Page 35 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
Really. For a man who dealt so frequently with criminals, he was awfully easy to shock.
“You mean…”
“Yes,” she said simply. “It would be easy enough to arrange a…situation in which we are caught.”
His eyes narrowed, but not so much with suspicion as renewed interest. “What’s in it for you then?”
Her smile felt far more genuine now that he was finally catching on and they were getting to the point. She stayed quiet for just a moment. But no…
Still no sign of Albright.
For the best, really. Perhaps this plan to marry Everson would work just as well. With that thought, she straightened,and spelled out how it would work. “You would have all the money. And you’d drop this investment scheme—” She arched a brow in warning when he tried to protest.
He fell silent and waved for her to continue.
“There will be no need to fleece good men like my Uncle Edward if you have my dowry.”
He gave a little nod of assent to the unposed question.
“I assume you want that money because you are keen to escape the country…” It was a guess but it made sense to her so she wasn’t surprised when he nodded again.
A hint of panic filled his eyes as he fidgeted with the dagger but when she remained silent, he admitted, “I’ve made some…enemies here in London.”
His expression took on a hunted quality that made her wary. A desperate man could be a godsend or a danger. She had to choose her words wisely.
“Your enemies and your former business interests are none of my concern,” she said, in a tone as reassuring as she could manage. “What is my concern is my uncle and my freedom. My proposition is this—marry me, take the dowry, and leave the country?—”
“But you?—”
“I will be in disgrace, yes, but a disgrace who is free to live on her own terms. I have enough money from an inheritance on my mother’s side that I will be able to have my independence.”
“You…” Everson said. “You are serious.”
She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Indeed.”
Everson stared at her in disbelief for a moment longer before scrubbing a hand over his eyes, confusion and hope mingling with a paranoia that made her doubt his sanity. He scratched his chin. “To be clear, you know that I have been running a smuggling ring…”
She nodded when he paused.
“And that I’d planned to fleece your uncle and his friends…”
She nodded again, and his face caved with confusion.
“Then, for the love of…” He shook his head as his voice trailed off. “Why?”
She didn’t have a chance to explain because at that moment a ruckus broke out in the warehouse. Men seemed to surge out of every doorway, and her heart surged into her throat as she caught sight of Albright at the front, rage marring his features.
Marlin was right behind him, and from the far side came The Duke of Carver, Lord Kalvin, and several men she did not know.
Everson was obviously more than outmatched. Indeed, it was overkill. She nearly felt sorry for the man as he toppled, the crowd descending too fast and too suddenly for him to lift his dagger.
She missed what was said, only that one of the men she didn’t recognize seemed to be in charge, barking orders.
What she didn’t miss was the look of rage that twisted Everson’s face. He was sprawled on the ground, with several men holding him still, but his eyes were fixed on her, and the emotion was…
Well, she didn’t wish to sound melodramatic, but the wordmurderouscame to mind.
She found she couldn’t look away until one of the men blocked him from view.
