Page 79 of A Virgin for the Rakish Duke

“I wish to discuss a change to its parameters,” Jeremy declared, woodenly. “I have run into a problem concerning the liquidity of my fortune. To be blunt, I can no longer afford the majority stake in the Opera House. If you can increase your investment and share, then I can still enter the partnership... as a...”

He couldn't finish.

What is the point? If I am equal partner with no exclusive control or authority, then I cannot realize it as I wish. So why bother?

Because he could persuade or bully Simon into doing things his way. Because he would still own the Opera House and havesomesay in what became of it. That was better than nothing. Wasn't it?

“As an equal partner?” Simon finished, a crooked smile spreading across his face. “Why, of course! I have the funds to purchase it outright at more than the price my parents need to sell it for. They do not wish to sell to me alone, which is why I offered a partnership. I would be happy to put in more of my own capital to help you.”

Jeremy looked away from the triumphal expression on Simon's face. He felt defeated, not at all a man on the verge of achieving his heart's desire. This compromise had stolen any sense of satisfaction he might have derived from it.

I cannot stay here a moment longer. It is done.

“Very well. My banker will write to you concerning the revised amount I am able to put in. We will complete the details before the dinner with your parents, where they expect me to sign. I take it they know of our partnership?”

Simon's smile slipped slightly. “They do, and they believe I will... benefit from your experience.”

Jeremy smiled tightly, feeling a small sense of victory in the slight Simon had felt from his parents. He stood.

“Then there is no more to be said. I will leave you to your redecorating. I do not need to be seen out.”

He strode to the door but stopped at a word from Simon, one hand on the doorknob.

“What of Harriet Tisdale?”

Jeremy looked over his shoulder. Simon had settled back in his chair, arms draped indolently over the sides. He crossed his legs, watching Jeremy with the eyes of a snake.

“My fiancée? What of her?”

“Your...fiancée, yes.” He leaned forward now. “That came as quite a surprise to my friend Eloise, you know. I have since marveled at how similar in looks they are... Both dark of hair and bright of eye. Both with fine curving figures, and beautiful,beautifulcountenances. Why, at a masked ball, I am not sure I could tell them apart! Particularly if all I had to go on for one of them was a written description.”

Jeremy turned to face him. Ice crept along his spine. Some devilry was about to be unveiled.

“What are you driving at?” he asked.

“You introduced Lady Harriet to my parents as your fiancée at the Chelmsford ball. But you had arranged to meet Eloise de Rouvroy at that same function.”

Jeremy shrugged, smiling wolfishly. “I am a rogue when it comes to women. The gossip does not tell the half of it.”

Simon shook his head slowly. “Oh, I am sure you are a rake as the stories say, but I don't think that you were intent on adultery that night. I think… you mistook Lady Harriet for Eloise and were caught out by my parents, then forced to introduce her as your fiancée to avoid a catastrophic scandal. Am I warm?”

Jeremy fought the urge to cross the floor and throttle the man. He stood his ground.

“What do you want, Simon?” he said between gritted teeth.

“As there is nothing of substance between you and Harriet any longer...Iwant her.”

Jeremy felt like he had been struck by a physical blow. The obscenity of what Simon had suggested left him speechless. His hands clenched into fists, and Simon's continued existence hung in the balance for a moment. It would have been so easy to seize him by the lapels and proceed to squeeze the life from his eyes.

“You had better be specific,” Jeremy’s voice grated out of him.

Simon licked his lips, watching Jeremy’s face and suddenly seeming to experience a moment of uncertainty.

“I will put up the majority of the money for our partnership and ensure my parents are sold on you as my partner. I will alsosign a contract in which I agree to be a silent partner. One with no power over decision-making concerning the Opera House. None. Whatsoever.”

He hardly seemed to blink, hardly seemed to breathe. He watched Jeremy with reptilian stillness.

“…And in exchange?” Jeremy asked quietly.