Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Alice’s words sent Marco into quiet contemplation as he tried to understand what she could mean. Unable to comprehend, he forced himself to ask, "Will you give me leave to speak plainly?"
“Of course, I firmly believe that plain speaking is always the best approach to anything,” Alice said with a small smile.
She still looked utterly ravishing with her damp dress and disheveled hair. But his heavy coat across her shoulders made her look vulnerable, which didn't mesh with how she was acting or what she was saying.
"Are you saying that you wish to remain childless forever?” Marco inquired quietly.
“Let us first focus on what we could both gain from such a union,” Alice said, her burnished gold eyes fixed on him.
“You would gain access to my substantial dowry, which you could use to strengthen your business and help the working man.
I would have a situation that suits me better than any other offers I have had to entertain. "
“I see,” Marco said. He thought of what he would also gain that Alice knew nothing of.
He would have the money of the man who had wronged him so badly and caused his friend's death.
What better revenge could there be upon the Duke of Fitzroy than to use his legacy to rebuild that which he tried to destroy?
“Do you hesitate because you wish to have children, Marco?” Alice asked, her thumb absently rubbing over the back of his hand, belying the seriousness of her question.
“I have never given it much thought,” Marco said, and it was the truth.
He came from a large Italian family. He had brothers and sisters who were happily raising families in his homeland.
He was the third son, free of pressure to carry on the family line.
He was the only one who had struck out on his own in a new country, and he knew his parents expected him to prioritize money and business over family.
After all, they didn't need any more grandchildren when they already had so many.
Marco had never given much thought to having children since he was no longer expected to carry on the family name.
When he thought about it, he only thought that if he had children, they would have to be with someone he loved.
His parents were blissfully devoted to one another.
He could not fathom raising children in a household without that kind of love.
However, he had never even come close to falling in love, so it never mattered.
Until he met Alice, that is. He put that disquieting thought right out of his head.
He was absolutely not falling in love with this woman. He barely knew her.
“Well, perhaps you should give it some thought now,” Alice said with formal politeness.
“You should also consider if you might be able to bear a life lived in my company.
I hear married people tend to spend a lot of time together.
" She was attempting to make light of the situation, but it seemed like her efforts fell flat as Marco only frowned.
“I suppose that is sometimes true, though not always. Many married couples quite happily live separate lives,” Marco said, mostly because he knew that was often the way of the ton.
It wasn't something he could see himself doing, but perhaps she would prefer that.
He enjoyed Alice's company. He couldn't imagine being married to her and living apart.
What she offered was tempting in more ways than one.
She was vivacious, beautiful, and engaging, and marrying her would undoubtedly be a pleasure.
He had never felt so drawn to another woman before and would relish the opportunity to explore her body in depth, which he would be permitted to do as her husband.
Marrying her would also be a clever way for him to exact his vengeance without causing her as much pain as his original plan would have.
“We have arrived,” Alice said quietly, removing her hands from his own. He had barely been aware of the time passing, but they were indeed in front of his house. Alice's carriage with the hated Fitzroy crest displayed prominently on its side waited to take her back to her home.
Marco suddenly wished he could find a way to keep her with him for a little longer, but he knew he must allow her to depart. She was soaked through and while she had stopped shivering, he could see the blue tinge to her lips and knew they would be ice cold if he were to touch them.
“Allow me,” Marco said, exiting the carriage first and then offering his hand to help Alice down onto the gravel drive.
“Thank you,” she said, and Marcus swore that he could feel a soft squeeze in her fingers as she let go of his.
“Heavens, my lady!” her maid exclaimed, running forward with a blanket, and beginning to chafe Alice’s arms vigorously after throwing it over her shoulders. “You look practically frozen! We must get you home and into a warm bath.”
“Yes, that would be wonderful,” Alice said quietly, handing the blanket back to Beth so she could remove Marco's jacket.
She allowed the maid to settle a blanket over her shoulders again when that was done.
Marco saw a flash of Alice's cleavage and tried not to crane his neck to get a better look.
She handed his jacket to him. "Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Mr. Alegria. "
“It was my pleasure, Miss Fitzroy,” Marco said, stepping closer and lowering his voice so the servants would not hear. “We have yet to finish our conversation.”
“Have we not?” Alice asked, and she raised her eyebrows. “You have my terms. I do not see what else there is to discuss."
“Those are your only terms?” Marco pressed, making sure he had not missed something, for it seemed like there should be some kind of catch.
It could surely not be so easy as this. Getting revenge upon a man he loathed by marrying a woman to whom he was violently attracted.
“Your only stipulation is that there be no children?”
“There is nothing else,” Alice said. Her voice was clear and slightly detached, and Marco wondered, for a horrible moment, if she thought this was all a ploy to get his hands upon the title her child would be endowed with.
He could see how it would weed out untrustworthy suitors, for who would take Alice at her word?
If a gentleman was only interested in her for her dowry and for the dukedom bestowed upon a son, then putting into place a condition of her marriage that denied children would turn those suitors away.
Perhaps she was only looking for reassurance that someone could love her.
“Alice...” he began, but she was already withdrawing, stepping toward her carriage.
“I really must go now,” she said. Marco reached forward and took hold of her hand before she could enter her carriage. He could not stop himself from squeezing it gently despite the slightly scandalized look her maid gave him.
“Please wait,” Marco said, swallowing hard and unconsciously rubbing a thumb across her wrist. “What if the terms do suit me?”
Alice looked down at their joined hand but then up at him, her face inscrutable, but she did not pull away. Marco only hoped that was a good sign.
“Well then,” she said slowly, still not withdrawing her hand. “I suppose I would have to seriously consider your proposal, Mr. Alegria.”
Marco felt his stomach flip. He had not realized how excited he was about the possibility of this truly happening. He felt a fierce rush of desire when he thought that she might become his. It was a challenge to withdraw his hand and let her go.
“I hope you do consider it,” he said, bowing his head formally.
“I shall,” Alice said, turning to step into the carriage.
Again Marco felt the sudden need to have her attention and get her alone, if only for a moment.
He felt the need to talk to her, understand more of what she wanted, and give her a chance to explain why she had suddenly seemed so open to the idea of marrying him.
“Alice,” he said, and she turned back to look at him with a questioning look. “Will you come to the opera with me?”
“Such a tedious request,” Alice said, rolling her eyes in a droll way that made Marco grin. She was so amusing in her irreverence, and he found it endlessly charming. “Can you think of nothing more original?”
“Indulge me,” Marco smiled, stepping closer again and tucking a piece of her damp hair behind her ear. “Come to the opera with me three days from now. You can give me your answer then.”
“In three days,” Alice mused. “Well, I suppose if it was long enough for the Lord to rise…”
Marco threw his head back and laughed uproariously. He had never known a woman to make him laugh like Alice did. It lightened his soul in a way that he couldn’t deny, which was miraculous. She was indeed miraculous. “So you agree?”
“As long as you promise to think over my terms,” Alice said, lowering her voice to a whisper. Marco couldn’t stop imagining that voice whispering his name while they made love. It sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine. “Think them over well, Mr. Alegria.”
“I promise I shall, Miss Fitzroy,” he said, kissing her hand. Just that slight brush of his lips against her skin was enough to set his mind racing in a way that would cause her to blush.
She smiled as she stepped into the carriage with her maid, and Marco waved as they passed.
Then a thought flashed through his mind, sending ice through his veins.
What if Alice decided not to have children because she was afraid of being touched?
Perhaps she intended to stay a virgin. Marco's stomach lurched in disappointment at the thought.
He would have to think long and hard about this proposal.
He didn't think he could be married to Alice and not take her to his bed.
Being so close to her and not being able to touch her would be a torture he didn't think he could bear.
“You look beautiful, my lady,” Beth said as she pinned one of Alice’s curls behind her ear.