Page 54

“Certainly!” Azriel’s voice was bright as he handed me the pen. “Spain is lovely this time of year.”

“Spain?” I raised an eyebrow as I took the pen from his hand. “You never mentioned this to me before.”

“A surprise, beloved.”

I inhaled deeply as I put the pen to the paper, the ink pooling into a blot as I hesitated. This was it. My final warrant, not for death but for a life of captivity. Forever the property of Azriel Caine. I dared not even hope for the marriage to be declared invalid, for then he would still hold all the cards. I knew he could never let me go.

There was no escape for me now.

With a swish of the pen, I signed my name, and Barnley snatched the paper away to sign it himself, slamming a giant stamp onto the paper so the table shook. Signed and sealed. I was Evangeline Caine once more.

“And it is done,” Barnley said, fanning a hand over the paper to dry the ink. “Congratulations. May you enjoy many happy years together as husband and wife.”

“May I kiss my bride?” Azriel asked, pulling me close to him.

“If you must,” Barnley muttered, smiling quickly as Azriel’s head snapped in his direction. “You may kiss your bride!” The man announced joyously.

Azriel turned back to me, smiling down at me. “You are my world, Evie. Never forget it.”

The kiss was soft, and warm. I hated how it felt, how final, how possessive his hand was around my waist. It was far too consuming and far too awkward, which was ridiculous considering all the things this man and his mouth had done to me over the past days. But the action felt almost… reverent.

When he drew back from me, he planted one smaller kiss against the tip of my nose, and I sucked in a breath. That felt too intimate. I hated the wave of emotion it stirred up within me.

I had to remind myself that I did not want this, and as much as Azriel was playing the part of the devoted, giddy groom, he was putting on as much of an act as I. Nothing but a play, albeit one performed to perfection, to convince the weasel Barnley that this illicit marriage was genuine.

“For better or worse, Evie. Til death us do part,” Azriel murmured the words, his icy blue eyes gazing into mine.

“Indeed.” I wanted to say more, but I was keenly aware of Barnley staring at us, the rolled up marriage certificate bouncing in his hand as he proffered it to us.

Azriel plucked it from his hand, and gave the man a nod. “Thank you, and good day to you, sir. You have truly been of great service to me today.” He offered his arm, which I took, and ferried me towards the door.

Barnley rounded his desk, rubbing his hands together. “Mr Caine? I mean, sir, I only mean, uh…. When may I expect, I mean… The funds, sir?”

Azriel stopped, turning his head to give the man a languid smile. “My good man, my lawyer is paying off your debtors as we speak. Rest assured, all shall be taken care of by morning.” We again resumed our walk to the door, when Barnley hurried after us.

“Sir, I did mean, the, uh, the extra funds?”

Azriel turned us so we were both facing him, and he perched his hat on his head, adjusting his cane and tapping it in Barnley’s direction. “Do you think I am not good for it?”

Barnley’s eyebrows shot up right along with his hands, and he shook his head quickly. “Oh no, sir, no, I only mean to inquire as to when-”

“Your lady wife shall be receiving the funds shortly.” Azriel cast a quick glance at the clock that ticked solemnly against the wall. “Yes, I gave instructions for ten.”

“My-my wife?” Barnley had not been expecting this, and I suppressed a smirk.

“Of course, sir,” I said brightly, giving the weasel the most dazzling smile I could manage. “Your good lady wife is of course in charge of the household, therefore it would only make sense for the funds to be delivered into her trusted hands. Seeing as she has a child to prepare for.”

Azriel chuckled low in his throat, clasping my hand tighter under his arm. It felt devious to almost be in league with him, but to see the smarmy man squirm and run for his hat was worth it.

“Excuse me, please!” Barnley practically sprinted out of the office, leaving Azriel and I to suppress our laughter as we followed him out onto the street, and to our awaiting carriage. I cast one last look after Barnley’s retreating figure as I climbed up, hoping his wife delivered of a healthy child, and gave her husband a what for.

“Evangeline Caine,” Azriel said as the carriage began to bounce along the streets. “You are truly a marvel.”

“Hardly a marvel.” I smoothed down my skirts, gazing nonchalantly out of the window. “I simply have no patience for men like that.”

“Then you and I are, at least, in agreement on something.”

I turned back to face him. “Did you really send the money to his wife?”