Page 13 of The Devil’s Bargain (The Lovers’ Arch: Later in Life #2)
13
The Unwilling Bride
T he firm knock on Devlin’s office door had him drip ink on the pristine paper. He already knew who his visitor was by the rhythm of the knock which had graced his office several times in the past couple of months. He took a moment to suppress his irritation and school his features into polite interest before calling, “Enter.”
She swept in wearing a gown of deep purple silk that barely contained her abundant charms. “Mr Elmstone. I hope I’m not interrupting?”
Devlin watched Hampton perch on the edge of his desk, her skirts riding up to reveal a deliberate glimpse of ankle. The woman was as subtle as a circus performer, but he needed those shares.
“My dear Miss Hampton.” He let his eyes linger on her décolletage. The woman was vexing but lovely to look at. “I hope you’ve reconsidered my offer?”
“Perhaps.” She leaned forward, curling her golden curls around her finger. “Though I was hoping we might discuss more... creative forms of compensation.”
He stood, moving to pour them both brandy. “I’m intrigued.” Coming behind her, he placed the glass in her hand, letting his fingers brush hers. “What did you have in mind?”
“Marriage.” She tilted her head back to look up at him, exposing the length of her throat. “Think of it, Devlin. I could convince Caroline to sell hers, and you can have control over the company while I host parties on your behalf.”
“Marriage is quite a leap from our business negotiations.” He chuckled at the irony despite the aversion he felt as his hand settled on her shoulder. “Though I admit, the idea has... merit.”
“Has it?” Her voice took on a breathy quality.
“But first, the shares.” His fingers traced her collarbone. “Sign them over, and we can discuss more permanent arrangements.”
“Promise me.” She caught his hand. “Promise you’ll consider marriage once the shares are yours.”
Devlin smiled, letting her see what she wanted to see. “Melissa, with the thought of you in my bed, how could I consider anything else?”
“Then yes.” She pressed herself against him. “Yes, to everything.”
“Wonderful.” He brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I’ll have the papers drawn up immediately. Shall we say tomorrow morning? Best to conclude business early, leaving the afternoon free for... celebration.”
Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she stood. “We could start our celebration tonight.” She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Gently, he untangled her arms. “Business first. Pleasure second. It’s bad luck to blend the two.”
“Is it? All right. Until tomorrow then.” She reluctantly turned away and paused at the door. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, darling.”
After she left, Devlin poured himself another brandy, washing away the taste of her perfume. By this time tomorrow, he’d have Hampton’s shares and could proceed with his real plan. Caroline might resist marriage, but with proof of her forgery and control of Hampton’s half of the company, she’d have little choice.
He almost felt sorry for Hampton. Almost.
“One last item.” Caroline stood at the window of Devlin’s study, her spine rigid as a steel rod. The late hour lent an air of indecency to their meeting, though propriety was long past saving. “The marriage will exist on paper only. I won’t share your bed.”
Devlin paused in the act of pouring brandy. The negotiations thus far had been brisk, business like. Her continued control of patent development, separate financial accounts, freedom to pursue contracts independently. But this...
“No.” He set the crystal decanter down with deliberate care.
“I won’t be manipulated into your bed.” She turned from the window, moonlight silvering her profile. “You’ve forced this marriage through blackmail. Don’t expect me to warm to you like some besotted bride.”
“And what of an heir?”
“An heir?” She laughed. “I’m five and thirty. You shall have my patents, not my person.”
He moved toward her, watching her tense but hold her ground. “I must have both.”
“What you want is irrelevant.” Her voice remained steady despite their proximity. “These are my terms. A marriage of convenience only.”
“Unacceptable.” He caught a whiff of her subtle lavender scent, so different from Hampton’s cloying perfume. “I have certain... appetites. I won’t live like a monk while my wife sleeps in the next room.”
“Then find your satisfaction elsewhere, as Edward did.” The words seemed to cost her, her fingers clenching in her skirts. “I’m sure Miss Hampton would be happy to oblige.”
His hand shot out, catching her chin. “I want only what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours.” She met his gaze unflinchingly. “This is a business arrangement, nothing more.”
“Is it?” His thumb brushed her throat. “Shall we discuss what happened in your bedroom that night? How you responded when I kissed you?”
Colour flooded her cheeks, but her eyes were ice. “A momentary lapse in judgement.”
“One you shall repeat.” He released her, stepping back. “Frequently.”
“Then we have no agreement.” She moved toward the door.
“Wait.” His voice stopped her. “A compromise.”
She turned, wary. “I’m listening.”
“Three months. Give me three months to court you properly, as your husband. If by then you still wish for separate bedrooms...” He spread his hands. “I’ll respect your wishes.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I submit the evidence of forgery to the authorities tomorrow.” He kept his voice gentle despite the threat. “Your choice, Caroline. Three months of trying to resist me, or a lifetime in prison.”
She was silent for a long moment. “You’re a devil.”
“Yes.” He smiled. “But one who keeps his word. Do we have an agreement?”
“Three months only.” She lifted her chin. “And no force.”
“I never use force. I don’t need to.” His eyes held hers. “Only patience.”
“We’ll see.” She turned to leave, then paused. “What of Miss Hampton? She’s grown rather possessive of your attention.”
“Hampton’s shares will be mine by morning. After that, she’s irrelevant.”
Caroline’s eyes widened slightly. “You convinced her to sell?”
“Let’s say she’s under the impression that signing over her shares will lead to... other opportunities.”
“You seduced her.”
“I let her seduce herself.” He studied Caroline’s expression. “Jealous?”
“Concerned.” She met his gaze steadily. “That you’ll employ similar tactics with me.”
“No.” He moved closer, watching her swallow. “With you, I intend to be perfectly honest about my intentions.”
“And those are?”
“To possess you completely.” His voice dropped lower. “Mind, body, and soul.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “You’ll be disappointed.”
“Three months, Caroline.” He smiled, slow and confident. “We’ll see who’s disappointed.”
She left without responding, her skirts whispering with each step. Devlin watched her go, anticipation coursing through him. Three months to break down her walls, to turn duty into desire.
He’d won harder battles.
Hampton swept into Devlin’s study, her pink silk rustling with determined purpose. She placed the signed documents on his desk with a flourish. “There. My shares are yours. Now, about our future arrangements...”
Devlin examined the papers with careful attention, ignoring her expectant smile. After ensuring everything was in order, he withdrew a bank draft from his desk. “Your payment, as agreed. A very generous sum.”
“Oh, darling, you know I don’t care about the money.” She perched on his desk. “When shall we announce our engagement?”
“There will be no engagement, Miss Hampton.” His voice was silk over steel. “Our business is concluded.”
She stilled, her smile faltering. “But... you promised to consider marriage once I signed.”
“I considered it.” He leaned back in his chair, watching her face. “Briefly. The answer is no.”
“You scoundrel!” Colour flooded her cheeks. “You never intended to marry me at all, did you?”
“Come now.” He smiled warmly. “Surely, you cannot imagine us being happy together. We wouldn’t last a day without being disloyal.”
Hampton recoiled as if slapped. “How dare you!”
“You are a very wealthy woman now,” he cut in smoothly. “Free to do as you please. Travel. Shop in Paris. Perhaps even catch another wealthy man’s eye.”
“This is about her, isn’t it?” Hampton’s voice turned venomous. “That frigid widow with her patents and her precious filtration system. Well, let me tell you something about your brilliant Caroline—”
“Careful.” The warning in his tone made her falter. “Think very carefully about your next words, Miss Hampton. You’ve got what you wanted. I suggest you leave London, enjoy your newfound wealth, and forget any unfortunate grudges.”
“Forget?” She snatched up the bank draft and stood, trembling with rage. “Oh, I won’t forget this betrayal. And I’ll make sure she never sells you her shares.”
Devlin rose slowly, his height and presence suddenly filling the room. “Do not do anything foolish. You don’t want me as your enemy, Miss Hampton.”
She paled then shoved the bank draft into her reticule. Satisfied, he moved to open the door. “Good day, Miss Hampton. Do enjoy your wealth. Preferably far from London.”
Hampton gathered her skirts, fury and humiliation warring on her face. At the door, she paused. “This isn’t over.”
“Actually, it is. Your fortune awaits. I suggest you focus on that rather than revenge. It’s far more beneficial.”
After she stormed out, Devlin returned to his desk, examining the signed papers with relief. One obstacle down. Unlike Hampton, Caroline would prove a far more rewarding conquest.