Marquess of Menace (Lords of Scandal 10)

Bash made a choking sound, but Dylan grinned. “It’s been a long day. Everyone is tired.”

Bash shook his head. “The world has turned upside down. I was a man who cared about nothing and no one because I never took a thing seriously. Now, I am the enforcer and Menace is the voice of calm reason?”

That made everyone laugh.

They finished the ride in silence and then stepped inside only to find the other three Carrington sisters anxiously awaiting their arrival.

It took over an hour to update her sisters and then finally, Dylan found himself sitting across from Eliza with only Isabella tucked into the corner as a chaperone. Eliza’s sister was doing a fine job of paying rapt attention to her embroidery, the swish of her needle poking through the fabric the only sound filling the silence.

Eliza rolled her eyes but said nothing about the addition.

He cleared his throat. He’d been waiting for this meeting all night and yet, he hadn’t a clue where to begin.

Eliza scooted to the edge of her chair. She still wore a shirt, jacket, and trousers, and Dylan had the distinct urge to pull her into his lap without the hindrance of skirts and petticoats.

“About your proposal.” She folded her hands. “Are we agreed to amend the clause about intimacy?”

Isabella’s needle stopped, but Eliza kept her gaze fixed on his.

Dylan let out a long breath. He should keep his distance. If they were going to lead separate lives, they shouldn’t get so intimately involved. But then again, as he stared at her, he knew he’d never be able to keep his hands off her when she was ensconced under his roof.

“That plan presents several problems, which I’ve already stated.” He clenched his jaw. This conversation was proving difficult with an audience. He’d like to just spell every point out. “You could become pregnant. I could…” His teeth ground together. I could fall in love. He knew there were ways to avoid Eliza carrying his child, such as the use of French Letters. But feelings, that was a more difficult obstacle to overcome.

His chest tightened as he stared at her.

But her smile was soft. “We’ll deal with each challenge as it comes. Just like we did today.” She reached out and clasped his hand. “I find we make a rather excellent team.”

He gave a single nod. They did make a good team. But, considering what he’d just realized, being a team didn’t seem nearly enough.

He wanted her heart.

And he’d proposed a match of convenience. He shook his head, more to himself. This was why he always failed. Because now he’d gone and trapped himself into a match of unrequited love.

A day ago, she hadn’t wished to marry him at all. That almost seemed better. At least then he’d have a chance to recover.

But now he’d be tied to a woman who saw him as a means to an end.

A chance to exercise her passion. Well, that had its perks.

But also, an opportunity to taste freedom. He was about to commit to a woman, a woman whom he’d fallen in love with, whose goal was to climb on a ship and leave him behind.

Damn he was a fool. Always.

“So…” She pressed her lips together. “It’s decided then. We’ll marry?”

“Yes. It’s decided.” He let go of her hand. He’d marry her. What else could he do? She needed him and… his heart twisted. This was going to hurt.

Chapter Thirteen

Eliza sat in the dark carriage listening for the subtle sound of someone approaching. She’d been sitting in the dark and cold for a quarter hour at least.

She needed to have a private conversation with Dylan and that wasn’t going to happen in Bash and Isabella’s home.

And much to her dismay, she didn’t even know where Dylan lived.

Odd, considering she’d just agreed to live there too.

But that left her with few options for finding him alone.