The Accidental Countess (The Aristocrat Diaries 3)

“Well, I benefit, too,” I said. I was glad we could speak freely—Christopher might have been the only household staff member to know the truth, but it meant that I wasn’t quite so alone.

“Your parents benefit,” he pointed out kindly. “I don’t see a single thing you gain from this agreement.”

“The hotel is my inheritance. My sister’s, too. If there’s no hotel, there’s nothing.”

“And when Matthew is a stakeholder?”

“It’s all taken care of in the contract.”

Really, I gained a great deal from this, even if it didn’t seem that way right now.

And it didn’t seem that way at all, from where I was sitting.

“Of course it is,” Christopher said.

I paused, putting down the pen. “Christopher, I get the impression you don’t approve.”

He unscrewed an empty jar and picked up the cayenne pepper pot. “I… do not believe it’s appropriate for me to share my opinion of the situation with you.”

“I’m asking you. It’s quite obvious you don’t agree with the decision we’ve made, and I shan’t hold it against you if I don’t like what I hear.”

He tapped the last of the cayenne pepper into the jar and, after putting the empty pot down, sighed. He planted his hands on the countertop and looked over at me. “No, I do not agree with what you’ve done. Perhaps it’s my age, but I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe it’s something you enter if, and only if, you have the intention to spend the rest of your life with the person you’re marrying. The two of you have no intention of doing that, so I admit to finding myself not agreeing with your actions.”

“And that’s okay.” I smiled, reaching over to gently touch his hand. “That’s why it’s a secret, Christopher. I… have no desire to be married for real,” I said. “It’s never been something I’ve particularly wanted, despite what I might have told my friends and family. I’ve never understood the need to be bound to another person for the rest of one’s life.”

“It’s not that bad. Especially if you find a spouse who can cook, like my Elin does.”

I had yet to meet his wife, but I knew they both resided in a cottage on the estate. He’d spoken so highly of her that I hoped I’d get a chance to soon.

“And children?” Christopher said after a moment, resuming his spice organising. “That’s part of the deal, is it not?”

I nodded. “I admit that it’s not something I’d ever given a great deal of thought to,” I replied slowly. “I was very much of the mind that if it happened, it happened, and if not, then that was fine, too.”

“Now you have no choice.” He eyed me. “Does that not bother you?”

“You ask me like I went into this blindfolded, tied to a chair, and forced into handing my kidney over on the black market.” I smiled. “No, it doesn’t bother me. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I look forwards to it. I’m at a place in my life where I feel the timing is right—not right now, not while everything has changed so drastically for me, but soon. Overall, I’m quite lucky with the situation I’m in.”

“Lucky? Forgive me, my dear, but we’re discussing a marriage you intend to dissolve within the next five years, potentially with two children in your arms. How is that remotely lucky?”

I grinned. “Because there’s a contract that says Matthew has to pay up either way. He’s got no chance of being a deadbeat.”

Christopher pressed his fingers to his temples, but his shoulders shook, and I knew he was laughing along with me.

Hey.

A girl had to take her kicks where she could get them.

CHAPTER NINE

EVA

The Earl and Countess of Anglesey are spending time immediately after their marriage at their estate on the island, Menai Castle, or Castell Menai in Welsh, while the Earl oversees the opening of his new hotel, The Heron Hotel, in Beaumaris.

The new Countess will clearly find herself with some free time and will enjoy the sights the Isle of Anglesey has to offer. We’re told she’s a talented artist, so perhaps we will be lucky enough to view some of her work in the gallery in the part of the estate that’s open to the public.

No doubt that Menai Castle will be busier than ever as people try to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the island’s illustrious nobility.

“Oh, pish,” I said, closing the tab on my browser. “What a load of bollocks.”

“I told you to stop Googling yourself,” Matthew said, appearing out of nowhere with two glasses of wine in his hands.

“Har, har, har,” I shot back, taking one of the glasses. “Thank you. Aren’t you a real comedian?”

“I expect Venue Cymru in Llandudno to call me any moment for my famous stand-up routine.” Matthew smiled and sat down on the sofa opposite me. “What were you reading?”