***
The following morning he called on Lord Ashendon. The butler ushered him into the library, where he found Lord and Lady Ashendon sitting together on a sofa. Always in each other’s pockets, those two. Hart couldn’t understand it. Ashendon seemed like a sensible man.
Ashendon rose, and after greetings were exchanged, said to the butler, “Fetch my secretary, will you, and ask Lady George to come down please, Burton.”
Hart blinked. “I thought we were to discuss settlements.”
Ashendon nodded. “Yes. George wishes to take part in the discussion.”
Hart frowned. “The bride? Sitting in on settlement discussions? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“George is different.” Ashendon turned and helped his heavily pregnant wife to rise.
Lady Ashendon paused as she passed Hart and laid a hand on his arm. “Please don’t take offense, your grace,” she said quietly. “Until my husband brought her into the family fold, George had little reason to trust the men in her life.”
Hart stiffened at the implied criticism.
She gave him a long, thoughtful look. “You told Aunt Agatha you wanted an independent woman. In George, you have one. Do not now complain of it. George, beneath the prickly surface, is an utter darling. Whether or not you ever see that side of her will be up to you.”
Hart made no response. Utter darling, was she? He’d seen no evidence of that. He had, however, experienced the wildcat in her, and that, to his bemusement, he rather liked.
Lady Georgiana entered the room with that confident leggy stride that never failed to cause his body to sit up and take notice. She was dressed in a slate-colored dress that was halfway between gray and blue. Edged with claret piping and worn under a claret-colored spencer, it was plain but stylish. Not for her the frills and flourishes most young ladies affected.
The color of her dress highlighted her eyes. The color of her spencer drew attention to her lush, ripe mouth; and the way it clung, framing her breasts... It was a garment meant to enhance a woman’s charms, rather than keep her warm.
It more than warmed him.
Hart averted his gaze. He needed all his wits about him. Settlements were far-ranging legal agreements, and Ashendon and his niece were sure to drive a hard bargain.
George glanced at the corner where Ashendon’s secretary had settled himself unobtrusively. “You didn’t bring your secretary?” she asked.
“No, I don’t have—” Hart broke off, remembering just in time that he was supposed to have an overeager secretary who sent notices of betrothals to newspapers. “He’s occupied on another endeavor, at one of my estates.”
She shrugged, seated herself and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Shall we start then? I’ve made a list.”
For some reason, that annoyed him. He tried to tell himself that it was not unreasonable for a woman to ensure her marriage settlements were adequate, but, damn it, what did she think he was? Some kind of miserly penny-pinch? He’d been more than generous when preparing to marry Lady Rose.
Besides, settlements were men’s business. She was passing from the protection of her uncle to the protection of her husband. To challenge that was to impugn his honor. He took good care of what was his.
She began. “I have an inheritance coming to me when Iturn twenty-five. I wish it to remain mine, even after marriage.” She flung him a challenging look.
“I agree,” he said curtly. What interest did he have in her paltry inheritance? “We will set up a trust—”
“No, I will have sole control over it. I won’t have trustees telling me what I can and can’t do with my own money.”
Hart glanced at Ashendon, and shrugged. If that’s how she wanted it...
Ashendon made a note. In the corner, his secretary did the same, no doubt putting it into legal language.
“You will also make me an allowance.”
“Naturally.” His voice was icy. Did she think he intended to keep her in penury?
She named a sum that made Hart blink. It was far too modest. Women by nature were rapacious creatures, out for all they can get. So what was she up to?
He said nothing, however, just gave Ashendon an indifferent nod. Ashendon noted it down.
“The duke will give me a house in the country—consulting with me as to the choice. The house is to be wholly mine—title and deed.”
