Chapter 3 #2
I raised a brow. “One that I won’t be exercising.”
“Of course not,” she said, waving her hand in dismissal. “But no one needs to know that. Once word spreads about what happened, I’ll be ruined.”
I could detect a glint of devilry in her expression, which elicited an odd moment of panic.
A fellow Legend had just fallen in love with—and married—the woman he’d been pretending to ruin.
I forced my thoughts from that ridiculous notion.
I was in no danger of falling in love with this woman in the way Moreland had fallen for his new bride.
I’d need to marry one day, but that was still far in the future.
“What do you have in mind?” I asked. I half expected her to say she wanted to pretend to be my mistress, which I’d never let happen. I’d learned from Moreland’s mistake.
“Nothing bad, of course. My aunt escorts me to all the events around town.” Her head tilted.
“We’re supposed to be attending the Henderson ball tomorrow evening.
” She blew out a breath. “I’m already dreading it.
But once all my suitors learn that Henry has given me over to you…
” She laughed. “Oh, this will be wonderful. Lord Penham will be enraged. I can’t wait to see his expression. ”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that several men already suspected what her brother had done—certainly those who’d witnessed the card game at King’s last night. They’d be watching to see whether their suspicions would be confirmed.
But the mention of Penham had me frowning. To say he was a nuisance would be paying him a compliment. “Has Penham been bothering you?”
She grimaced. “He’s my brother’s closest friend, and I’ve known him for most of my life. Of late, his attentions have been presumptuous, as though it is already decided that I’ll marry him.”
I managed not to swear aloud. “Has he forced his attentions on you?”
She shook her head, and I felt a measure of relief. “No, nothing like that. But between him and Henry, their insistence that I consider marrying Penham is beyond annoying.”
The final piece of the puzzle I’d been trying to decrypt clicked into place. “Penham has wanted you for some time, correct?”
Caroline’s face twisted. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“And has your brother always favored the match?”
She shrugged. “He didn’t care. To be honest, I don’t think he wanted to dwell on the fact that Penham had developed a romantic interest in me. But after our parents died and Henry came into his inheritance…” Her eyes narrowed. “He’s been gambling a great deal lately.”
I could almost see the way her mind was shifting through the recent series of events. She was putting the pieces together.
“Your brother wants the money set aside for your dowry,” I said.
She was shaking her head. “But it would go to Penham if I married him, not to Henry.”
I shrugged. “Given how sought after you are, it isn’t difficult to believe that they’d come to an agreement on the matter. Your brother promotes the match and Penham agrees to give him a portion of your dowry after you’re wed.” I narrowed my eyes on her. “Just how large is your dowry?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, precisely. But I’ve caught Henry grumbling about the fact that he can’t access the funds. Apparently, our father knew better than to trust him with it.”
“Thank heavens for small mercies.”
“Indeed.” Her smile was sad, and I had to fight the urge to comfort her.
She continued, “So, if Henry needs me to marry Penham, why did he offer me as payment for his losses last night?”
I filled in the rest of what I’d deduced. “Because once word spreads that I’ve won you, you’ll be ruined. People will assume that you and I…” When her cheeks pinkened, I chose not to voice the details. “Once you’re ruined, no one else will want you.”
“Except for Penham.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
She frowned. “I’m going to kill Henry.”
I leaned forward, amused. “You won’t gain your freedom if you’re sent to the tower for killing your brother.”
Her frown deepened, but then she sighed and met my gaze head on. “Will you help me?”
I smirked. “Much as I could see myself rising to the occasion of ending another’s life, I’m afraid this situation doesn’t merit that.”
Her shoulders slumped. “That’s fine. I don’t really want to see him die. But I am most vexed. I need to make him pay.”
I was amused and, to my surprise, captivated by her intensity. I’d come here to return the promissory note currently in my pocket and force Weston to pay me. But now that I’d met his sister, I was curious to see how this situation would play out. “What do you have in mind?”
“Perhaps you could publicly stake your claim to me.”
I smirked, and color flooded her cheeks.
“No, not like that. I thought perhaps you could attend a ball or two. Dance with me once, and the rumors will spread. I will become a social pariah.” She grinned. “It will be wonderful.”
“And then what? Your brother will think that his and Penham’s scheme is working as planned.”
“It doesn’t matter. Since I’m not looking for a husband, I don’t care if I’m ruined.
I’ll have my freedom that much sooner. Perhaps Aunt Augusta will allow me to stay home after that instead of attending the other events to which she’s accepted invitations.
” She looked off into the distance, as though picturing it in her mind.
“It will be delightful. I’ll be able to stay home, with no more callers this season.
And next year, when I reach my majority, I’ll have control of my dowry. ”
“What if Penham decides to bundle you into a carriage and take you to Gretna Green?”
She frowned and looked at me. “Would he do that?”
I tilted my head and examined her. “I don’t know. Would he?”
“I don’t believe Henry would allow him to. Besides, as long as you don’t renounce your claim on me…” She shook her head. “It would be unwise to cross a Legend, after all.”
I could think of more than a few men who would love nothing better than to try, but they’d regret the attempt. The question was, did I want to be a pretend suitor? I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not going to marry you.”
She folded her arms across her chest and leaned forward, mimicking my aloof disdain. “I wouldn’t have you.”
I grinned. Let the games begin.