Page 66 of The Study of Seduction

Except that the event they were actually heading to was private, and he could do as he wished with her, marriage settlement or no. The part of the document about their consummation was hardly something that could be enforced, after all. Really just a request.

“I’ve something to tell you.” Edwin looked out the window at the bustling streets. “You’re probably wondering why I didn’t go visit Durand before we left town, to inform him of our marriage.”

She didn’t want to lie, so she said nothing as she removed her hat, which was too large for comfort even in the spacious confines of Edwin’s carriage.

“As it turns out,” he went on, “there was no need. While you were packing, he came by to talk to you. He couldn’t believe we had wed. I made it clear that we had. And then I kicked him out of Warren’s town house.”

“I see.” Thank heaven Edwin had told her about the incident. At least he wasn’t trying to shield her from everything. This marriage might eventually prove manageable after all.

Should she continue to pretend not to have known about the count’s visit? No, there were secrets enough between them already. “Actually, I wasn’t sure if I should mention it, but I did overhear the end of your . . . discussion.”

His gaze shot to her. “So you know that he made some idle threats.”

“They didn’t sound so idle to me.”

The muscles of his jaw tautened. “I can handle Durand.”

“You shouldn’t have to.” She concentrated on folding her veil about her hat. “It disturbs me that you are risking so much because of me.”

“Thatis what you gleaned from my discussion with Durand?”

“Of course. He’s clearly determined to make things difficult for you, and considering that all you did was step in to defend me, it hardly seems fair.”

He shook his head ruefully. “You’re remarkable, Clarissa.”

That startled her. “Are you being sarcastic?”

“Certainly not. Here you are, being dogged by that arse Durand, yet you worry over what he’ll do tome, a grown man who can take care of himself. By now most women would be weeping and wringing their hands, or worse yet, falling for his handsome appearance without seeing the unsettled mind behind it.”

Edwin leaned forward. “But you saw him for what he was almost from the very beginning. And despite knowing that something wasn’t quite right about the man, you stood up to him. You refused to let him cow you, even when he frightened you. You’re a very brave woman.”

Such effusive words of praise coming from Edwin made her a tiny bit wary. “Are you trying to managemenow, Lord Blakeborough?”

He smiled. “Is that even possible?”

“No,” she said frankly. “But I suppose it would be intriguing to watch you try.”

“Is it so hard to believe that I could genuinely admire you, on occasion?”

“Yes, it is. I’ve spent years hearing you lecture me. Why, you couldn’t even refrain from chiding me for one whole night.”

“Ah, yes, that reminds me. I owe you a prize for winning our wager.” He drew a middling-size box from beneath the seat and held it out to her. “Open it.”

The wager. She’d forgotten all about it until now. “Is it what I requested?” After removing her gloves, she took the box from him.

“Open it and see.”

She did as he bade to find something encased in velvet inside. Once she parted the folds of fabric, she caught her breath.

The figurine lying there was about eight inches high and three inches wide. Blond curls peeped from beneath an enormous hat, and the lady—for itwasa lady, very theatrically dressed in breeches and a waistcoat that failed to hide her womanly figure—was affixed to a box that had a windup key.

“An automaton!” she exclaimed.

He smiled. “I always pay my debts.”

“But is it one you made yourself?”

“Just as you requested.”