Page 32 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“Then I will be forced to take more direct action,” Giles replied, his voice hardening. “Including making your identity as this notorious authoress known to the very society whose sensibilities you’ve been inflaming.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” But even as she spoke the words, Marina knew they were hollow.

Of course, he would dare—men like Giles did not make idle threats.

“I would prefer not to,” he said with feigned regret. “It would likely impact the sales of your future works which would make it more difficult for you to settle the debt. But if you force my hand…”

Marina’s mind raced, seeking any escape from the trap closing around her. “I need time to consider this.”

“Of course,” Giles agreed magnanimously. “I will give you one week to gather the initial payment of five hundred pounds. After that…” He let the threat hang in the air.

“And in the meantime,” Lupton added, pushing a small pouch across the desk, “your payment for the last story. Though I must say, the market seems to be cooling somewhat. I have deducted the usual expenses, of course.”

Marina took the pouch, noting its lightness with dismay. Without counting, she knew it contained far less than her previous payments.

“I have brought my new manuscript,” she said, placing it on the desk with reluctant hands.

She had counted on a more substantial payment for this work to help her through the next month.

Lupton barely glanced at it. “I shall review it in due course.”

His dismissive tone told Marina all she needed to know. The conspiracy between these two men was complete—Lupton would continue to reduce her payments, forcing her to write more frequently to meet Giles’s demands, trapping her in a cycle of debt and dependence.

“One week, Lady Asquith,” Giles reminded her as she reached the door. “And do remember the consequences of refusal.”

Marina didn’t trust herself to respond. She swept from the office, past the curious clerk, and into the street.

Inside her modest townhouse, Marina retreated immediately to her study, emptying the contents of her reticule onto the worn desk.

The coins made a pitiful pile. She counted them twice, hoping she had somehow made an error the first time. But the sum remained unchanged—barely enough to last a month, even with the strictest economies. Certainly not enough to maintain her small household and meet Giles’s demand.

A soft knock interrupted her grim calculations.

“Enter,” she called, hastily sweeping the coins into a drawer.

Mrs. Higgins, her housekeeper, appeared in the doorway. “Will you be taking tea in the parlor, My Lady?”

Marina studied the older woman’s face—the lines of loyalty and dependability etched around kind eyes. Mrs. Higgins had served her faithfully since her marriage, remaining when others had sought more promising positions after Henry’s death.

“Yes, thank you. And please ask all the staff to gather in the kitchen in an hour. I need to speak with everyone.”

The housekeeper’s eyes reflected concern, but she merely nodded and withdrew.

Marina spent the next hour preparing for what she must do. She gathered what funds remained in her strongbox, dividing them into carefully considered portions.

When the hour arrived, she made her way to the kitchen where her small staff—the cook, two maids, a footman, and Mrs. Higgins—waited in nervous silence.

“I thank you all for coming,” Marina began, clasping her hands to hide their trembling. “I’m afraid I must share some hard news. My financial situation has become more precarious than I expected.”

She saw understanding dawn in their eyes, along with the fear that inevitably accompanied such announcements in a city where service positions were fiercely competitive.

“Due to some unexpected complications with my late husband’s estate,” she continued, the lie bitter on her tongue, “I find myself unable to maintain our current household arrangement. With the deepest regret, I must release you all from your positions.”

A collective intake of breath filled the kitchen. The youngest maid’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your loyal service,” Marina added quickly. “And to show that gratitude in what small way I can, I have prepared a severance payment for each of you.”

She withdrew the carefully prepared envelopes from her pocket, handing them out individually. “I have also written letters of recommendation, attesting to your excellent character and service. I hope they will help you secure new positions promptly.”

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