Page 38 of A Duchess to Unravel
“AndI get to choose where I live and even purchase a new estate for myself if I so choose,” she added.
“Wherever ye choose to go, I dinnae care,” he replied, still sounding bored. “Ye can buy half the English countryside if ye want.”
Though still angry at him, Theo’s brows rose up in surprise.
“Exactly how wealthy are you?” She asked, and her anger intensified as a condescending laugh broke from Alistair’s lips.
“Let’s just say I am wealthier than your brother and all of his friends combined,” he replied. “One of the many advantages of growing up outside of England is that I avoided the small mind of this ridiculous culture and have expanded my trade far beyond the social elite that is theton.”
Theo could hear the loathing in Alistair’s voice as he spoke of English society, and even though she herself was a member of such, she could not fault him for it. She settled back into her seat, satisfied that at least everything she wanted would be given to her as promised.
“Now let us talk of my terms,” Alistair said, yanking her directly from that satisfaction.
Her eyes shot to him, narrowed.
“Yourterms?”
He raised a brow, tilting his handsome face as he gave her a warning look.
“First of all, while I enjoy your sharp tongue ye may want to be more careful with it,” he stated.
“I beg your pardon!”
“And you’ll have it,” he quipped back, leaning forward to brace his elbows on his knees; his hands brushing along her outer thighs from the lack of space. Even that small touch had her body stirring once again with desire, and she flushed as he continued to say, “This time. However, you need to be more aware of the line between amusing and disrespectful. Ye tend to toe it quite a bit. Keep in mind that my deal put you in the lap of protected luxury, Theo. A certain amount of respect is expected for that.”
The sharp retort she’d been preparing to say died on her tongue, and she took a steadying breath. She hated it, but he was right. He was doing her a rather large favor, even if that favor also benefited him to some degree.
“Noted,” she remarked, keeping her tone level. “Your terms, then?”
Alistair gave her a long studying look before leaning back into his seat, his hands brushing her thighs again as he pulled back. She hated that she instantly mourned the loss.
“Our marriage protects me from the overly insistent mamas without us doing much,” he conceded, “But you also need toactlike my wife from time to time. As part of doing business, you and I will need to go to events and, sadly, host them on occasion. I will keep our home vacant of visitors as much as possible, but when the time comes, ye will have to play the part of an obedient spouse.”
She opened her mouth to object, but Alistair put up a hand and added, “I am not a proponent for such a show either, but it must be done. Remember I am not only protecting my money now, but your brother’s and his close friends. My cousin’s husband, and your friend Amelia’s.”
At the mention of her friends, the act of portraying a wife suddenly seemed more important than ever. Theo loved them, dearly, and did not want them to lose anything because of her dissatisfaction with Alistair.
“Very well,” she begrudgingly agreed, “That is understandable. What else?”
In response, Alistair nodded to her window, and it was only then she noticed that their carriage had stopped. She turned her head to look at what he’d nodded to, and her mouth dropped open.
“This cannot be the Caldermere Estate,” she said eyeing up the looming, if not slightly foreboding castle before her.
“It is now,” Alistair stated. “I did nae like my uncle’s old estate, so I bought this one. We are still in Caldermere, but this is better suited to me.”
Theo hadn’t realized he’d moved to sit beside her until she heard his deep rumbling chuckle and felt the heat of his breath on her neck. Her skin prickled with excitement at the closeness, and she could not help the shiver of pleasure that traveled up her spine as his warm hand wrapped around the back of her neck, and his thumb massaged upwards into her hair.
“Dinnae worry, it only looks this imposing in the dark. It will appear much more welcoming in the light of the morning.”
Keeping her eyes to the window, Theo took in the stone enclosed courtyard and castle. Torches had been lit throughout the entire place, and in their flickering light she made out at least two large battlements, two smaller ones, and three turrets upon the massive building. It’s large, curved windows had been illuminated by candles on the first two floors, but the other two remained dark. It was all so foreboding. It reminded her of allthe dark and frightening fairy tales she’d long ago read, of evil witches and sorcerers.
“I doubt it,” she stated flatly, roaming her eyes up and down the castle again. “How long has it been since someone lived here?”
“Over a hundred years.” Alistair said as if it were not an issue. As if one hundred years was the same as a decade and that the changes needed were not at all that vast.
“Helping me get my new home ready for guests will be another one of your duties,” Alistair went on, the massaging motion of his thumb continuing as he talked softly in her ear.
“Ye will have staff to serve you. I’ll hire more if you need. But it needs a woman’s touch. A more welcoming feel for our guests. That will be up to you.”
