Page 17 of Marry in Secret
“Interesting?” Cal snorted. “I can think of a better word. Infuriating. Inconvenient. Impossible. I’d like to strangle the swine.”
“As I recall, you almost tried.”
“Can’t blame me. Fellow’s got a damned cheek.”
“Didn’t seem to bother him, though, did it? Not afraid of you, was he?”
Cal shrugged. “Didn’t fight back.”
“Chose not to,” Ned said with meaning.
Cal cast him a swift glance and scowled. “Damned provocative.”
“Mmm. That’s what I find interesting.”
“Eh?”
“I think he’s doing it deliberately.”
“Doing what?”
“Stirring you up, trying to provoke you.”
Cal snorted. “Trying? He’s damned well succeeding.”
“You’re too close to the situation. Think about it. He’s testing you.”
“Testing me?” Cal sat up indignantly. “Why the devil shouldhebe testingme?”
“That’s what I find interesting. If he was trying to get himself accepted by Rose’s family, one would expect him to be more conciliatory, even ingratiating. But he’s not.”
“Quite the opposite.”
“Exactly,” Ned agreed.
“Hmph. He’s too damned sure of himself.”
The two men sipped their cognac thoughtfully. “The way he handled your attempt to bribe him was interesting, too,” Ned said after a while.
Cal snorted. “He knows she’s worth more than that. That’s why he’s being so blasted annoying—he wants more money.”
“Not so sure about that, myself. Think he’s winding you up.” Ned crossed his long legs and settled back in his chair. “It must have occurred to him, if it hasn’t yet occurred to you, that as Rose’s legal husband, he’s already entitled to the whole of her fortune.”
“Not if I get it annulled.”
Ned shrugged. “Think there’s a good chance he’ll end up as our brother-in-law.”
“Over my dead body.”
Ned looked amused. “Hope it won’t come to that.”
There was a short silence, then Cal said, “Where do you think he’s been all this time?”
Ned pursed his lips, considering. “He’s dashed reticent about it. Got to be something shady.”
Cal nodded. “And his reappearance—timed perfectly for thespeak now or forever hold your peacepart—too blasted melodramatic for words. Got to be calculated for maximum impact.”
“And in front of half the ton—no chance of hushing it up now.”
