CHAPTER SIX

The rain having stopped overnight, Daniel used the following morning to ride to Gloucester in order to hold two necessary conversations, one with his lawyer and the other with his bank. Neither was encouraging. Mr Longhope laid the quarterly figures before him and asked whether he expected the harvest to be a profitable one. The under-manager at the bank politely enquired when his lordship might be in a position to reduce, if not completely settle, his long-standing overdraft. Daniel answered both vaguely but without actually lying … and then took himself off to the tavern.

The first mug of ale convinced him that there was no point in dwelling on things he couldn’t change. Inevitably, the second brought to mind the fact that, later today, he would learn what figure Anna Hawthorne was prepared to offer for the collection. There was comfort in the certainty that she intended to offer something . But his nerves were already vibrating with tension caused by his fear of mishandling the ensuing negotiation. Not only had he no experience of bargaining – he had been brought up believing it something a gentleman just did not do . Now, however, he must do it and do it well – neither giving in too quickly nor over-playing his hand and risk ending up with nothing. In short, he would need to walk a very fine line.

It was a pity, he thought, that he would be facing Miss Hawthorne in her usual cool, brisk and wholly business-like persona rather than the impassioned woman he’d seen last evening. Just for a few minutes, she’d forgotten to be careful and let rip. The result had been both interesting and informative … and, in respect of her looks, surprising. Colour had bloomed in her cheeks and fire had blazed in the usually unremarkable eyes. There was, Daniel reflected, a whole other woman lurking inside the somewhat wooden fa?ade she chose to present to the world. And that woman would probably be a lot easier to deal with than the other.

Not for the first time, he wondered just how much she wanted the scent bottles. Was it really all to do with her late father? If so, it was possible – even likely – that she wanted them very badly indeed. He hoped she did. In that lay his best chance of success.

Abandoning the second mug of ale half finished, he left the tavern and set off home.

***

When they’d handled and listed the last of the scent bottles, Anna rose, stretched and said, ‘Well done, Sarah – and thank you. You’ve been a great help.’

‘It’s been a pleasure, Miss Hawthorne – a nice change from the usual routine.’

That’s one way of looking at it , thought Anna. But she said merely, ‘I would like to make an early start tomorrow. The rain has stopped but the roads may be hard going in places and I’d prefer not to have to put up at an inn somewhere.’

‘I’ll be packed and ready, ma’am,’ Sarah assured her. ‘Will you be speaking to his lordship this afternoon?’

‘Yes.’ Out of habit, she extracted just one of their many sheets of paper – one containing just three figures; the total cost of the late viscount’s purchases … and her own lowest and highest offers based on Mr Lowe’s advice. ‘You can pack everything else. As for the pieces, we’ll leave them where they are. If Lord Reculver wants them moved, doubtless he’ll give the necessary instructions.’

Conversation over luncheon was more than usually stilted, everyone busy wondering what the afternoon might bring. The dowager’s expression was speculative, Rebecca’s, faintly worried and the viscount’s, inscrutable. Hoping her own face was equally unreadable, Anna swallowed food without tasting it and said as little as possible. But finally the meal came to an end and, laying aside his napkin, his lordship rose, saying, ‘Well then, Miss Hawthorne. I suggest we retreat to the library and get down to business.’

‘By all means, sir,’ she agreed coolly, coming to her feet. And, with a slight curtsy for the Dowager, followed him from the room.

The library, into which she had not previously been invited, proved to be a shabbily comfortable room bearing every appearance of being one he used a great deal. The surface of a large, rather ugly desk was almost hidden beneath numerous neat stacks of correspondence and what appeared to be invoices. And the shelves lining the walls were full of books, none of which looked new or seemed to be arranged in any orderly fashion.

She expected the viscount to take what was clearly his usual seat at the desk but instead he led her to a small table flanked by a pair of chairs near the window and gestured for her to sit, saying, ‘This will be a new experience for me, Miss Hawthorne. My first time, in fact. I hope you intend to be gentle with me?’

The innuendo was clear enough to conjure up hazy images of the kind that had never invaded Anna’s mind before. She knew he’d done it deliberately; but combined with the closed door and quiet room, empty of everyone save themselves, it created a sudden and shocking sense of intimacy and made her intensely aware of the man sitting no more than three feet away, looking completely at his ease.

Feeling her colour rise, she said curtly, ‘Kid gloves, my lord? I doubt you need them.’ And swiftly, before he could say anything else to discompose her, ‘As I daresay you already know, your father’s investment in Hawthorne wares totalled one thousand three hundred and eighty-five pounds and seventeen shillings.’

Daniel’s heart gave a single, hard thump. This was more than he’d thought.

‘I wasn’t aware of that, no. Father wasn’t meticulous about keeping receipts.’ Like a good many other things, more’s the pity , he thought. But merely added, ‘Doubtless because he regarded the wares less as an investment than as gifts for my mother.’

‘Of course,’ replied Anna, suddenly aware of a foolish impulse to finish this quickly and escape from Lord Reculver’s unsettling company. ‘On behalf of Hawthorne’s, I am prepared to offer one thousand six hundred and fifty – which is roughly twenty percent above the original cost.’

He tilted his head as if thinking about it and let the silence linger.

After a minute or two, she said, ‘A fair return, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘A moderate one,’ he shrugged, forcing himself to appear lazily relaxed despite his racing pulse. ‘No more than that.’

She waited and, when he showed no sign of saying anything further, ‘You have a figure in mind?’

‘Perhaps.’ He smiled at her. ‘But it would hardly be sensible of me to share it with you, now would it?’

The smile, warm and inviting, had its usual effect … and Anna strongly suspected that his lordship knew exactly what that effect was. Gritting her teeth and doing her best to ignore it, she wondered how many other tricks he had in his arsenal. Not that he needed tricks with looks like that. Thick, lightly curling auburn hair, golden-brown eyes flecked with green … and as for those shoulders …

She stifled the thought as it bred another of monumentally stupid proportions from a fragment of yesterday’s conversation at luncheon.

‘And what of you, my lord? Have you no plans to marry?’

‘No. Why? Were you thinking of offering?’

Sternly bidding her mind back to the matter in hand and reminding herself that she’d always known he wouldn’t accept her opening gambit, she said, ‘Very well. One thousand seven hundred and fifty.’

The temptation to play safe and accept it was almost overwhelming. But Daniel forced himself to remain silent; to take a breath and listen to the tiny voice at the back of his mind which whispered that there was something odd here. He had expected this to take longer, had expected her to make him work for every improved offer … and for each increase to be a small one. Fifty pounds, rather than a hundred.

What is she doing? he asked himself. It’s as if she just wants to strike a deal and go. Does she? If so, it’s to my advantage – and an opportunity I can’t afford to waste. But why? Is she less experienced at this than she’d have me believe? Am I unnerving her? Or does she want the collection so badly she’ll pay any amount to get it?

Deciding to test the water, he crossed one leg over the other and said slowly, ‘Tempting, Miss Hawthorne … though not, I’m afraid, quite tempting enough. However, we seem to be making progress. Shall I ring for tea while we both take a moment or two to consider?’

She didn’t want tea. She wanted to buy the collection and go. She wanted to get out of this room because being alone with him was making her feel hot and doing odd things to her nerves. Worse still, it was making her think things she should not, under any circumstances, be thinking. And so, despite being aware that she was straying well outside Mr Lowe’s advised margins, she blurted, ‘Two thousand.’

Daniel’s breath leaked away. Two thousand pounds. Twice what he’d thought he might get. It wouldn’t solve all his problems or even come close … but it would at least ease the situation for a time. He should just say yes and have done with it. He wasn’t a gambler; he’d learned the hard way not to risk the little he had. So all he had to do was nod and agree.

Instead, he said, ‘Two thousand five hundred.’

Anna’s eyes flew to his and locked. Then she opened her mouth to say one thing and heard very different words come out.

‘Just how badly are you dipped, my lord?’

For an instant, they stared at each other in frozen silence. Then, turning scarlet, she said rapidly, ‘I beg your pardon. I had no business asking that.’

Somehow, Daniel managed to stifle his immediate and furious reaction.

‘No. You didn’t. But since you have … badly enough, Miss Hawthorne. As you must already know since I would not otherwise be haggling over my mother’s keepsakes.’ Then, with the slightest of shrugs and a chilly smile, he said with soft implacability, ‘Two thousand, five hundred … and we have an accord.’

Quite suddenly, Anna decided that, much as she wanted to get away from him before she said something even more potentially dangerous than she already had, she could not – must not – let him have it all his own way. Recalling the idea she’d had yesterday and straightening her spine, she said, ‘Two thousand two hundred.’

‘Two thousand four hundred,’ replied Daniel, counting on the fact that she wouldn’t lose the collection for what, to her, would be a paltry sum.

This time, she frowned and hesitated. Then she said firmly, ‘Two thousand three hundred, sir – and that is my final offer. Moreover, I am prepared to exhibit the collection with a notice stating Courtesy of the Dowager Viscountess Reculver – or some similar legend. The kind of thing seen in museums when artefacts are on permanent loan.’

Thrown off balance, Daniel said, ‘Why? Why would you do that?’

‘For your mother. It might help ease the situation.’ She hesitated and then added, ‘It might also suit you. Hawthorne’s would own the collection, of course … but there is no need for the world at large to know that.’

He’d certainly prefer that it didn’t. He’d prefer the world to remain unaware that the collection had ever belonged to his family at all . But the dratted female was right. Mother would like it and it would make the loss less painful for her. Also, two thousand three hundred already exceeded his most optimistic expectations. So he drew a long, slow breath and, holding out his hand, said, ‘Very well, Miss Hawthorne. I accept. Two thousand, three hundred it is.’

It had never occurred to her that she would need to shake his hand. Ladies didn’t. He knew that as well as she did. But in this scenario, she wasn’t a lady, was she? She was concluding a business deal on behalf of the manufactory in her role as its proprietor. So she accepted his hand, refusing to let herself notice how firm and warm and well-shaped it was – but powerless against the charge of sensation that shot through her body.

Apparently not similarly affected and faint amusement once more stirring in his eyes, the viscount said, ‘Forgive me, Miss Hawthorne. I assumed that business women such as yourself would customarily seal a bargain in the same way gentlemen do. But perhaps I was mistaken?’

‘It is of no consequence, sir,’ she said jerkily, ‘I’m pleased we were able to reach an agreement.’

‘As am I. So … how do we proceed from here?’

Anna drew a long, steadying breath, still struggling to find her composure.

‘As soon as I am home, I shall arrange payment. This can be done in whatever way suits you. By draft, directly to your bank or in cash to you personally, if you would prefer that.’

‘I would,’ said Daniel. If the money went into the bank, it would be swallowed up by the overdraft. He didn’t want that. He wanted to decide how best to put it to use. ‘And the removal of the collection?’

‘Once the money has changed hands, Mr Lowe will send some of our people to pack the pieces and transport them to the manufactory,’ she replied. ‘It will take a while to organise and exhibit it. But once that has been done, I will give instructions that you be informed and invited to a private viewing – bringing the dowager viscountess, of course.’ Anna rose, shook out her skirts and met his eyes with a calm she did not feel. ‘And now, if you will excuse me, I should check that all is in readiness for making an early departure tomorrow. But I shall see you at dinner.’

She was half-way to the door when she thought she heard him mutter, ‘Joy over-bounding.’

** *

In fact, she did not see his lordship at dinner.

‘He rode into the village and will probably eat at the tavern there,’ Rebecca told her.

Thank God , thought Anna.

‘But he said you and he reached an amicable agreement about the collection and have settled a very fair price for it.’

Amicable? thought Anna, a little wildly. He’d taken her hand for no more than a few seconds and she’d felt it in every nerve and sinew of her body … and continued to do so for almost an hour after leaving the library. ‘Yes. We did.’

‘He also said you promised something very kind for Mama’s sake, even though you didn’t need to,’ continued Rebecca. ‘But Mama will want to thank you for that herself.’

The Dowager did more than merely thank her. Much to Anna’s alarm, she found herself clasped in Lady Reculver’s arms and fiercely hugged while her ladyship said, ‘Such a thoughtful gesture! And I will greatly look forward to seeing my treasures properly displayed – as they never truly have been before.’

Anna muttered something suitably self-deprecating and was grateful when Flynn announced dinner. Forcing herself to swallow some of what was on her plate in between making brief contributions to the conversation gradually became a little less difficult … but she was relieved when the Dowager chose to retire early.

Left alone to take tea with Rebecca, she wondered whether it would be unwise to ask one or two of the questions she could not, under any circumstances, ask the viscount. She still shuddered inwardly at her earlier crass demand.

Just how badly are you dipped, my lord?

Quite aside from being rude and intrusive, that had also been stupid. Rebecca’s brother had inherited the family’s financial situation along with the title. He wasn’t responsible for creating it. But the basic question remained the same. How bad actually was it? Insufficient income for anything outside the household’s most basic needs … or was the viscountcy neck-deep in debt? Anna had heard snatches of conversation referring to Rebecca possibly making her come-out next year. That, in itself, would be expensive. Then, if she received an offer of marriage, a dowry would be required; and if that had not already been set aside, her brother would have to provide it. For all of which, he would need a great deal more than two thousand three hundred pounds.

Facing the younger girl across the hearth and accepting a cup of tea, Anna said slowly, ‘As you know, I didn’t enjoy my London Season. But I think you are looking forward to yours, aren’t you?’

‘If it happens,’ replied Rebecca with a slight shrug.

‘Might it not?’

‘Daniel will do his best to make sure that it does.’

‘Of course.’

‘And thanks to his friends, there will be no need to lease a house.’ Setting down her cup with just a little more force than was necessary, Rebecca added, ‘Papa sold our house in Curzon Street years ago while Dan was still at Oxford.’

‘I see.’

‘Yes. By now, I imagine you must do.’ And then, bitterly, ‘As I told you, Daniel inherited unforeseen … complications. If he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here – oh! Forgive me. I didn’t mean to be rude!’

‘There’s nothing to forgive. You haven’t told me anything I didn’t already know or hadn’t guessed,’ responded Anna gently. ‘Feel free to speak your mind. You won’t offend me. But don’t tell me anything you’d rather not … although you may be assured that anything you do tell me will go no further.’

‘Thank you.’ Apparently content to accept this, Rebecca fell silent for a moment before saying explosively, ‘Debts. Papa left debts that none of us knew anything about until he died. I don’t know the details. Dan tried to protect Mama and me from the worst of it and didn’t tell us anything at all until he had to. As for the estate, it seems that has barely been scraping by for years and, though things can be put right eventually, it will take time. And money – which, of course, we don’t have. This – all of this – has fallen on Dan’s shoulders when the fault was Papa’s. It’s so unfair!’

***

Later, in the privacy of her own room, Anna considered what Rebecca had told her. It wasn’t an uncommon story these days. Landed gentry whose land no longer showed a profit thanks to antiquated farming methods and lack of investment. If the gossip she’d heard in London was a true indication, the usual manner in which such families mended their finances was through a wealthy marriage or two. That, after all, was how Mama had expected Anna herself to acquire the much-coveted title. And it was a solution which lay open to Viscount Reculver, wasn’t it? Not just the obvious one, but one with which he, of all men, would have scant difficulty achieving. His looks alone were sufficient to attract a lady he wanted … and Anna suspected that, when he wasn’t beset with problems, he also possessed a sense of humour and quantities of charm. She herself wasn’t exactly seeing him at his best right now, but even she wasn’t immune to –

She cut that thought off with a derisive laugh.

Why pretend? She wasn’t just not immune to his lordship’s manifold charms, she was more than half way to being bewitched. He’d taken her hand and the instant his skin touched hers she had been flooded with feelings she’d never experienced before but had no difficulty at all in identifying. Hunger; want; and a need to know him utterly. Not solely in a sexual sense, though she wasn’t na?ve enough to suppose that wasn’t a part of it. But to watch him, listen to him, learn to read and understand him; to know that he was hers. All of that and probably more. And all of it, thanks to his precarious financial position, not entirely out of her reach.

He needs an heiress, doesn’t he? So why not me? she thought. And then checked herself. Stop. Wait. Before you talk yourself into offering to marry him, just think for a moment. What was it he’d said? Something about not wanting to be a kept man? Yes. That was it. Basically, bad as things are, he’s too proud to sell himself.

Anna could understand that. When pride was one of the few things a man had left, she imagined it became doubly precious.

And his lordship’s pride wasn’t the only obstacle. She knew she wasn’t at all the sort of wife he wanted; in truth, she probably wasn’t the sort of wife any gentleman wanted – something which, until now, she hadn’t minded. But three days’ acquaintance with Daniel Shelbourne had changed that. Now , she’d seen a man she did want; a man with whom she could imagine making a life where he managed his concerns and she, hers, each of them supporting the other. So if there was even the slightest chance of having him, regardless of the terms, she’d regret it forever if she didn’t at least try.

But you can’t just march in and ask him to marry you, she told herself sternly. You have to be cleverer than that. You have to offer him a bargain he might find tempting enough to consider. Otherwise, he’ll simply refuse … or, worse still, laugh.

The only questions were whether she was brave enough to make the attempt … and if she was, how best to go about it.

It took the rest of the night to work that out.

***

Having avoided Miss Hawthorne at dinner last night, Daniel realised he couldn’t do it again at breakfast. Nor, in truth, was there any reason why he should want to. Their business with each other was concluded and the practical details of payment for and collection of the wares would largely be conducted by Hawthorne’s manager. Also, he had to admit that he’d come out of it substantially better than expected. All he had to do now was exchange a few bland sentences over the breakfast table, bid the lady a civil farewell and wish her a safe journey home.

The first part went as predicted until, as everyone was leaving the table Miss Hawthorne asked him if he could spare her a few moments of his time.

Sighing inwardly, Daniel said, ‘Of course, ma’am.’

‘In private, if you wouldn’t mind.’

His brows rose a little at that but he nodded and said, ‘The library, then.’

Anna followed, watched him close the door and, when he offered her a seat, she took it in case her knees became unreliable – which she already suspected they might.

This time, the viscount chose the chair behind his desk, effectively placing a barrier between them. Anna wished he hadn’t … then told herself it made little difference. He was either going to hear her out or he wasn’t – so where he sat was immaterial.

She said, ‘I am going to be exceedingly blunt, my lord – for which I apologise in advance. It would help if you could accept that it isn’t my intention to offend or insult you in any way. Far from it, in fact.’

‘I’ll attempt to bear that in mind,’ he replied dryly. ‘But, just out of interest, what is your intention?’

‘To offer you a business proposition.’

‘Really? Of what sort?’

‘We’ll get to that in a little while.’ Anna paused, mostly to control her breathing which nerves were making erratic. ‘First, I have just one question which – which you may consider impertinent.’

‘If yesterday’s example was anything to go by, I suspect it is likely to go well beyond impertinence, Miss Hawthorne. However, if you’ve finished preparing the ground –’

‘I haven’t, quite.’

‘Then please do so and get to the point.’

She nodded. ‘Very well. It’s clear that you are in financial difficulties or you would not – as you said yesterday – have been haggling over your mother’s keepsakes. But your lack of ready funds is very evident. The house is understaffed; you can’t afford to drain one of the fields on your land and the land itself isn’t producing as well as it might if you were able to invest in more modern methods.’ She hesitated briefly as he uncoiled from the chair to loom over her across the desk. ‘Then there’s your sister.’

‘I think,’ he said, in a low, hard voice, ‘that we will leave my sister out of it.’

‘Rebecca hasn’t yet made her come-out and that will be costly. An offer of marriage, should she receive one, will necessitate a dowry,’ continued Anna stubbornly. ‘As matters stand, I don’t think you can afford either of those things. And if, in addition to everything I’ve said so far, there are also debts – ’

‘That’s enough! ’ snapped Daniel furiously. ‘What business is any of this of yours?’

‘As I said, we’ll come to that. But first, just tell me one thing. How much do you need? How much would it take to fund your accounts, pay off whatever debts you may have and give Rebecca her Season?’

For a long moment, he subjected her to a long, silent stare. Then, his voice tightly controlled but still dangerous, he said, ‘This has gone far enough. You said you had a business proposition for me. Make it now – or leave before my patience snaps.’

‘Twenty thousand?’ she suggested, her tone lightly conversational. ‘Thirty?’

This time he said nothing. Instead, he straightened his back and walked around the desk towards her. Anna sat very still, watching him. Then, when he was no more than two steps away, she checked his advance by saying, ‘I have a substantial fortune, Lord Reculver, plus quarterly returns from Hawthorne’s. What I don’t have is as much freedom as I would like, thanks to both my mother’s and society’s notions of what is proper.’

‘Freedom to do what, madam? Drink and gamble? Entertain your friends with bawdy jokes over the teacups? Take a lover or two?’

Colour surged to her cheeks and he saw her swallow hard. Then, keeping her tone very level, she said, ‘None of those. Very small things – such as coming and going as I see fit, visiting my manufactory on a regular basis or travelling when necessary; all without argument and the need to consider ‘ what people will think ’.’ She paused. ‘Gaining these freedoms would be worth a great deal to me.’

‘The point, Miss Hawthorne,’ said Daniel, in something approaching a growl.

‘The point is that I can only see one way to get them – and it is something I have previously discounted as impossible.’ Another pause and then, baldly, ‘Marriage.’

Whatever Daniel had expected, this wasn’t it. ‘Marriage?’

‘Yes. But to the right man. One who would not hedge me about with restrictions and, as I’ve previously said, would leave me free to run my business without interference.’ Lifting her chin, Anna attempted a smile. ‘However, you were mistaken when you assumed I wanted an idle fellow, happy to live off my money. I don’t. I couldn’t deal amicably with a man I despise. What I need is a man of integrity with matters of his own to manage. A man who would pursue his goals while I pursue mine, each of us offering the other counsel and support, as and when required. In short, what I want is less a husband than a – a partner.’

Throughout this speech, Daniel had finally begun to suspect what she was building up to and couldn’t decide which of his reactions was stronger. Sheer incredulity that the notion should occur to her or shock that she’d actually have the audacity to suggest it.

He said, ‘If we’ve finally arrived at the point, I suggest you simply make it.’

She nodded, rose to face him and, looking him in the eye, said, ‘Everything I have learned here leads me to conclude that you have the qualities I have just described. You are caring for your mother and sister and mending matters on the estate as best you can but without any of the resources you need.’ She hesitated briefly, then added bluntly, ‘I do have those resources. And I would be prepared to put them into your hands to apply as you see fit. I do not believe you would misuse them.’

Daniel’s mind was reeling but he murmured, ‘You’re too kind.’

‘No, I’m not. I’m practical. You need money; I have it – enough to pay off any debts you may have, along with the other expenses I referred to earlier – and more.’ Another pause and then, rapidly and with a complete absence of expression, ‘My lord, I think we could forge a successful partnership from which we would both benefit.’

‘Do you indeed?’

‘I do. I am aware that your immediate reaction is to disagree. But I ask you to think about it.’ She paused, swallowed and added rapidly, ‘Consequently, I will increase my offer for the collection to three thousand pounds – irrespective of your final decision – if you will merely consider my proposal.’

The second the words were out, she wished them back. Where had they come from, for God’s sake? They certainly hadn’t been part of her plan. But they were out now and couldn’t be unsaid … so the only thing to do was to avoid his lordship’s incredulous gaze and press on.

She said, ‘If your answer is a refusal, I shall accept that without argument. If the opposite, a further five thousand pounds will immediately be transferred to you as a gesture of good faith.’

Daniel realised he was beginning to feel slightly dizzy. Seven hundred pounds just to think about it? And a further five thousand if he said yes? Was she serious or insane?

He said, ‘Why? Why the money?’

Her brows rose as if the answer was obvious.

‘Two reasons. To help ease your most pressing obligations … and to show that, if we were to marry, I would leave you free to manage your own business and with the funds to do it already at your disposal. So there it is. All I ask is that you consider it. Do we have an agreement?’

He continued to look at her for what seemed a very long time. But finally he said slowly, ‘Yes. I believe we do.’

‘Good.’ This time, suddenly desperate to get away, it was she who offered her hand and, when he took it, managed to say breathlessly, ‘Thank you for listening, my lord. I shall take up no more of your time. My man-of-law will be in touch. May I expect your decision within a month? Or word, if you feel further discussion will first be necessary?’

‘You may,’ he agreed, subduing the impulse to tell her not to be too hopeful. ‘But for now, all I’ll say is that I will … consider it’

~**~**~