Page 71 of To Pleasure a Prince
Both men frowned at her.
“What is it?” Simon asked.
She tugged her hand from Marcus’s, knowing that what she was about to say was outrageous. Of course she had to marry him; a crowd was already forming beyond them, and it would take no time for them to figure out what was going on. A few questions to a footman, and they would all know—
No, she could not survive a scandal like that. Society was her whole life, and if it cut her off, she would go mad. But neither could she endure being locked up in the country for months at a time with Marcus. Especially when he found out the truth about her, which inevitably he must.
She ought to tell him now. But what if he backed out of his agreement to marry her? Then she’d be ruined, an outcast. She wouldn’t let that happen. She would rather be a sacrificial virgin than a woman of no honor. Besides, marriage to Marcus didn’t have to be a sacrifice if she took precautions.
“You’re marrying his lordship,” Simon said firmly. “You have no choice.”
“I understand, but—” Regina took a deep breath. “He must agree to certain conditions before I’ll consent.”
“Under the circumstances,” Simon snapped, “you can’t ask for conditions.”
“Let her speak.” Marcus glanced warily at her. “Tell me what you want.”
She gazed beyond him to where Cicely stood frozen in shock. “First, you must allow Cicely to attend me at Castlemaine. She can no longer live with Simon in what will now be a bachelor household.”
As relief spread over Cicely’s face, Simon rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry about Ciss. I’ll make sure she has a comfortable position at one of my estates.”
“No, I want her with me.” A plan had begun to form in her mind. If Cicely could be there to help her read and manage the household, she might never have to tell Marcus of her problem. “His lordship must take her in.”
“Fine,” Marcus said. “Castlemaine is a big place. There’s plenty of room for your cousin. Anything else?”
She swallowed. He would have trouble with her next condition. “I want a house in town. And the freedom to reside there when I wish, especially during the season.” When his brow lowered, she added hastily, “You may stay with me, too, of course. But if you won’t let me have my jaunts to town, I can’t marry you.”
“The hell you can’t,” Simon cut in. “Father might have tolerated your willfulness, my girl, but—”
“It’s all right,” Marcus interrupted. “I’ll agree to that condition, too.” She turned a grateful smile on him. Then he added, “But I have two of my own.”
She tensed.
Simon lifted his eyes heavenward. “What the bloody hell areyours?”
“The first is that your sister agrees to be faithful to me.”
Regina glared at Marcus, thoroughly insulted. “Of course I will be faithful.”
Marcus’s gaze locked with hers. “I mean faithful for life. Not faithful until you bear an heir and a spare. I won’t tolerate any infidelity, discreet or otherwise. I know how your fast friends view marriage, but I view it differently. No matter what the scandal, I won’t hesitate to divorce you if I learn you’ve been unfaithful even once. Do you understand?”
She notched up her chin. “Perfectly. And I repeat,of course I will be faithful.”
He searched her face and seemed satisfied by what he saw there, because he then turned to Simon. “My other condition is for you, Foxmoor.”
“I will settle upon Regina whatever you require—”
“It’s not about money. I will agree to marry your sister. But only ifyouagree never to see mine again.”
Chapter Fifteen
Beware hotheaded young gentlemen.
—Miss Cicely Tremaine,The Ideal Chaperone
Marcus stood steadfast against Foxmoor’s black scowl and the instant protests of the females. This was an enormous gamble. By some amazing good fortune, he’d caught Regina, and he wanted to keep her. God, how he wanted to keep her, in spite of her damned conditions.
But the sight of Foxmoor preparing to head off with Louisa had ignited his temper. Clearly the duke had been using the excuse of Regina’s disappearance to whisk Louisa off for a rendezvous with Prinny.
