Page 32 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

“Good.” Gilbert clapped his hands together. “Your daughter’s hand in marriage. That is my price.”

Lord Cyderton’s face fell, all color draining from his face as hope was replaced with shock and horror.

“What? Surely you cannot mean… Not Audrey, she is?—”

Gilbert cut him off, his voice cold as ice, unyielding as steel.

“Did you not say I could have anything? That all I had to do was name it and it would be mine? Perhaps I have not made myself clear. You are indebted to me. You have begged me for leniency.” He gestured around him magnanimously.

“I have said I am willing to forgive your debt. To let your past sins be forgotten. All I ask in exchange is to marry your eldest daughter.”

He held the Earl’s gaze, a challenge in his eyes.

What kind of man would sacrifice his daughter to save himself?

He let the silence stretch out between them. It was oppressive.

“Please.” The Earl’s voice shook with emotion. “Is there nothing else you desire? Perhaps some part of the land to do with as you wish, or?—”

“No, I did not come here to bargain, good sir. I have given you your choices,” Gilbert asserted, his voice firm. “Your daughter’s hand in exchange for a complete forgiveness of your debt. If that is not to your liking, perhaps the bailiffs will be kind when they arrive tomorrow.”

“Why Audrey?” Lord Cyderton clenched his fists in anger.

It is a test.

“Why not? Is it not common in the land for men to use their daughters for barter?” Gilbert affected nonchalance, letting the barb sit between him and Lord Cyderton.

Men will use their daughters to clean up their own messes, thinking of them as little more than assets to be sold. Are you that kind of man?

“And you are committed to this course of action? To force me to choose between public ruin and the loss of my oldest daughter?”

There was bitterness in Lord Cyderton’s voice, though Gilbert could tell the man was trying to rein in his emotions.

“I am simply demonstrating the law of cause and effect. You owe me an eye-watering sum of money, and rather than find it legitimately, you frittered what you had away by gambling, accruing more debt.” Gilbert’s voice was steady and even, as though he were simply stating that the sky was blue.

“And Audrey, she will be safe? You will have obligations to her,” Lord Cyderton asked, his shoulders tense.

Gilbert canted his head. “Then you accept my offer?”

“I want to know that my daughter will be safe.” Lord Cyderton narrowed his eyes at him.

“You have my word that she will have all that she needs. She will want for nothing.”

Which is more than you can offer .

Gilbert let the implication hang in the air between them.

“I need more than your word.” Lord Cyderton’s voice shook, but his eyes were full of steel.

In another life, perhaps I could have respected this man.

Gilbert canted his head, his tone detached as he asked, “Do you truly think you are in a position to bargain?”

“This is not bargaining.” Lord Cyderton shook his head, his voice growing firmer as he continued, “If Audrey is to be your price, then I must have reassurance. Both for her sake and my own.”

I cannot believe he has agreed to this.

“An engagement contract, then. I shall have my solicitor draft it this afternoon and deliver it to you on the morrow.”

Lord Cyderton nodded. “Very well. In exchange for Audrey as your wife, you will forgive all my debt. If you can assure me she will be taken care of.”

Gilbert sensed a hidden challenge in the Earl’s voice. “How lucky Lady Audrey is to have such a caring father. Though I do not think I care for your implication. Need I remind you that I am not the one who has gambled away his fortune and now his daughter? I am not the one who cannot be trusted.”

“I just… I want to know that she will be safe.” Lord Cyderton’s attempt to keep the desperation from his voice had clearly failed.

“She will be safe. I am a man of my word.” Gilbert took the man’s hand and shook it briefly, even as his stomach roiled in disgust. “I will see you tomorrow, Lord Cyderton.”

“Tomorrow, Your Grace.” Lord Cyderton nodded curtly.

Gilbert turned around and strode out of the room. His head was full of everything that had just transpired. He had not expected Lord Cyderton to fail the test so spectacularly.

Though perhaps I should not be surprised. After all, he has hardly shown himself to be an honorable man.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he collided with a young woman just as he reached the entrance. He instantly recognized her as Lady Audrey.

“Oh… I beg your pardon,” Lady Audrey gasped.

“The fault was mine.” Gilbert inclined his head towards her. “I have just come from a meeting with your father.”

“Oh? I did not know Father had any meetings planned for the day. Usually, we plan together for such things.” There was a note of pride in her voice as she said this.

She cares a great deal for the running of the estate.

Uneasiness sat low in Gilbert’s stomach. “The meeting was not planned.”

Lady Audrey canted her head, confusion clear on her face. “Sorry, but who are you?”

“Ask your father who I am. I am afraid I have business I must attend to.” Gilbert once more inclined his head, his face as emotionless as a stone. “I shall see you again soon, I expect.”

Without waiting for a reply, he moved past her and climbed into his waiting carriage. As the coachman urged the horses on, Gilbert glanced back. Lady Audrey was watching him, a calculating expression on her face.

It was only then that it dawned on him that he had just proposed marriage to the Earl’s secret business partner. He had invited her into his home. She would have access to everything.

I shall have to watch her carefully.

He would not be made a fool of again, and definitely not by Lady Audrey Cadhill.