Eight
AfterDarius steered Eudora into his office, taking care to leave the door wide open not only so he could monitor the store but to prevent any suggestion of something inappropriate occurring, he released her elbow.
Armsfolded, he rested a hip on the edge of his desk and regarded her.
Andhe didn’t like what he observed.
Furthermore, he couldn’t help but compare Eudora’s artifice to Araminta’s wholesome, unpretentiousness—her kindness and joie de vivre—joy of life.
Thetwo women were opposites in nearly every way, from their coloring to their temperament and lifestyle, and his increasing appreciation of Araminta’s uniqueness seemed to be in direct proportion to his escalating awareness of Eudora’s lack of character.
Thus, a fortnight ago, he’d determined not to pursue Eudora any longer.
Theywould never have suited, and a union between them would have resulted in mutual unhappiness and, perhaps in time, resentment and animosity.
ThankGod he’d discovered that truth before things had gone any further.
SweetAraminta, who hummed to herself, had a goose for a pet, and loved books as much as he did—had given him a glimpse of true happiness and of the kind of relationship his parents and married siblings enjoyed.
Heswept his critical gaze over Eudora.
Theepitome of Society fashion and as lovely as he’d ever seen her, Eudora exuded a sullenness and privileged expectancy he’d never noticed before. More fool him, because as certain as he was that the sun would set tonight, those character flaws had always been present.
Hisinfatuation with her beauty had prevented him from seeing who she truly was.
Ithad taken spending time with Araminta, a woman incapable of artifice, to recognize how shallow and insipid Eudora was.
ThankGod he hadn’t proposed.
Norwould he.
Cassiushad been right—confound his insightful twin.
EudoraClarke was not the woman for him. Something inside him had whispered that from the very beginning. Mayhap, that was why he couldn’t envision her with his family.
“I’m surprised to see you without your mother acting as chaperone, MissClarke.”
Heshifted and crossed his ankles.
Araminta’stinkling laughter carried into his office, followed by Cassius’s familiar tenor.
Astab of jealousy rooted around Darius’s belly.
He’dnever been jealous of his twin before, and he didn’t like the sensation.
Tiltingher head at a coy angle—another practiced pose—Eudora glided toward him. Her perfume, no doubt expensive and custom-made, wafted upward. “Mama is at the milliner’s. She permitted me to stop in the bookshop alone for a few minutes.”
“Indeed?” Darius cocked an eyebrow, his intuition on high alert.
Eudorabatted her eyelashes and produced a siren’s smile. “I’ve convinced her to allow you to court me.”
Thattook Darius aback.
He’dexpected to work much harder to persuade Mrs. Clarke to view him favorably. Moreover, it had been weeks since he’d actively pursued Eudora.
Amonth ago, his primary focus had been winning her hand. Now, the idea held as much appeal as eating cold, congealed eggs cooked in bacon grease.
Whathad changed him so drastically?
Araminta.
She’dliterally knocked him over, and he could think of little else since meeting her, including the woman standing before him. That either made him shallow and fickle, or he’d finally regained his senses.
Hevery much suspected it was the latter.
Eudorasashayed closer and ran a gloved fingertip from his neckcloth to his waistcoat’s first button. A seductress’s practiced move. She obviously believed she had him wrapped around her little finger, that he’d concede to her every wish and whim.
Shehad miscalculated.
Tremendously.
“And, how may I ask, did you manage that?” he asked
Hewas dashed curious to know.
Eudoraglanced upward, clearly confident of her physical charms.
“You are a Westbrook, Darius. Mama realized what a powerful, wealthy, and influential family you have. She doesn’t even mind that you’re so far removed from inheriting the title.” Eudora swept her mouth into another artificial smile. “Mama has decided ours would be an acceptable match. Aren’t you pleased?”
DidEudora have any idea how mercenary and condescending she sounded?
“I’m flattered, I’m sure.” Sarcasm dripped from each word.
Howcould he not have seen she was no better than her mother when it came to coveting station, position, power, wealth, and influence?
Stillcompletely oblivious to his derision, Eudora gave him a brilliant smile. “She has a few provisions, mind you?—”
I’ll just bet she does.
“—but I’m certain the stipulations aren’t anything we cannot compromise on,” she finished confidently.
Dariusscratched an itch at his nape before nodding. “Go on.”
“Well…” For the first time, Eudora seemed hesitant, and uncertainty shadowed her features. A moment later, she’d regained her equanimity. “She says if the Latham duchy were to guarantee you a minimum five-thousand-pound allowance annually and provide an estate with paid staff for us, she would permit me to marry you.”
Five thousand…?
An estate? With staff?
SweetJesus.
Whata money-grasping, conniving bit of muslin.
“Is that all?” Darius replied in a dry voice, barely keeping the contempt thrumming through him from his expression and tone.
“I knew you’d agree, darling,” Eudora purred, still completely ignorant of his pointed and caustic mockery.
She’s dense as a parsnip.
Beaming, she splayed both palms against his chest, giving him the understanding that she wasn’t the innocent miss she’d pretended to be.
“Naturally, Mama would wish to live with us when she isn’t traveling with her companion. I’m positive you wouldn’t begrudge her an allowance and her own personal staff.”
“You two seem to have worked out all the details—addressed every consideration.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers.
“Oh, yes. Yes, we have, indeed.” A sunny smile lit Eudora’s face—a face Darius had once believed the most exquisite he’d ever beheld.
UntilAraminta came into his life, that was.
“Do go on,” he encouraged wryly, rather enjoying this game of cat and mouse.
Eudoragave an eager nod.
“We’ve spent months…” She blushed, appearing stricken and guilty. “Oh, dear. I wasn’t supposed to share that tidbit.”
Whata conniving pair.
Sothe wily Clarkes had spent months baiting him, manipulating him, encouraging him to believe he had to win Eudora’s hand when they had no objection to a union all along.
Aslong as a guaranteed bloody fortune accompanied Darius to the altar.
Itmade him feel cheap and used.
Dida woman pursued for her dowry feel the same way?
Furysimmered in his veins.
Providencehad barely spared him a lifetime of horror with this devious, scheming wench.
“Except for one major problem.” He lifted a finger. Then another. “Well, two, in truth.”