The Seduction (Notorious 1)
He clenched his jaw at the irony. His Hellfire colleagues would laugh uproariously to see the wicked Lord Sin with trembling knees. But this situation was completely alien to him. In his long and licentious career, he had put propositions to numerous women, but never had he contemplated any step this serious.
As if sensing his presence, Vanessa looked up from her book. “Did you want me for something?”
Yes, he thought. I want you, more than I’ve ever wanted any woman.
Slowly Damien entered the room. Halting a short distance from her, he cleared his throat. “I have a proposal to put to you.”
“Yes?”
His cravat felt too tight. He walked over to the mantel and gazed down at the empty hearth. “A proposal… literally. I would like to make you a formal offer of marriage.”
The silence that followed was total.
When he realized she didn’t mean to answer, Damien glanced over his shoulder. Vanessa had gone pale.
“Why?” she finally murmured.
This was not the reaction he’d expected or hoped for. She looked stunned… and wary.
“Why?” he repeated absently.
“Why would you offer me marriage when your planned revenge is proceeding so smoothly?”
Because it isn’t proceeding smoo
thly at all. “Because it is a logical solution to your current difficulty. You desire a wealthy patron, and I am wealthy enough to fill the position.”
Her eyes were as dark as a moonlit ocean, but far more troubled. “I married for wealth once, and it proved a disaster.”
“I hardly think the situation is comparable.”
“No, I suppose not.” Distractedly she set down her book. “I understand the financial advantages our marriage would provide me, but that doesn’t explain why you would wish to wed.”
“Call it a crisis of conscience.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I was wrong to insist you become my mistress. This is a way for me to make amends.”
“You mean to withdraw from our agreement? To claim the family estates my brother lost to you?”
“No, that is not what I mean,” Damien returned with an edge of impatience. His heart twisted at the knowledge she could think him capable of being that underhanded. Moreover, he had earned her distrust. “You’ve fulfilled our bargain more than adequately.”
“Then why do you feel you must make amends?”
“I’ve come to realize how untenable the situation is that I’ve put you in. Truthfully, it disturbs me to think I initiated your foray into prostitution. In reparation I’m prepared to offer you the protection of my name and fortune.”
She studied him for a long moment. “You are proposing to me because of guilt? I won’t fetter you to me out of guilt, Damien.”
His mouth curved in a humorless smile. “Guilt is as good a reason to wed as any.”
Her dark eyes remained steady. “For me, it isn’t.” She took a deep breath. “In circumstances such as these, my lord, I believe the proper etiquette is to express gratitude. So I will. I am honored and flattered by your generous offer, but I must politely decline.”
Damien was glad he was so skilled at shielding his expressions, for it allowed him to conceal the turmoil he felt. “Am I allowed an explanation for your refusal?”
“A marriage between us would never work.”
“I try not to be more than normally obtuse, but I fail to understand why it wouldn’t.”