Page 94 of Pawns of Fate
Nicholas was not so easily dissuaded.
Hector stood, his face beginning to color like an ugly bruise and his veins protruding like they might burst at any moment. Was he going to charge at them?
“We could compromise,” Nicholas huffed as though he’d just lost a round of chess, not threatened to take away a man’s noble title. “You did arrange our marriage after all.” He patted Rose’s hand gingerly.
“I wouldn’t be in this mess if I hadn’t!” Hector spat.
“I doubt that. Anyone else would have done the same research. You could only pull this deception off because Rose was a young girl when it began. Well, really, she was a baby.”
Nicholas looked at her with love-filled eyes. Rose knew her eyes, on the other hand, were a storm. Nicholas had guessed that she would have mixed feelings about all this. It was why he hadn’t told her the true purpose of coming here today. She might have tried to talk him out of it; he always said she was too kind for her own good.
Her uncle’s family had never treated her with much fondness, but they’d never abused her. Well, at least shethoughtthey hadn’t abused her until today.
Still, it seemed like her aunt and cousins were also in thedark about the deception, so they’d never even taken advantage of her like Hector had. Any actions taken against Hector would ultimately fall on them, too. Rose needed time and space to sort through all her feelings on the matter.
“We want the mines and the marshes. You can keep them for one more year so that you have enough time to get your financial situation in order.” Nicholas gestured around to the opulent decorations. “After the year is over, that portion of Robson territory and ninety percent of the mine’s profits all transfer to Rose. You may keep the other ten percent, but it is to be used for territorial management and the betterment of your people.”
Hector waved his fists wildly, inadvertently splashing thefountain water. “Go to hell! I’ll fight this in court!”
“And we’ll takeeverythingif you do. We have the proof to sway any jury in our favor. Your family will be penniless and out on the streets.” Nicholas paused, letting his words sink in. “It’s a good deal, and you won’t get a better one.”
Hector sat back in his chair and put his head in his hands. “This will ruin me.”
“It really shouldn’t.” Nicholas sounded like he was talking to a misbehaving child. Rose would have laughed at the absurdity if she weren’t struggling to control a maelstrom of emotions.
Nicholas continued, “You’ve managed more on a stricter budget. If you invest the next year’s profits carefully, your family will do quite well. You needn’t raise taxes or make your people suffer. It would only cause a revolt.” Nicholas’s words were surprisingly merciful, though they held no warmth. Rose realized that he said them as a warning.
“Uncle,” Rose said softly. She put a hand on his shoulder. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, though she wasn’t sure if she was crying for or because of her uncle. Perhaps it was both.
“Rose… I was wrong. I told myself that I was doing it because a baby couldn’t fulfill the viscount’s duties, but I shouldn’t have left you in the orphanage. You are family,” he pleaded.
She’d wanted to hear that last sentence for most of her life. But it just sounded… hollow to her now. Her heart turned to stone as she realized it was just her uncle’s attempt to change Nicholas’s mind.
Warm, strong arms embraced her. She buried her face in her husband’s broad chest as she cried. Hector put his head in his hands.
“Go. Try not to run into your aunt and cousins. I’ll break the news to them tomorrow morning.” He sighed, staring at the floor. “Let’s not ruin a good party for everyone.”
“Are you taking the deal?” Nicholas asked as he led Rose out of the room.
Hector didn’t reply.
Chapter 30
One Year Later
ROSE
Wearing an elegant pink dress covered with floral lace, Rose walked quickly through the gardens of Castle Sharp. She didn’t want to be late for Ava’s first tea party since giving birth.
Ava had been sick during most of her pregnancy and barely managed to attend her own baby shower. Rose had felt terrible watching her sister-in-law choke down little bites ofdinner. York, more attuned to his wife’s discomfort than ever, had swept Ava back to their room halfway through the shower. Ava’s energy hadn’t returned for the duration of her pregnancy, so the Sharps hadn’t held any events at their castle for months. Everyone in the castle was bubbling with anticipation for today’s celebration, Rose included.
“My lady!” Betty waved to Rose. “Lord Nicholas wants you to stop by his office.”
“He couldn’t just tell me at the party?” Rose questioned. She didn’t want to be late.
Betty shook her head. “It’s important!”
What on earth could it be, she thought. Perhaps he had a gift for Ava that he wanted her to present at the celebration.
