Page 116 of In the Prince's Bed
“This has nothing to do with you,” Alec bit out. “Let me talk to her.”
Katherine stood, her eyes now wary. “What do you want, Alec?”
“I told you—to speak to you privately.”
“No. When we’re private, you always…Whatever you have to say can be said in front of Sydney. He’s my friend.”
Alec choked back a string of jealous protests; they were certainly not the way to win her back. But must he say this in front of Lovelace, of all people?
Pride has no place in love.
Apparently he must. “First of all, I came to apologize.”
“For which offense? Deceiving me about your true purpose? Conspiring with Mr. Byrne behind our backs? Wanting to marry me only for my fortune?”
His jaw tightened. “Everything but the last. I never wanted you only for your fortune, and that’s the truth.”
“You say that,” she whispered, “but how can I ever believe it?”
“You can’t. Which is why I want to marry you without your fortune.”
Katherine blinked, then narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I want you, Katherine, whatever the cost. I’ll sign any marriage settlement you like—one that gives your fortune to your mother, or keeps it only in trust for our children, whatever you require.” He added hoarsely, “Just say you’ll marry me. That’s all I want.”
She tipped up her chin. “What about Edenmore? And your tenants and—”
“I’ve been thinking about all of that. I can’t sell Edenmore because of the entail, but I can offer it to let. Someone else can take over the tenant farms in exchange for whatever income it provides. And if you and I can’t live on the rents, then I can ride for Astley or even join the cavalry—I’m sure Wellington would offer me an officer’s commission if I asked.”
“What?” Sydney said. “Why the blazes would he do that?’
“Be quiet, Sydney,” Katherine whispered, her eyes locked on Alec. “And your servants? What about Mrs. Brown and Emson and the rest?”
Heartened by her response, he stepped nearer. “The younger ones would work for whoever lets Edenmore. The older ones would have to be pensioned off.”
“Using what for money?” Sydney sneered at him. “Your nonexistent officer’s commission?”
Alec glared at him. “I have friends willing to loan me funds.” He prayed they would, at any rate. “They’ll help me see that the old earl’s debts are paid, too, either by convincing his creditors to accept smaller monthly payments or advancing me the funds until I can repay them with the rents from Edenmore and my salary.”
“Leaving you nothing to live on,” Lovelace snapped.
Alec stiffened. “I know it would not be an easy life, but at least Katherine and I would be together.”
Lovelace snorted, but Katherine drew nearer, her eyes huge in her face. “Why would you give up your estate for me?”
That wasnotsomething he wanted to say in front of a sneering audience. “Please, sweetheart, give me five minutes alone with you. That’s all I ask.”
“Why?” Lovelace broke in before she could answer. “So you can twist her reason and blind her to your true character with kisses?” He turned to Katherine. “Dash it all, Kit, don’t you see what he’s doing? He knows that once he has you back in his snare, he can work on you until you admit that the fortune would make your life together much easier. Then it’s one quick step to the altar, and he gets everything he wants. As usual.”
When Alec saw Katherine’s face cloud over once more, his temper flared. “Blast you, Lovelace, don’t pretend you’re protesting my suit because you care abouther.We both know you wouldn’t have fought for her at all, if anyone but I had entered the picture. But the fact that she loves a man you loathe grates on you, doesn’t it? You hate that she thumbs her nose at your wealth, that even without money,I’mthe one she prefers.”
Lovelace’s eyes narrowed. “And you only want her money. So I’ll make you an offer here and now.” He squared his shoulders. “I’ll write you a bank draft for twenty thousand pounds.”
“Sydney, no!” Katherine put in.
Lovelace ignored her. “I realize it’s less than you’d hoped for, but it would certainly put a large dent in your debts. And you only have to walk away and leave her free. Just that.”
It was Alec’s turn to sneer. “Isn’t it generous of you to give away twenty thousand pounds of her fortune to rid yourself of a rival?”
