The Study of Seduction (Sinful Suitors, #2)(46)

“That’s absurd,” she said, though a frisson of fear skittered down her spine. “I always have a recourse. I will simply jilt you. It will make things difficult for you, I know, and I’m very sorry for that, but at least—”

“That won’t work, damn it. Don’t you see? He doesn’t mean to give you a choice! He was lurking in your street just last night. He’s obsessed with having you as his wife. If you continue to refuse him, one day he will simply abduct you and carry you off to Gretna Green. Or worse, to France. He could get away with it, too. Diplomats are immune to all charges except murder.”

Slowly the reason for his sense of urgency sank in, along with a hard knot of anger at Durand. “But why is he obsessed, drat it? Why does he want me? I don’t understand him!”

“You’re a beautiful woman, full of vibrancy and good humor. Who wouldn’t want you?”

The delicious words startled her. They weren’t at all like him, which made her suspicious. “This is not the time to be trying out your newfound skill at compliments. There are plenty of women like me.”

“Not as many as you’d think.” Glancing away, Edwin rubbed the back of his neck. “But I’ll admit that his fixation with you goes beyond the pale. I can only assume that by wedding you, he hopes to gain access to something he wants.”

“Like what?”

He huffed out a breath. “Bloody hell, I don’t know. I wish I did. Perhaps Warren is wrong about his wealth. Perhaps he lost it at the gaming tables.”

“If it’s just about money, there are any number of heiresses who would happily marry a French count on his way to great success as a diplomat. Why insist on marrying a woman who clearly despises him?”

“He doesn’t seem to believe you do.”

“Then he’s blind, deaf, and dumb,” she said stoutly.

“Or he doesn’t care how you feel. Right now, it hardly matters what his reasons are. It doesn’t change the fact that he has both of us trapped.”

“Not you.” She sank onto her bed. She was tired of dealing with Durand, tired of the up-and-down, of being sure he was out of her hair only to have him show up again. “You must protect your family and take his bargain. I’ll jilt you, and Mama and I will keep to the house until Warren is home. Then he can handle Durand.”

“The way he’s been handling him?” Edwin’s face darkened. “You know damned well Warren might not be back for weeks. I am not leaving you alone to be abducted by that bastard.”

“So what exactly are you proposing? That he drag you and your sister—and her new husband—through another scandal while you nobly hold down the fort until Warren returns?”

“No. I have another plan.” He strode over to look out the balcony door. “You and I should marry right away. Tomorrow morning, first thing. I’ve already obtained a special license, so I’ll come to take you riding in the morning and we’ll go straight to the church. Your mother allowed us to go in the phaeton with only my tiger before, so that will work. We needn’t even involve her in the wedding, since you’re of age and don’t need her permission. I’ve already spoken to my parish priest—”

“Wait, wait, stop it!” She jumped up from the bed. “Marry? How does that keep Durand from revealing your family secrets?”

He faced her, the shadows throwing the sharp planes of his face into harsh relief. “Once we marry and he loses any chance to gain you, he’s lost his weapon. Divorce is nearly impossible to obtain, even for a man of my stature, so he can’t make you his bride. That would leave no reason for him to spill my family secrets, other than a fit of pique, since it won’t achieve his original aim. Even Durand isn’t stupid enough to risk his own career in diplomacy to spread slander about an English earl just to vent his temper.”

Lord. What a plan. “I’m not so sure about that. As long as we don’t know why he’s—”

“I’m not just rushing into this, if that’s what you think.”

“I think you’re quite mad.”

He reached into the pocket of his frock coat and pulled out a folded sheaf of papers. “I had my solicitor draw up a marriage settlement this morning.” Setting it on the bed, he added, “I think you’ll find it more than generous, but take some time to look it over tonight. If it doesn’t meet with your approval, we can go to his office first thing so you can dictate any changes before we head to the church.”

While she was flattered that he trusted her with legal documents—most men wouldn’t believe a woman could even read them properly—this was all moving rather quickly. “Edwin—”

“If you want to involve your mother, I understand—but she’s not very good at keeping secrets, and Durand absolutely cannot know of it until it’s done.”

“I don’t care if Mama is involved, but—”

“Our marriage needn’t be a typical one, you know.” His throat moved convulsively. “If you prefer to live separately, we can do that once we’re sure that Durand is no longer an issue.”

“Which would make it a trifle hard for you to sire an heir, and I don’t—”

“Obviously, I’d prefer that we bear children and raise them together as husband and wife, but if that doesn’t suit you—”