Page 18 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
“Good.” Alexander nodded. “I need everything to be perfect.” Although, he could not, for the life of him, explain to himself why.
It could all be so simple. All he needed to do was give Tom the word and the debt would be collected within a matter of days. The affair would be sorted out and he would never see Lady Ravenscroft again. That was, at least, how he would have handled any other debt collection.
He silently gasped at the thought, realizing this was the last thing he wanted to endure. Yes, endure. That was exactly the word that appeared inside the confines of his mind. Only, who would endure what? Lady Ravenscroft would be subject to public humiliation, and he would be none the more wicked for what he had done.
That somehow didn’t seem fair to him, especially in light of the bravado Lady Ravenscroft had shown the previous day. Alexander had witnessed many a gentleman stand before him… no, kneel before him, on the verge of tears, begging and pleading to have their debt written off, or handled in any other manner that did not include public humiliation.
Lady Ravenscroft was different. So much different. She had not come crying and begging. She had come as a lady, standing tall and dignified, regardless of the proposition she had brought with her. That did not diminish the awe he was in at her.
“It will be perfect,” Tom assured him, bringing him back to the present moment.
Alexander pondered for a few moments. He wondered if he should share some of his concerns with Tom, and perhaps lighten the weight on his mind at least a little. He opted for the positive response. After all, Tom had probably been wondering why he had not been told to collect the late Lord Ravenscroft’s debt from his wife, although he did not ask any such thing.
“Lady Ravenscroft is coming this evening to discuss the terms of repaying her late husband’s debt,” Alexander explained as much as he thought was appropriate. Then, words started to gush out of him like a flood. “I don’t know what it is about this woman, Tom, but I want to help her. She is a widow, without the protection of a husband.
Even worse, the person who was supposed to protect her and keep her safe has left her in the clutches of dire financial trouble. I just cannot turn my back to someone like that. Perhaps, after this evening… we might find a way that would benefit us both.”
The last thing Alexander wanted to do was to reveal the terms of Anna’s proposition. That would mean betraying her trust. But at the same time, he also felt Tom deserved some sort of explanation as to why he had not yet been issued orders to settle the Ravenscroft debt. That, as well as Tom’s role as the one who would be responsible for sending secret notes and letters to her, should their arrangement come to fruition. He hoped it would.
“Your Grace is too kind,” Tom pointed out, although Alexander could see that the man did not completely agree with his standpoint. “My only advice is to be vigilant to whom you extend your aid, Your Grace.”
“I always am, Tom,” Alexander assured him, grateful to have someone reasonable by his side, as right now, he was not really thinking reasonably. “And as always, I value your advice.”
Tom nodded gratefully, reaching for the doorknob, signaling that he did not wish to take up any more of his master’s time. “If you do not need me for anything else, Your Grace…”
“No, old friend. Rest, and hopefully, tomorrow, we will witness the unraveling of this predicament.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Tom smiled, closing the door behind him.
Alexander glanced at the clock again. Seconds hung heavy in the air, like suspended rain, a palpable anticipation that seemed to echo the steady ticking. The atmosphere crackled with an electric tension as he awaited Anna’s arrival. Every moment felt like an eternity.
The polished parquet floor absorbed the weight of his anticipation, the muted sounds of the bustling city beyond the window offered a distant counterpoint to the pulsating rhythm of his own heartbeat.
He felt as if he would be waiting forever.
***
Anna’s reflection in the looking glass bore witness to a delicate dance of anticipation and trepidation. The gown she had chosen, a masterpiece of silk and lace, clung to her figure in a way that accentuated her curves in a graceful manner, but the subtle uncertainty in her emerald eyes betrayed the underlying tension. Perhaps she ought to have chosen something a tad bit more revealing? Perhaps her cheeks needed a bit more powder, her lips a little more rouge?
No,she shook her head at herself. That would not be her. She already felt as if she were wearing someone else’s skin, someone who was far braver and more confident than she was.
“You look lovely, my lady,” Eliza assured her, locking eyes with her mistress in the looking glass.
Anna smiled a bit nervously. “Do you think so?”
Her trembling fingers traced the delicate embroidery that adorned the bodice of her gown, and she took a steadying breath. The gown, with its flowing lines and intricate patterns, was a testament to the careful consideration she had put into her appearance.
She had chosen the most beautiful gown she owned, but despite this effort, the looking glass seemed to magnify her insecurities, focusing not on the elegance of the garment but rather on the imperceptible imperfection of her gait.
Anna looked down at her foot. The questions lingered, casting shadows on her resolve. Would the duke point out her limp? Would it be a flaw in his eyes, diminishing the allure she sought to project? Anna’s fingers tightened momentarily on the delicate fabric, her reflection a portrait of conflicting emotions. Yes, she had made up her mind, but she had no idea how she would go about it all.
“I am absolutely certain of it,” Eliza assured her.
“You are too kind.” Anna smiled at Eliza, grateful for the reassurance, although feeling that she would need much more of it in the hours to come.
Summoning her inner strength, Anna straightened her posture. “I still cannot believe that I am going to do this.”
“Does it feel wrong?” Eliza always knew what to ask to make Anna think. She knew how to look beyond the surface of things and point out what needed to be discussed, even when Anna herself could not see it.
