Page 101 of A Scandalous Bargain
He smiled at her and wiped the tear away. “Don’t cry, my love.”
She smiled back, her face lighting with happiness.
“Even knowing she is a thief and illegitimate, you don’t care?” Ramsgate looked utterly befuddled.
“Not in the slightest. Actually, that’s not true. I care about every part of her. As should you.”
Ramsgate sniffed.
Beatrix took a deep breath. “I should tell you, Your Grace, that our secret may not remain secret much longer. One of the girls I attended school with recognized me earlier today. I acted as if I didn’t know her, but she knew a Beatrix Linley and that I was your daughter.”
Ramsgate’s face flushed. “You told them?”
She flinched against Thomas. “I didn’t have to. They all knew.”
“Those idiots.” The duke sneered. “Only one of the teachers at that school could have told them. Unless you did.”
“I would just as soon no one know the truth.” Beatrix looked her father in the eye. “I prefer to remain with my real family—Selina, Rafe, and now Harry and his family.”
Thomas had never been prouder of anyone. He leaned down and said, “I’ve never loved you more than this moment.”
Her eyes glowed as she looked up at him. “I love you too.” She turned her head back toward the duke. “So, if you wouldn’t mind, let’s just pretend what you said outside is the truth—I’m the daughter of an old friend. But it can’t be my mother since I share her with my siblings.”
The duke frowned in distaste. “Rest assured, I will say as little as possible.”
“I must confess, I’m rather confused by you, Ramsgate,” Harry said. “You were willing to let Beatrix keep her mother’s jewels, and yet you want nothing to do with her.”
“Actually, it makes perfect sense,” Beatrix said. “It’s much easier for him to make a transaction. He gives me the jewels in exchange for my leaving him alone.”
Harry gave his head a shake. “How…sad.”
Beatrix straightened, and Thomas dropped his hand to her back. She pulled a fistful of emeralds out of her pocket and held them out in her palm. “If you’d like to fetch my mother’s jewels, I can give you these in exchange.”
“Keep them.” He went to the door and called for his butler. They spoke quietly in the doorway for a moment.
Ramsgate returned. “They’ll be down in a moment. I will hope our business is now concluded.”
“Completely,” Beatrix said. “Thank you. Without you, I never would have met Tom.” She slid her arm around his waist.
“And I never would have met Beatrix. Yes, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.” Thomas bowed.
“To be clear, I do not want to attend your wedding.”
“Nor will you be invited,” Thomas said with glee.
Ramsgate took a long look at Beatrix, appraising her quite intently. “You do look like your mother. She’d be happy to know you are to be a viscountess.” He straightened, running his hand down his coat, over his paunch. “I wish you both well.”
Then he left.
A moment later, the butler entered. He handed Beatrix the purple velvet box. She clasped it reverently, her gaze soft as she regarded the treasure.
“May I see you out?” the butler asked with more than a touch of hostility.
Beatrix gave him a sickly sweet smile. “Please.”
Thomas escorted her downstairs, and Harry followed. Outside, Thomas was glad to see the crowd had dissipated. A few people stood in the square watching. He quickly ushered Beatrix toward his house.
“Ah, my horse,” Harry said, drawing Thomas to stop and turn. “I see one of your grooms has him.” He nodded toward where one of Thomas’s stable lads was tending him.
