court for two months and a week. We must have time to get to know each other better and decide if this is truly something we want to do. At the end of that time, we will make a final decision on a marriage.”
“But if it doesn’t work out, will you not be out of time? You will not be able to find someone in that amount of time.”
“This is true,” He admitted. “But I believe that my parents will think differently if I have spent these last few months taking things seriously and truly courting a woman to marry.”
“Will they approve of me as your prospective wife?”
He grinned, giving her an amused look. “Lady Cynthia, you are a beautiful, intelligent woman. I don’t see why they would not approve. They don’t need to know about my dealings. They only need to know what they see, which is me with a woman on my arm, attending the balls and dances and social gatherings.”
“Then I suppose we have a deal? When will you be able to pay the collectors?”
“I will pay them right away.”
“Are you sure? That would not give you much of an advantage over me.”
“I don’t need an advantage over you, my lady. I don’t want you to go through the next nine weeks thinking that you have to spend time with me because I won’t follow through otherwise. I would like for us both to enjoy our time together without pressures of repercussions.”
“That is very noble, my lord.”
He just smiled.
Chapter Four
The first month of courting went by quickly. They attended two balls a week. Daniel visited her home, and she visited his. They went on numerous walks and short carriage rides together. They became the talk of the town almost immediately, as no one had expected the playboy to pluck the widow out of the shadows and start parading around town with her.
“A mismatched couple, that’s what they’re saying.” Alexander settled himself into the chair he always occupied when Cynthia was sitting outside enjoying the sun. It was getting hotter as the summer moved in. She was dressed in a full body bathing suit with a robe and had shed the robe in the heat. There was little more she enjoyed than the feel of the sun on her bare skin. Daniel had assured her that he would not prevent her from laying out in the sun, going out to swim or doing any of the things she always enjoyed doing. He promised her that she would not be obligated to do anything that made her uncomfortable.
“I know what they’re saying, Alex.” She murmured, not opening her eyes. She could hear so much more around her when she kept her eyes closed and concentrated on the sounds. The birds and frogs, even the trees with their leaves blowing softly in the breeze made unique and wonderful sounds.
“He’s a rake, Cynthia. What do you see in him to love when you know what he is, what he’s done to so many other women in town? Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
She opened one eye and looked at him. His face showed genuine concern. The frown lines were deep in his young features.
She pushed herself up into a sitting position and tilted her head when she spoke. “Alex, do you want to know why I’m going to marry Sir Daniel? The real reason?”
Alexander frowned. “What do you mean ‘the real reason.’ Don’t you love the man?”
Cynthia thought about the question for a moment. She was beginning to think that Daniel was indeed a man she could love. He was the charmer the women always thought he was. He didn’t have a brutal temper and did not drink heavily. She hadn’t even seen him lose his temper, as a matter of fact. He was always polite and kind to her and never made her feel less than her value.
Still she had trouble separating the fact that he was doing a business deal with her, had never mentioned love and at times, she felt like he was just going through the motions so that his outward appearance would be validated and people would talk about him in a way that he wanted them to. He didn’t want to leave them guessing and making up stories, so he set the tone of any stories they told.
“I may love him in time.” She finally replied. “But there is another reason, Alex. Daniel has a great deal of money. He is set to be disinherited on his 30th birthday if he is not wed and in a position to supply an heir.”
“Yes, I heard about that.” Alexander nodded, a look of disapproval on his face. She didn’t know whether that frown was caused by the disinheritance or the fact that Daniel had not already taken care of the situation long ago.
“I admit I wondered if he approached you because he’s…”
He stopped abruptly before saying the word “desperate.” It was terribly impolite to put Cynthia in the category that a desperate man would choose from.
Cynthia grinned. “You were wise to stop before saying that, my friend.”
They both laughed.
“He is in a desperate situation, but he and I came to an agreement at the outset of our courtship. As you know, John’s death left me with enormous debts to the creditors, and I would surely lose everything if I tried to pay them back what John owed them. I would be left destitute. They have been waiting these long years for their money. Now, they are no longer waiting for their money.”
“The Duke paid the collectors for you?”
“He did.”
Alexander blinked in surprised silence. He felt at a loss for words. He knew the Duke had much more money than Cynthia but could not fathom the man handing out so much money just to win the hand of a woman…even his good friend.
“I…I am surprised by this information.” Alexander scratched his head. “I have heard many negative things about the Duke. This does not seem in character for him.”
“I have heard the stories. They all came from ladies he had rejected, though, have you ever noticed that?”
“Have there been any ladies pursuing him?” Alexander asked and then went on without waiting for an answer. “No, there haven’t been, and that’s because he garnered such a bad reputation with them. Were you ever warned off?”
Cynthia shook her head. “No. I have not participated very much in the social scene, even when I did attend the balls with you.”
“So what do you think of him now that you’ve spent time with him? Should I be worried about you, my dear?”
Cynthia turned her head to look out over the long green lawn, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. “You’ve no need to be worried about me, Alex. Daniel has been only a gentleman since we made our deal.”
“But do you want to live in a business deal? Is that really what will make you happy, being married to someone you don’t truly care for? I suppose you could stay on here if he would allow it. Then you wouldn’t have to leave the familiar, and you will still be yourself.”