Chapter 1-3
968 Words
“Let us say I’m surprised at your defiant streak, that is all.”
Perdita stared at him challengingly. “I behave appropriately in public, a dutiful daughter and a well-bred lady, but you have no idea what sort of woman I really am.” He truly didn’t. She was a lady, well-versed in conversation, a charming hostess, a delight among the ton, but that wasn’t all she was. There were other, hidden sides of herself she dared not reveal.
Darlington’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Now that is most interesting. As your fiancé, I will make it my sacred duty to uncover these hidden facets of your character.”
She tilted her head, studying him in return. “How about your services then?” She wanted to keep this matter as businesslike between them as she could manage. He would no doubt rob her of her good sense with his kisses, but if she held fast and reminded them both this was only business and nothing more, then perhaps she might survive this devil’s bargain with her heart intact.
“I have one last question before I agree, and I demand honesty in your answer.”
She weighed the risk of losing his help against any question he might demand and then nodded. “Ask.”
“What hold does Milburn have over you that leaves you in such fear? I do not believe for a moment that your parents would force you to accept a match with him even if he dragged you down with scandal. No, there is something that makes you fear you might have no choice to accept if he pursues you.” Darlington played with the cuffs of his right-hand sleeve. “What does he hold over you, Miss Darby?”
It was the one question she didn’t want to answer, but she knew she had to.
“In private, he has claimed that he can prove my father was involved in the smuggling of goods into England and evading taxes.” She hesitated, hoping she could trust Darlington with such information.
“And is he? Guilty, I mean?”
“No! I mean, that is to say, he isn’t. But I fear the men he invests with might very well be guilty. I believe Milburn might even be working with them to frame my father, and unfortunately I have no way of stopping them. If I marry him, he says he will destroy the evidence, but if I do not…”
“And you believe that an engagement to me will stop him?”
“It has to,” she whispered. “If he no longer desires me, then he has no reason to go through with his threats. And you are one of the most wicked men in London. If he isn’t afraid of you and tries to take what is yours, such as a future wife, he would be mad.”
The corners of lips twitched. “That is certainly true. I wouldn’t hesitate to destroy any who dared take what is mine, especially a woman. Very well, I agree to this scheme, mad though it is.” Darlington held out one hand to her. “Shall we shake upon it?” He was quite serious, except for the wicked gleam in his eyes. A gleam that promised every moment with him would be deliciously sinful torture.
Perdita placed her palm in his. “We have an accord.”
“Agreed.” He turned her hand in his, lifting it to his lips as he kissed her knuckles.
“Good.” She hesitated, relishing the feel of his lips upon her bare fingers before she tugged her hand free of his. “My mother is hosting a Christmas party at our estate in Lothbrook. I will see to it that you are invited. Please bring your valet, and have him pack enough clothes to last through Christmas.”
Darlington nodded, but when she turned to leave, he caught her arm.
“Yes? Lord Darlington?” She eyed his hand on her arm. He did not release her, not like another man would.
“Given our new intimacy, it would please me to be called Vaughn whenever we are alone.”
“Vaughn.” She tested the sound of his given name, hating that she liked how smoothly it rolled off her tongue.
“And I expect to be introduced to Lord and Lady Lennox before the end of this year. Will that be possible?”
Perdita nodded. “Yes. I will arrange it as soon as I can.”
“Good.” He tucked her arm in his. “Let me escort you out.”
“Really, my lord—Vaughn. There’s no need.”
“I need to practice playing the part of a gentleman. I fear I may be a bit rusty.”
She remained silent as he led her down the stairs. When he opened the front door, she paused as the bitter wind cut through her. She glanced at him a moment longer before she pulled her cloak hood back up, concealing her features. She rushed to the waiting coach and climbed inside. She chanced one last peek at him through the curtains. He stood there in the doorway without a coat. She remembered the heat of his body pressed to hers and shivered, but not from the cold.
How strange to have made a bargain with Vaughn, Viscount Darlington. They were now bound together, and though they were united in their mission, she felt incredibly alone. She wished she could talk to her dear friend Alexandra, but she was the last person Perdita could confide in when it came to Vaughn.
When Vaughn had kidnapped Alex, it had been a terrifying ordeal, even after Vaughn had revealed he had no intention of harming her. When Alex learned of her supposed engagement to Vaughn, she would no doubt rush to Perdita and try to put a stop to her madness. It was not a meeting Perdita looked forward to, but she and Alex had such different views on how to handle society. Alex had hidden from it while Perdita had embraced it.
Perdita needed Vaughn’s dangerous reputation. It was the last shield she had against Samuel Milburn. It was something her dear friend would not understand because she was not the target of Milburn’s evil intent. Perdita had sold her soul to a lesser devil to protect herself from a worse one.
She prayed only that their scheme would work, or she was doomed.
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