Chapter 4
Chapter four
Edward
Were I not alone with Lord Paxton, I might have been embarrassed by the way my mouth hung open. As it stood, my shock prevented me from feeling much of anything else. Surely, I had not heard him properly.
“F-forgive me, Lord Paxton—”
“Theo.”
I cleared my throat. “Forgive me…Theo, but I cannot have heard you correctly. You wish for me to marry your daughter? She is far above my station.”
The viscount laughed heartily. “Why not? You are a man of means from decent stock. Your father is like a brother to me. I like you considerably, and we share the same political views.”
As if those were the only things important for a suitable marriage. Although, I supposed, many had married with far less.
“I am flattered you find me worthy, but I’m not certain Miss Apsley shares your opinion.”
Lord Paxton swatted the concern away. “Annette is a stubborn one. She is blinded by that stubbornness. You forget, I watched the two of you interact, and when I couldn’t, my wife provided the details of your courtship.
You are just the sort of man who can handle a woman like my Annette, and there’s clearly a spark between the two of you. ”
A spark? Yes, there was certainly that. One that might burn the entire country down if left unattended. Hatred had that kind of power.
Not that I hated Miss Apsley. In truth, I found her spirit wildly attractive.
I enjoyed time in her company and the battle of wits that inevitably ensued.
And then there was the woman beneath the surface.
She had made only one full appearance in London, the setting a dark alley during a heated argument.
An argument that led to more. The passion infused in that kiss haunted me, and I could no sooner forget the exchange than I could give up my pursuit of abolition.
Did Lord Paxton know of our shared time together?
Of our kiss? I imagined not. Annette had likely kept that information to herself.
After all, revealing it would risk her father demanding we wed, and there were two things of which I was now quite sure: Annette Apsley had no desire for marriage, and her father very much wanted it.
Enough so that he would bribe me to marry her.
I released a slow breath and leaned forward to rest my arms on my knees. “You will forgive me, my lord, for I fear my head is reeling too much to respond.”
Lord Paxton chuckled. “I assumed my offer might have that effect. While your mind settles, allow me to lay out my stipulations in full. You will spend time with my Annette. Woo her. Fall dramatically in love. And wed. In exchange, I will double the value of her dowry, and that sum will be paid to you following the marriage. You may use the extra portion of the funds for whatever purpose you find deserving. A dip into politics, perhaps?”
One of his red brows rose, an expectant gleam in his eyes.
The viscount knew precisely what I would use the funds for.
Our political ambitions aligned, nearly point for point.
I had believed that having his support of my endeavors was a good place to start on this journey for change, but to have it funded as well? I could not fathom a better deal.
Or, at least, I assumed I could not. I did not know the precise value of Annette’s dowry. Given how wealthy her father was, I had reason to believe it well-padded.
Lord Paxton grinned as if reading my thoughts. “You’re wondering how much of a dowry Annette has, no? Well—and I tell you this in confidence, you understand. We have kept that information secret for good reason—Annette’s dowry is twenty thousand pounds.”
My eyes threatened to bulge out of my skull. Twenty thousand pounds. The work I could do with such a sum, the good I could do, was beyond anything my imagination could presently concoct. That money would change the lives of many.
It would save the lives of many.
Only a fool would turn away from such an offer, and yet…
“This plan of yours hinges on one very important aspect that cannot be ignored," I said. “That your daughter would accept my suit and subsequently agree to the marriage. I cannot believe she would do either of those things in such circumstances as her suitor being paid off.”
Nor could I imagine her taking well to either without it. Annette Apsley wanted nothing to do with me. Our exchange downstairs proved that.
“Codswallop.” Lord Paxton massaged his forehead. “Did I not tell you only moments ago that there is a spark between the two of you? A grand match if there ever was one. You are both passionate people, and I can think of no one more perfect for my Annette.”
Perfect? Laughable. “She will not appreciate being wooed by someone who has agreed to the pursuit for the sake of money. I don’t know her well, but that much I can have little doubt over.”
Lord Paxton waved away my concerns. “Of course, she wouldn’t appreciate it. What woman would? That is why she needn’t be apprised of the money.”
“Lie to her?”
“If you choose to see it that way. I have every faith that the two of you would be quite happy together. Think of this as extra motivation, not motivation itself. You’ve spent enough time together to feel comfortable in one another’s presence, and as I mentioned, you are much alike in your determination.
” He paused. “And stubbornness. No, Annette need not know of the supplemental funds. The lack of information will do her no harm, and should you wish to reveal the information later, she will see that it was all done for a just cause. By then, you shall be too madly in love to care about the circumstances which propelled your relationship.”
I disagreed with him on a number of things.
A great number of things, in fact. Annette and I had very little in common.
We bickered and fought constantly. We disagreed on nearly everything.
We loathed one another. Well, she loathed me, anyway.
Despite what I had said in that alley, I did not mean the sentiment.
Regardless, how had the man come to the conclusion that I was best suited to marry his daughter?
And love? The very idea nearly unleashed my laughter. Annette could never love me, nor I her. The idea was preposterous. I did not think Lord Paxton was a man who would arrange his daughter’s marriage simply to further his political interests, but perhaps I had been wrong. Nothing else made sense.
Besides, no matter what the viscount claimed, Annette would be hurt to learn of her father’s attempts to marry her off by bribing her suitors.
While I strove to get under her skin with my taunts and teasing, hurting her was another matter entirely.
It was not my intention to cause that sort of distress to anyone, not even Annette Apsley.
I shook my head. “I cannot think this a good idea, my lord.”
“If you my lord me again, I shall have you thrown out on your rear.” Lord Paxton clasped his hands together and rested them on his stomach.
Whatever amusement remained in his expression vanished.
“I understand your reluctance, Edward. Truly, I do. But I assure you, my stubbornness far exceeds either yours or Annette’s.
I wish to see my daughter wed, and if you refuse me, I will find another who is willing.
It pains me to even consider it. As I said, a more perfect match, I cannot imagine. ”
Annette marry another? Something wriggled in my stomach. Why did that thought sit unwell with me? Likely because I knew it went against her every desire. Whether she called me a friend or not, I thought of her as one.
I ran a hand through my hair. “Your daughter is not interested in marriage. She has told me so herself a number of times.”
“I’m aware of Annette’s aversion to the institution, but for the right man, she will set aside her foolish ideas.”
“Would it be imprudent for me to voice my disagreement? Once Annette’s mind is made up, it is nearly impossible to change. I have experienced as much for myself while in Town.”
A wide grin pulled at Lord Paxton’s lips. “Has she given you leave to use her name?”
My stomach coiled. “No, she has not.”
“But you do so anyway?”
“I…I have on occasion in private, but only because it vexes her.”
The man chuckled. Why could he not be angry with me like most fathers would have for taking such liberties with their daughter? And for fun at her expense, no less. If anything, my confession seemed to fuel the viscount’s insistence that this scheme could work.
“I stand by all I have said. A fine match aside, I believe putting that money in your hands would do the world much good. Think of all that could be accomplished. Is that not reason enough to consider my offer?”
It was, and I was having a difficult time not allowing my mind to wander through the opportunities such a fortune would unlock for me. Not just for me, but for all the people who would be affected by change, both now and in the future.
“If the money can do so much, why not put it to use yourself? You have connections and wealth already. Would it not be more logical for you to pursue the things we have discussed—to fight for abolition?”
Lord Paxton’s lips pulled into a taut frown.
“My time for propagating change is in the past. I wish to pass on my legacy, and as none of my sons has an interest in politics at present, I hoped you would take up my mantle on that front. I am not a young man any longer. There is only so much I can do from a sickbed. I need someone spry and passionate to speak for me. To act. The sort of change we wish to direct cannot be done by simply throwing money about. It will require physical, social, and mental work. I’m not up to the task as I once was, but you? You are more than ready and able.”