Page 15 of The Phantom Duke

“And his patronage would free the orphanage from the need to rely on your father with his questionable motives,” Evelina put in.

“But we cannot send Maria into a house with a deformed and deranged husband!” Anna protested.

“He is not deranged,” Maria said, “and I question deformed too. He wears a mask, and he shirks the light, but he seems an able-bodied man. Very able.”

“Indeed?” Evelina said with a smile that made Maria blush.

“Indeed. Though he resembles a pirate. Wild and unpredictable,” Maria said.

She shuddered, hugging herself and hoping the others thought it was fear or disgust that seized her. Not desire.

I cannot be attracted to such a rough and dark man. A man who lives in twilight and is so… so…unusual. I am not an unusual person. Am I?

“If she is to accept his offer, it must be with clear terms,” Evelina said. “I will not allow him to take advantage of you.”

“Very well!” Theodora said with a snap. “Let us outline those terms.”

She had turned to the back leaf of the book and had her pencil poised to write.

“Marital relations,” she said with an eyebrow raised, “are there to be any?”

“No!” Anna exclaimed.

“Possibly,” Evelina said speculatively.

“I think not,” Maria said after a moment’s consideration.

“Duration. Are we willing to commit to a true marriage? Until death?”

“No,” Anna shook her head decisively.

“No,” Evelina agreed. “If it is to be a marriage of convenience to achieve certain objectives, then let those objectives define the boundaries. Once achieved, it can be ended amicably and quietly. Especially if it is not to be consummated.”

Theodora wrote another point.

“And our requirements for lending Maria’s name and hand to this duke in order to civilize and rehabilitate his name and house?”

“Willow Street must be safe and secure. A trust set aside for them that will make them independent,” Maria said firmly.

Theodora wrote.

“Anything else?” Evelina asked.

Maria opened her mouth, but then stopped herself from speaking.

Can I ask for it? Is it too much to ask? Too much to hope for?

“It seems to me that if you are to sacrifice so much, you should demand a high price,” Evelina said, as if she sensed Maria’s hesitation.

“There is no point entering this arrangement and then wishing you had asked for more,” Theodora put in.

“I want to adopt Gilbert,” Maria said. “He must live with us, and the duke must provide me with sufficient pin money to ensure that both of our needs are met.”

“To be left destitute when the marriage ends and both of you are thrown out of Winterleigh?” Evelina said.

“An allowance or a payment upon the dissolution of the marriage,” Theodora suggested, “so that you and Gilbert can set yourselves up somewhere and live quietly. He should acceptthat, as he will not want the end of the marriage to catch the public eye. It will undo everything.”

It was logical, and so characteristic of Theodora to come up with. Maria drew a deep breath, daring to consider asking for half of what her friends insisted she should demand.