The Offer (Baron 2)

“You wouldn’t dare call my behavior into question, my lord.”

“What I would say, ma’am, is that my future wife doesn’t appear to be blessed with relatives who care for her, protect her, and, naturally, take her side. However, I’m more concerned now with society’s behavior. I think that we can, together, turn off most of the gossip. Within a month there will be a new and more diverting scandal that will make everyone forget everything.”

Lady Barresford’s mighty bosom was heaving. She was angry and she allowed her anger full rein. “That little creature is a disgrace to the Eversleighs and to the Barresfords. Lies she told me, all lies. Who could believe such absurd tales as she told?”

“Anyone who knows her even slightly would believe her. She doesn’t lie. However, it’s immaterial to me whether or not you believe her or me. What is important, however, is her acceptance by society, as my wife.”

Lady Barresford said with a good deal of satisfaction, “No one with any decency will ever recognize her again. As for you, my lord, were I you, I should seriously wonder how many men she’s been with before you marry her.”

Phillip pictured her wrinkled throat between his hands. But telling her what he thought of her wasn’t the best approach. He would save that for a special treat at a future date. But his voice was very hard as he said, “Listen to me, ma’am, I have had enough of your tiresome venom. You’re speaking of your niece and my betrothed. You will now oblige me by sitting down and listening to what I have to say.”

Lady Barresford didn’t want to sit. She wanted to rant, to tell him how Sabrina had deceived her, but the viscount looked determined. It occurred to her then that perhaps it would be better if Sabrina could be rehabilitated. Surely it would reflect on her if Sabrina was tossed out of London. She sat down.

“Here is what’s going to happen, ma’am. Sabrina and I will be married here in a small ceremony on Saturday. I will return her to you tomorrow and you will treat her with the respect she deserves.”

“Let her back into my house? That’s ridiculous. Why, look at all the little wretch has done to me! If my reputation weren’t so excellent, her actions could have brought me low.”

Phillip wanted to strangle her, but he smiled instead. “In short, ma’am, we could have a scandal that perhaps could touch you, bring you low, just as you said. Would it not be preferable to scotch all gossip now? Can you think of a better solution than to have Sabrina safely wed to me? I assure you that my friends are at this moment putting a stop to most of the gossip-mongering. You won’t have to fear for your position in society, ma’am, if you give in now.

“However, let me add, that if forced, I would make a formidable enemy, as would my friends.” He’d spoken so very quietly that it took her a moment to take in what he’d said.

She rose and took several stalking steps about the room. “You don’t understand, young man. My friends are already well aware of my feelings. They sympathize with me. They have commingled their tears with mine. They would continue to sympathize. They would stick by me. They would continue to hold me in high esteem.”

Both of them knew, naturally, that a true friend was as scarce as a sunny day in January and that the likelihood was that her dear friends were probably sniggering behind their hands, just out of her hearing. “Why don’t you do this: inform your friends that new facts have come to light and your niece is quite innocent. Indeed, she has been much maligned, and you, because you are her aunt and a fair and just woman, wish to be the first to right all the wrongs done to her. This should start a fresh spate of tears among your friends, don’t you think?”

“But a wedding on Saturday, it’s impossible.”

“It can be done. Do you agree?”

He thought he heard her curse under her breath. He merely waited. He looked down at his fingernails. Finally, she said, “Very well, I will do it, but it won’t be easy. If she isn’t accepted,

you will have no one to blame but yourself.”

“She will be accepted. I count on your striving your best to see that it happens. Now, would you like to have my secretary’s services?”

She shook her head absently, and Phillip knew that she was already planning the necessary arrangements. He nodded. “I’ll bring Sabrina to you tomorrow morning. Remember, if her two days with you aren’t pleasant, you will answer to me. Ah, when circumstances dictate, ma’am, I can be a formidable enemy. Please don’t forget that.”

As he turned to take his leave, Lady Barresford said, “I hope you won’t regret your chivalry, my lord.”

He merely nodded. She stared at him a moment, then said, “What makes you so certain that the girl is telling the truth about Trevor?”

“I know Sabrina. I might also add that I’ve made the acquaintance of Trevor Eversleigh. I fear for the future of the Eversleigh name. He brings new meaning to the word revolting. Please don’t forget that Sabrina is now in my care. I bid you good day, my lady.”

29

“No one would ever believe you were a bride if it weren’t for that expensive gown the viscount provided for you.”

Sabrina turned away from the mirror. She looked worse than she had just the day before. “Phillip didn’t buy the gown, Aunt, I did.”

“It’s all one and the same for you now,” Lady Barresford said, fingering her own exquisitely fashioned silk gown. “The moment the vicar says you’re his wife, you won’t have a farthing. Since your dear grandfather is still too ill to be approached in the matter, I, of course, had my solicitors draw up a marriage contract. Your dowry is even larger than I had thought. As for you, all you have now is a husband, and one, I might add, who has many pleasant demands on his time.”

Sabrina was thinking about the shakily written letter a footman had delivered the previous evening from her grandfather. He had assured her that he would be well enough to greet her and her new husband in but a short time. He had not mentioned any of the less pleasant circumstances surrounding her sudden marriage. She wondered how much of it he knew. Her pleasure at his letter had carried her through until now. She turned at her aunt’s words. “When you speak of the viscount’s pleasant demands, you’re referring to his mistress?”

Lady Barresford snorted, not an edifying sound. “If indeed he has only one mistress, which is doubtful.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve given him his freedom to do whatever he pleases.”

“He doesn’t need your permission, my girl, to do anything he pleases. Let me tell you that Phillip Mercerault hasn’t led anything like a celibate life. It will be interesting to see if he parades his mistresses in front of your nose.”