And his proposal . . .
While certainly not romantic and a little bit too late, her heart had still burst into a thousand fluttering butterflies. Even though it had only been a courtesy proposal, she had still felt a spark of excitement.
Leeds might not love her, and she certainly didn’t hold all that much affection for him, but he would make a worthy husband.
In any event, she had given him an official yes. She would never go back on her word.Andshe even managed to get a startled look from him. Anything that ruffled that man’s composure could be considered a treat.
He had almost looked as stunned as she had felt at the time. But as her words settled between them, Harriet had known in her bones that she’d made the right decision. She would marry Leeds and peel back every layer of him until he was stripped utterly bare before her. Her victory in that would have the sweet tang of honey.
“If fact,” Leonora went on, “I cannot believe I am sitting in a bedchamber with you in that man’s house. He isso...dreamlike.”
“He is just a man.”
“What are you talking about? He is notjusta man.” Lenora smiled, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. “Besides the fact that he is big, tall, and has the face of a god, he is anunmarriedman. We are unmarried ladies. You must admit, there’s a certain thrill in it all.”
Well, putting it that way, Harriet supposed she could agree, but she hadn’t thought about that part of it as much as that from tomorrow onward this would be her new home. Her forever home.
However, she still didn’t plan on staying alone in the house of her betrothed on the night before their wedding. Leonora was right—it wouldn’t be seemly. And a part of her still didn’tentirely trust the man. It would be foolish to do so that quickly, especially after he’d kissed her in her own bedchamber and clasped her hand last night! The other part of her... well, the other part needed a friend.
“Do not get too excited. This is not a romantic union.”
Leonora’s wide eyes shot her a searching look. “What do you mean?”
“I mean this is anarrangedmarriage.”
“Well, it’s certainly not your average arranged marriage if you are living with your husband-to-bebeforeyou marry.”
“It’s complicated.” She had thought of all the ways a marriage could be positioned. Just because they were married, didn’t mean they had tobetogether. Perhaps she ought to rephrase it. “Think of it rather as a marriage of convenience.”
“Doesheknow that?”
“He’ll find out soon enough. Being wed does not mean we shall be together in the sense of man and wife. As I’m still not sure of his motives, I shall give him nothing except my name next to his in a register.”
“You can still run away. I shall help you any way I can.”
“I already tried that avenue.” Harriet smoothed out the pillow on her lap. “Besides, I’ve already given my word. I won’t break it.”
“Then you have made up your mind?”
Harriet nodded. “I shall gradually uncover each one of the secrets he is keeping from me.”
Leonora arched a brow. “Won’t that just make you miserable? You’ve always held out hope for a love match.”
Harriet smiled. “On the contrary, I believe it shall bring me great delight. As for love... I can read books for love.”
Leonora shook her head. “Always the true optimist. Have you thought about how to make him reveal his secrets to you?” Leonora asked thoughtfully.
“I suppose I shall have to first discover his motive for marrying me, though I have no idea how. It’s not like he’ll admit to his intentions.”
A mischievous glint entered Leonora’s eye. “Then you shall have to lure it from his lips.”
Harriet gave her friend a thoughtful glance. “You have some advice to impart?”
Her friend shrugged. “How have women across the ages lured men to the brink of ruin?”
“How?”
A loud bubble of laughter escaped Leonora. “Temptation. Seduction. Jealousy.”
