AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She thought on that for a minute, her deliciously full lips forming a plump bow. Suddenly her eyes lit with a spark of mischief. “I do think I prefer the term ‘conjugality coordinator.’”
He nodded, trying to keep a straight face though he had the mad desire to laugh as he hadn’t for years. “That’s very professional. And what is your fee?”
Once more uncertainty seemed to take hold of her. Though this time she actually blanched. “Ah, yes. The fee.”
He raised a brow. “I assume you have a number in mind?”
“I do.” She nodded rapidly, muttering almost to herself, “Oh, I certainly have a number in mind.” And then, as if building up the courage to say it, she straightened her back and raised her chin, looking him full in the face. “I think one hundred pounds would suffice. And I would have this agreement kept between the two of us.”
Somehow he managed to keep his expression impassive. Though he would gladly pay ten times that amount to keep from having to go to London, he hadn’t expected her to require such a sum.
She’d mentioned needing funds. But why would she require such a sum? Why didn’t she go to her family for the money if she was in such dire straits? And why keep it quiet? Was she in trouble?
But it was none of his business, he told himself firmly. In truth, he would be a fool to refuse, for it would solve all of his problems. Well, he conceded wryly, most of his problems.
“Of course,” he replied. “Whatever you need.”
Shock and relief flared in her eyes before she quickly brought it under control. “You will hire me on then, Your Grace? As your conjugality coordinator?” She held out her hand.
This was ridiculous, a mad scheme straight out of a sensational novel. People did not do such things in this day and age.
And he knew in a moment he would be the greatest fool to refuse.
He took her hand in a strong grip, ignoring the zing that shot from her palm into his. “You’re hired, Mrs. Kitteridge.”
Chapter 3
Margery watched the duke later that night from under her lashes. She should be relieved she had found a way to pay the blackmailer. The duke and his problems were a blessing dropped right in her lap, after all.
Yet she was still amazed at her daring.Conjugality coordinator?It was madness.
More surprising than her own daring in offering her services, however, had been his accepting her proposal so quickly. But as the evening had progressed, her disbelief had quickly disappeared.
The man truly was awkward in company. All night long he’d stumbled and blushed and sat in glaring silence. Even now, with dinner over and everyone settled once again in the drawing room, he could not seem to relax. As Margery watched, he reached for a glass of wine from a footman, then promptly spilled a good portion of it down the front of the man’s uniform. Effusive apologies ensued, the duke retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket, hurriedly wiping the man’s coat. A slight tussle occurred, with the footman aghast, attempting to extricate himself. In short order the mess was cleared up, a fresh glass in the duke’s hand. But the damage had been done, for His Grace, quickly retreating to an empty corner of the room, appeared more miserable than he had all evening.
She bit her lip. This was no mere unease with his appearance. No, this appeared to go much deeper, an awkwardness that seemed part and parcel with the man himself. It had mayhap worsened with the addition of his scars and his perception of how others viewed him, but she had a feeling that was merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Suddenly the couch dipped beside her. Startled, she turned her head to see Lenora happily smiling at her.
“I vow,” her friend said, tucking an arm through Margery’s and giving it a squeeze, “though I miss my dear little Charlotte, it is lovely to get out for an evening. Especially now that both our Clara and Phoebe are back on the Isle. I’ve missed them dreadfully.”
Margery was glad for the distraction from the duke. She was only beginning to comprehend just how difficult finding him a bride in just under four weeks was going to be, no matter his station. Would that she had more time. But no, she reminded herself, four weeks it must be, allowing her to secure the funds from His Grace just before the blackmail money came due.
Her stomach lurched at the reminder of just why she was embarking on this scheme in the first place.Aaron, she told herself. She was doing this for Aaron and his good name. And she would ignore the difficulty of the job ahead…as well as her peculiar physical reactions to the duke. Something she might need to work at controlling, if his effect on her in the hall was any indication.
“I’ve missed them as well,” Margery said, looking to her cousins and their spouses, refusing to even think on her unwelcome attraction to the duke a moment longer. “But it does my heart good to see how very happy they are.”
“I’ve never seen them so radiant.” Lenora’s smile turned mischievous. “Your grandmother must be over the moon, with the spoils of her matchmaking surrounding her on all sides. And with His Grace here, she must have another conquest planned. He is her preferred specimen, after all: a young, single duke.”
Matchmaking.Margery’s smile turned sickly, wondering what her friend would think of her own newly acquired profession ofconjugality coordinator.
Though perhaps Gran’s obsession—and talent—for matching couples might work in her favor. Perhaps if she could deduce who the older woman was planning on matching the man with, she could utilize the information to her benefit.
She schooled her features into mild curiosity. “Who do you suppose she’s thinking of for the duke’s love interest?”
Lenora merely pursed her lips and arched one brow.
It took Margery some seconds to understand the very pointed look her friend was giving her. “Me?” Margery squeaked, even as her heart beat out a disturbingly rapid rhythm at such a suggestion. She cleared her throat, praying her face didn’t appear as hot as it felt. “Please, that couldn’t possibly be true. If there’s anyone she’s planning on matching him with, it would be Miss Denby.” An idea that should not have sat so very wrong with Margery. She was fully planning on finding someone to wed the man, after all, and Miss Denby would make a fine candidate for the position. In fact, it would be a positively brilliant match, as the woman was not only the sister of a baronet, but was also staying in the same household and would, therefore, provide Margery with a veritable live-in option. As the sour taste in her mouth persisted, she determined that Miss Denby would be the first candidate on her list of prospective brides.
