Page 26 of Hooked

***

I entered the drawing room, Falstone following behind at a distance, keeping himself in a protective position.

The moment I entered, I saw Captain Huckley there, standing before the fire, looking pleased with the situation. His eyes lit up at my entrance. “Wendolyn, darling.”

My stomach rolled.

“Cecily.” Marilee addressed me from her spot perched on a broad-backed chair, looking like the princess she was. “Captain Huckley insists he has something you need to hear.” She turned to look at the captain, impatience written on her face. “Go ahead, Captain.”

“I simply thought Lady Wendolyn would wish to hear news of her family,” he said as he took me in with calculating eyes.

I swallowed down the terror that his presence provoked. “What of them?” I asked, wanting him to just get to the point.

His eyes roved over me for several moments before he turned to Marilee. “Your Highness, if you please, I would like to have a private moment with Lady Wendolyn.”

Princess Marilee looked as though she was going to flatly refuse, but Sir James put a hand on her arm and she turned to look at him. They had a silent conversation before she turned back, looking unhappy but resigned. “We will give you your privacy, but my guard stays.”

I shot Falstone a sidelong glance and saw his hand clench where it rested on the hilt of his sword.

Captain Huckley let a disarming smile curve his mouth. “Surely there is no need for that,” he cajoled.

Marilee lifted her chin. “I do not know you, Captain Huckley. And if you think I would leave Cecily with you, alone and unprotected, then you have gravely miscalculated my character.”

He pulled his chin back, surprised at Marilee’s defense of me. “She is only a maid,” he said through his shock.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “She is not only anything. You have ten minutes.” She gave my hand a squeeze before leaving the room on Sir James’s arm.

As soon as the door shut, Captain Huckley’s dark eyes settled on me in a way that made me want to shiver from the cold despite the heat of my fear. I swallowed and forced my voice to work. “What news of my family?”

He grinned and I couldn’t understand why, and that worried me. “Thanks to the arrangement they entered into with me, they’ve been living quite well the last few years.”

I blinked in surprise. “Living well?”

“You didn’t know?” He seemed much too happy about that. “Did you not read the contract? It was quite simple. When the marriage was complete, your uncle would receive a hefty sum.”

“I already knew that.” But I had no idea what it had to do with now since the marriage never happened.

“And of course, your mother,” he continued, seeming to revel in the storytelling. “You see, your mother was reluctant to let you go. She wanted some sort of reassurance that I was invested in your future, and of course your uncle knew the worth of a pretty face. So the contract stipulated that not only would I take care of you, but I would also pad the pockets of your uncle and your mother. It was all signed and agreed to beforehand.”

“But the terms of the contract were never carried out.”

“Perhaps not by you, thanks to your wily subterfuge. But even when you disappeared and we all believed you had died, I kept my end of the bargain. I am a man of my word, you realize. Your uncle and all his household have been living well thanks to my generosity. After all, I did feel some responsibility for your demise and thought it was the least I could do to soften the blow. No doubt they will rejoice at the news of your health and happiness.” The gleam in his eyes made my skin crawl, as did the way the corners of his mouth curled up. “However, I must insist that we proceed with the original terms that were agreed upon. I’ve waited long enough.”

I stumbled back a step as his bold meaning hit me. “You mean marriage?” I asked in a horrified whisper.

“Of course.”

“No.” The word was automatic, brought up from the very depth of my soul to declare my refusal.

“No?” He asked with a quirk of his brow.

“No,” I reiterated. “I did not have a choice before. But I believe I am capable of making my own choice now. And though you may find it strange that I would choose this life, there is nothing in the world that would convince me to choose you.”

His face settled into a frown, almost a pout. “I am very sorry to hear that.”

I swallowed, praying that would be the end of it.

“I’m certain your uncle will be disappointed.”