“If you don’t mind,” Austin cut in, leaning against the door frame. “I would like to get on with my meeting with Mr. Latrice.”
The lady—Lavender—whirled to face him with a gasp. Looking at her full on stole Austin’s breath for a moment. Her chocolate brown eyes were vivid with emotions, surprise and then confusion and then annoyance washing over her face in such clarity that Austin doubted she was capable of hiding her thoughts.
“Who are you?” With that book still clutched to her chest, she approached him, looking him up and down. Unlike the butler, she only looked curious rather than uptight. “How did you get in here?”
Austin tilted his head at her, surprised at himself for nearly responding. Then he met Vincent’s eyes over her head. “Shall we?”
“My lord, I did not expect to hear from you so soon.” The distress that had consumed Vincent before was gone, a smile on his face. “Come, come. Have a seat. Let me pour you a drink.”
“But Vincent—”
“Lavender, we can continue this conversation another time. And I promise you, when that time comes, I shall answer all your questions, all right?” Vincent approached her, ushering her towards the door.
Lavender pouted, looking back and forth between Austin and Vincent. She looked just about ready to argue but then Vincent said, “Not in front of guests, Lav. Or have you forgotten your lessons?”
She thinned her lips at that, narrowing her eyes at Vincent. For a moment, Austin was certain that she would continue to argue. He was oddly looking forward to it.
But then she sighed heavily, sending a scathing look in Austin’s direction. Up close, she was far smaller than him and yet she glared him down as if she were twice his size. “I hope you know that I find it quite rude of you to interrupt another’s conversation in that manner.”
Austin tilted his head to the side, his irritation mounting. This had already gone on for much longer than he cared for. “I do not care what you think.”
“That comes as no surprise to me, considering your propensity for impudence, sir,” she shot back without a second of hesitation, taking Austin by surprise. “But I’ll have you know that the only reason I am leaving is because I have better things to do than waste time in your presence. I have important matters to deal with, like the ending of my book. But I’m sure you would know nothing about that.”
Austin frowned at that. Did she just imply that he could not read?
Before he could think of a reply, Vincent stepped in between them with a sheepish grin. “Please do not mind her. She is quite used to getting what she wants. Lavender, please leave.”
Her cheeks grew red, her shoulders rigid with mounting tension. Vincent grasped both her shoulders and forcefully guided her out the door. She didn’t let up her glare however, burning holes into Austin until the door closed in her face.
Austin let out a breath, raking a hand through his hair. “Let us get this over with, Mr. Latrice. I have come here regarding your…contract. Or whatever you deem this to be.” He pulled out the folded piece of paper and rested it on a mantle nearby. “In it, you state that you wish for me to marry your sister, but surely you cannot be serious.”
Vincent faced him with a gleam in his eye. “It is exactly as it says, my lord. I wish for you to marry my sister, Lavender by the end of the Season.”
Chapter Two
Austin had to sit down. He usually considered himself a strong man, mentally and physically. Capable of handling the toughest situations he found himself in. But Vincent Latrice’s words had a way of bringing home the reality of what he was about to get himself into and he had the uncomfortable notion that the ground was swaying under his feet.
He sank into the armchair next to the hearth, folding his fingers in front of him. Lavender Latrice. Mr. Vincent Latrice, one of the wealthiest men in England, wanted to marry his sister off to a bastard son of the late Earl of Derby. How mirthful.
“Why?” was Austin’s first word after a minute of silent contemplation.
Vincent made his way over to the sideboard and began pouring two glasses of brandy. “It is simple, my lord. Lavender is now ten-and-eight years old. It is time for her to be married.”
“But why me? You approached me in the dead of night at an illegal fighting ring to all but beg me to consider the offer. Why?”
Vincent’s face gave nothing away as he approached. Austin wondered if this was his usual demeanor when working. “Before I answer your question, Lord Derby, I take it you are considering saying yes?”
Austin hesitated, then nodded. “I am. For my own personal reasons. But I need to be certain that I am not walking into a trap.”
“I would have no reason to trap you, my lord.”
“That is what someone who wishes to trap me would like for me to believe.”
Vincent chuckled. He chose the armchair next to Austin, sitting in a familiar manner that instantly made Austin uncomfortable. He took the glass of brandy Vincent offered to him and immediately set it aside.
Vincent raised a brow at that but chose not to comment. Instead, he said, “Firstly, I appreciate your consideration. Considering the fact that your first meeting with my sister did notgo as I anticipated, I was almost certain that you would reject me outright.”
“That option is still on the table,” Austin stated.
