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She doesn’t like me, he thought. And to his surprise, that didn’t offend him at all. It impressed him.

He could hardly tear his eyes away from her as he returned to his pheasant. He felt as though he was studying the most intricate painting he had ever seen, picking out the most minute details rendered by the artist. She was a masterpiece.

The moment the food was finished, Astrid got abruptly to her feet and began to gather the plates. Conor allowed her to take his away without a struggle, even though he had a few bites remaining. He looked over his shoulder, watching her as she left.

She didn’t look back at him.

There was something so powerful and decisive about her body language. Even when she shied away from him, it was obvious that it was an act. She was fearless.

How could he ever have thought she might be afraid of him?

Tobias Dawson now got to his feet. “Shall we retire to my office?” he asked. He couldn’t disguise the eagerness on his face, and Conor felt momentarily disgusted with the man. The sooner he signed away his daughter, the sooner he would be assured of his own safety from the law.

He always wanted this marriage, Conor thought.For him, this was never about making sure his daughter was comfortable or ensuring that I would treat her well once we were wed.

It was an appalling thought. How could he care so little about his own daughter’s happiness? How could he put his own well-being first to such an extravagant degree?

He hardly knows me. He’s getting lucky, because I know I’ll treat her well. But he can’t know that for sure. How can he be so eager to sign this contract?

It was shocking, and yet somehow, he wasn’t even surprised.

Tobias Dawson was a greedy, self-centered man. It took a greedy, self-centered man to attempt to solve his problems, no matter how serious they were, by stealing from another. He had known Dawson was like this as soon as he had discovered the problem with his books.

But he couldn’t believe Dawson’s cold heartedness extended to his daughter.

He was so protective of her. That was widely known. Astrid Dawson never left her father’s house. She knew few people, and few people knew her.

Conor had assumed it had something to do with the death of Dawson’s wife. It made sense to him that a man would keep his daughter close after losing her mother.

But now he wondered. Maybe the man was just controlling. Maybe he wanted to rule over his daughter’s life, manage all her decisions, keep her from doing anything independently.

That would explain why he’s not hesitating to hand her over to me. He probably always assumed that one day he would marry her off without taking her input under consideration.

No. Probably it was some combination of both factors. Tobias Dawson certainly loved his daughter. One had only to look at the way he had broken down when trying to explain his theft. He had resorted to extreme action for her sake.

But at the same time, he wasn’t acting thoughtfully or judiciously.Heisa controlling man, Conor thought.He’s exercising such tight control because he thinks he knows best and because he wants the best for her. But he is a controlling man.

With one last glance over his shoulder at Astrid, he turned and followed Dawson into the study where they had met just the previous day. Conor took the same seat he’d occupied then. Dawson puttered around the room a little before finding his own eat, and Conor suspected he was trying to establish a dominant role in the upcoming negotiations.

I’m right about him. He’s an extremely controlling person.

Finally, Dawson sat, and the paperwork was produced. Both men signed.

“This clause here,” Dawson said as Conor scrawled his name. “Indicates that no legal action will be pursued regarding the unfortunate incident with your ledger.”

Conor raised an eyebrow. “Unfortunate incident? Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“I don’t wish to have this held over my head for the rest of my life, My Lord,” Dawson said, his voice tight. “We made an agreement as gentleman. My daughter for your pardon. I have held up my end of the bargain.”

Conor nodded slowly. “So you have. Well, you needn’t worry. I’m as good as my word. I won’t be pursuing any legal action against you, just as we discussed.”

Dawson relaxed visibly. “I’m very glad to hear you don’t intend to go back on your promise,” he said. “I knew you were an honorable man, Lord Middleborough. I knew it when I offered you my daughter’s hand. She’s a lucky young woman.”

“Should we discuss the wedding?” Conor asked.

“I leave it to you to make the arrangements,” Dawson said. He spoke as though he was being generous, but Conor heard the implication—I leave it to you to pay for the wedding.

He would have paid for it anyway. He was Earl of Middleborough, and Astrid was a commoner. But he was offended, nonetheless. He got to his feet. “I suppose we’re done here, then.”