Page 34 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
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This…was a gamble. Felicity’s smile was fixed in place, despite Everson’s gaping.
Felicity had known this would be a gamble, of course. But it was funny how the risks involved in a gamble seemed so much more frightening in the moment then they did when they were a mere idea.
There was nothing theoretical about the knife he still held in her direction. And the words she’d just uttered had been very, very real.
There was no going back now. And despite all the lectures she’d given herself beforehand, all the ways she’d thought this through…
Her heart still clattered about wildly as thoughts such aswhat are you doing?!echoed against her skull.
But it was too late now. Ridiculous or not—ridiculous!that same voice shouted,Definitely ridiculous!—she was here now, and it was done.
Everson finally recovered enough to cock his head to the side, fix her with a look of disbelief, and say, “Pardon?”
Fine, it was almost done. She supposed now was the time to explain her reasoning.
But first, she told herself… First she had to get control of this situation once more. Because honestly, there was every chance Marlin didn’t take Jane’s message seriously. Or perhaps he forgot…
And even if he had taken the message to Albright, as requested, what if Albright thought it was a joke? Or worse, what if he just didn’t care?
And even if they were both frighteningly eager to get here, there were any number of ways they could have been delayed, especially in this weather.
Everson was starting to regain his senses, and he scowled down at her. “I beg your pardon?”
She folded her hands together in front of her and gave the dagger a pointed look.
With a look that was almost embarrassed, Everson hurriedly dropped the dagger to his side. “My apologies, Felicity. I’d thought you’d come here as an adversary.”
Some of his debonair manners seemed to have returned. He even gave her a crooked smile that might have made her swoon if she hadn’t taken such a dislike to him from the start.
And that wasbeforeshe’d discovered he was a thief out to bamboozle her great uncle.
“On the contrary,” she said, her voice filled with the sort of happy enthusiasm typically reserved for a wedding toast. “I came here because I saw an opportunity for us both to get what we want.”
Everson tugged at his ear, considering her.
Meanwhile, Felicity did her best to listen. She waited to hear any scratch or rustle…
Anything that might alert her to Albright’s presence. When she didn’t hear anything, she felt the most unusual mix of relief and disappointment.
As with any good plan she’d had a plan and a backup plan. Neither was ideal, and each had its cons, but…
Well, now was not the time to fret over how this might end. She was here now, and she meant to see this through.
“You see, Mr. Everson,” she started. “I find I’m in a bit of a pickle. My family is eager for me to marry, and quickly.”
He made a noise of understanding. “And how does this affect me?”
“I understand that you require funds at this point in time, is that correct?”
Everson looked suspicious so she smiled brighter. “I’m sure you’ve heard of my dowry, have you not?”
His suspicion transformed to burgeoning excitement almost instantly as he pieced together what she was after. And a second later his face fell. “Your parents want a title, everyone knows that.”
“Indeed they do. But I do not. And my parents will have to accept the man of my choosing…if they mean to avoid scandal.”
His brows arched and his eyes widened as he caught her meaning.
