Page 12 of The Devil’s Bargain (The Lovers’ Arch: Later in Life #2)

12

Desperate Measures

D evlin stared at the fire, the telegram clutched in his hand. His fingers tightened on the paper as guilt warred with necessity. He had never considered himself a cruel man, but in business, sentiment had no place. Or at least, that’s what he’d always believed before Caroline Thurlow had upended his carefully ordered world.

The thought of her face when she received his ultimatum made his chest tighten uncomfortably. She would hate him for this. Perhaps irreparably. The tentative trust they’d built, those moments when her eyes sparkled with something dangerously close to affection... all of it would shatter.

Yet what choice did he have? Caroline Thurlow had forced his hand, and despite the growing ache in his chest at the thought of losing whatever was building between them, he would use every weapon at his disposal.

The stakes were too high for anything less. His empire, his legacy, his philanthropic dream hung in the balance. And he was not a man accustomed to losing. Nor was he a man who was ever deprived of the woman he desired. Even if securing it meant destroying his chance at something he hadn’t even known he wanted until she’d shown him what it meant to meet one’s match in both mind and spirit.

As he donned his coat and hat, preparing to venture out into the cold London night, Devlin felt a twinge of regret. In another life, under different circumstances, he might have courted her, offered for her.

But the die was cast. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back now. Soon, one way or another, London Water Works would be his.

The winter sun had long since set when Devlin’s carriage pulled up in front of the Thurlow residence. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional rattle of a passing hansom cab and the distant chiming of church bells.

Devlin stepped out, his breath forming small clouds in the frigid air. He straightened his coat and glanced up at the imposing townhouse. Light shone from a second-floor window he now knew to be her study. Good . She was still awake.

He rapped sharply on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet street. After a moment, it creaked open, revealing a nervous maid.

“I’m here to see Mrs Thurlow,” Devlin said, his tone brooking no argument. “It’s a matter of utmost urgency.”

The maid hesitated, clearly torn between her duty to her mistress and the forceful presence of the man before her. “I’m not sure if the mistress is receiving visitors at this hour, sir.”

“Then I suggest you inform her that Devlin Elmstone is here, and that it concerns business affairs of utmost importance,” he replied, his voice low and firm.

The maid’s eyes widened, and she quickly ushered him into the foyer before scurrying up the stairs. Devlin stood in the dim light, taking in his surroundings. The house was well-appointed but not ostentatious—much like the woman’s practical nature, he supposed.

Footsteps on the stairs drew his attention. Caroline appeared, wrapped in a deep blue dressing gown, her hair loose around her shoulders. A jolt of awareness went through his body seeing her thus again, but he succeeded in ignoring it. Despite the late hour and her obvious surprise, she carried herself with dignity.

“Mr Elmstone,” she said, her voice cool. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Devlin met her gaze steadily. His tone was formal, aware of a few servants who had gathered to defend their mistress if necessary. “I apologise for the late hour, Mrs Thurlow, but I’ve come across some information that I believe you’ll find most interesting.”

A flicker of alarm passed across Caroline’s face. “Very well,” she said after a moment. “We can speak in my study.”

She led the way up the stairs, Devlin following close behind, averting his gaze from her derriere. He needed all his wits about him.

The study was warm and inviting with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a crackling fire in the grate. Caroline took a seat behind her desk, appearing every inch as authoritative as any man, gesturing for Devlin to sit opposite her.

“Now, Mr Elmstone,” she said, folding her hands on the desk, one finger tapping quietly. “What is so urgent that it couldn’t wait until a more appropriate hour?”

“I’ve been reviewing some fascinating documents regarding the industrial district contract.” He withdrew a familiar paper from his coat pocket. “Your work, I believe?”

Caroline’s finger stilled. “The contract was properly executed.”

“Oh, indeed.” He slid the telegram across the desk. “I had an expert assess the signature which is deemed adequate. The way the ‘w’ connects, the flare of the ‘t’. Almost perfect. But replicating the slight tremor in the ‘h’ is more difficult, if not impossible.”

Caroline’s fingers clenched the telegram. “If you intend to ruin me, please do so directly. I have early morning appointments.”

“Ruin you?” He laughed softly. “Caroline, if I wanted to destroy you, I’d have taken this to the authorities already.” He circled her desk, moving closer. “No, I have a different proposition in mind.”

“Of course you do.” She held her ground as he approached. “What’s your price for silence?”

He leaned against the desk beside her. “Marriage.”

The word hung in the air between them. Caroline stared at him, searching for signs of mockery. “You can’t be serious.”

“Entirely.” He crossed his arms. “Think about it logically. You need protection, not just from this forgery, but from Hampton’s machinations and society’s judgement. I need your brilliant mind and those patents you hold. Marriage solves everything.”

“It solves nothing.” She pushed her chair away from him. “You’d own me completely. My work, my patents, my future innovations. All legally yours.”

“You think I’d suppress your genius? Cage it?” He moved behind her, his voice dropping lower. “I want a partner, Caroline. Someone to build an empire with. Everything in your name would stay in your name.”

She turned to face him. “Until you tire of me? Change your mind? Find a mistress like Edward did?”

“I am not Edward.” His voice hardened. “I don’t abandon what’s mine.”

“I am not yours,” she spat as she shot up to her feet. “And I never will be. Find some other woman to collect like one of your business assets.”

His expression darkened. “Consider my offer carefully, Caroline. You may find your options more limited than you realise.”

She turned to face him, her eyes blazing with contempt. “And if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll be forced to protect my business interests.” He picked up the telegram. “I’d invalidate your patent, claim you forged Edward’s signature, then buy London Water Works for a penny.”

“You are despicable!” She paced the study like a caged animal. “Then why not choose that option? It would certainly be more lucrative.”

One corner of his mouth lifted to a smile. “I’m a visionary. I want your genius, reap the benefits for years to come.”

“I shall refuse to do your bidding!”

“I don’t think so. It’s in your blood, this relentless need to innovate, fix.”

“So it’s either marriage or ruin? Not much of a choice.”

“There’s always a choice.” He stepped closer as she moved away from him. “The question is, which fate frightens you more? Poverty or being bound to me?”

“Perhaps there’s a third option.” Her voice shook.

“There isn’t. Not for me.”

“Why not a business partnership between our companies?”

“That’s no longer an option. I can’t risk you obtaining a husband.” His eyes sparkled as he smiled sweetly. “Say yes. Let me protect you. Let me give you the freedom to create without fear.”

“Freedom?” She laughed bitterly. “Through marriage to a man who’s blackmailing me?”

“Through partnership with a man who sees your true worth.” He caught her hand and stroked her palm with his thumb. “Who wants everything you are—the calculating strategist, the passionate woman who tied me to her bed.”

Heat flooded her cheeks at the memory. “You’re a cur.”

“And you’re running out of options.” His fingers tightened on hers. “Hampton is ready to sign over her shares and grows more desperate by the day to fill her coffers. How long before I push you out of your own company without a shilling of compensation? You know I’m capable.”

Caroline snatched her hand away. “You blackguard!”

“You have until tomorrow evening.” He turned away, gathering his thoughts to be all business again, to push away the guilt that threatened to weaken his resolve. “I’ll have the marriage contract drawn up. You can review the terms then.”

“How romantic,” she spat.

He smiled innocently. “Oh, definitely more so than your late husband had been, I assure you. But first, you must be mine.” He walked toward the door, but her voice stopped him.

“And if I agree? What guarantee do I have that you’ll keep your word about my patents?”

“The same guarantee I have that you won’t poison me in my sleep.” His eyes held hers, reading fury and fear in them. He gentled his voice. “Imagine what we could create together. Trust, Caroline. It’s time we both learned how.”

He left Caroline with her thoughts as his heels clicked on the wooden floor. He released a sigh. Marriage to a woman like Caroline could mean salvation or damnation. The trouble was, he couldn’t tell if they were one and the same.