If You Deceive - Cole Kresley (серии книг читать бесплатно txt) 📗

Chapter Eighteen

The Scot hadn't even raised a brow when tray after tray of food had arrived—fruit, pastries, lobster, salads, and a trio of desserts. Surveying all the dishes she'd just enjoyed, she realized he'd been right—the apple had been such a worthy sacrifice.

Yet Maddy had been suspicious when he'd wanted to dinein his room and had almost fled with the ring. Then she'd concluded that he didn't want to be in the restaurant because of his face, which was understandable, considering how extensive the scar was. She couldn't believe he'd hidden his true appearance from her that first night—willfully hidden it, even as he'd taken her.

He brought her glass of champagne to her seat at the table. Though she was already light-headed, he'd drunk nothing. She'd noticed before that he seemed to favor one side, and now he sat gingerly on the bed as though he was in pain.

"You told me you've lived alone since you were fourteen," he said. "I'm curious to know how you pay for rent and food."

"You mean, if tonight's performance was any indication." She'd lost more than she'd made—until the Scot had given her adiamond ! Unfortunately, it would be difficult to sell promptly for its true value. And she needed money immediately. But then, she'd already snared a gold watch from his bag and some silverware from the dinner settings.

He wisely said nothing to her comment. She wasn't keen on answering his questions, but she figured she'd have to until she could either eat more or pocket more of the silver. "Sometimes I deal cards and sell cigarettes at a cafe near Montmartre." She shrugged as she drank. "If not that, then I run a shell game at fairs or bet themutuels on the side."

"I saw the book by your bed. Doona tell me you consider yourself a Bohemian."

"Not at all. The book is recent and set in a neighboring quarter. I was merely picking up tips on getting things for free. I have no sympathy for them, even the ones who are poorer than I am." She absently murmured, "Do you know how hard you would have to work to be poorer than me?" Shaking her head, she said, "Many of them purposely leave their wealthy families to come starve in La Marais."

"Quin told me your mother and stepfather live in St. Roch. Did you no' do the same by leaving?"

"My reason for leaving St. Roch had nothing to do withpretension . And it's a matter I don't wish to discuss."

"What kind of woman lets her daughter live in the slum?"

Maddy set her glass down and rose, turning toward the door.

He lunged for her wrist, moving swiftly for such a big man. "Just wait," he said, gritting his teeth as though in pain.

She glared at his hand. "I've told you I don't want to talk about it."

"I will no' bring it up again." He released her and she swished back to her chair, resuming her drinking. "But I wonder that you're so inclined to leave when you've no' even heard why I'm here."

"Yes, your 'proposition.' I'm quite certain I know what it is. You as much as told me so that night."

"Aye, I'd thought about setting you up as my mistress. And it seems you might have waited in London until I returned, if this life was what you faced."

"I didn't want to be your mistress. That would mean I would have to repeat the actions of that night." She shuddered. "I think I might rather die. The only way I'd ever endure that again is in marriage—"

"Then it appears I'll be marrying you," he grated.

She gave him a look of pure disgust. "I have had a day like no other, MacCarrick. I really don't need to sit here and listen to this."

"What if I told you I came here specifically for you? To collect you and take you to Scotland to wed?"

"I'm in no mood for your jesting." She stared at his impassive face with dawning horror. "Oh, Lord, you're…serious.Marriage is what you've decided needs to be done with me?" In a panicked tone, she said, "I only mentioned marriage because I was certain you'd violently balk again!"

He glowered at that, then seemed not to know how to proceed, running his hand over the back of his neck.

"You actually thought I'd welcome your proposal?" she sputtered in disbelief. The arrogance! "You looked at my 'hovel' and thought I'd weep with joy and consider you my savior. Should I fall to my knees?"

"I think no,' else all that silver stowed in your skirt pocket will clink about like chimes."

She quirked an eyebrow. She didn't get detected often, and she'd been careful tonight. He was good. "I don't know what you're talking about."

To his credit, he didn't press that subject, instead returning to the proposal. "It would make sense that you might be pleased to receiveany offer of marriage."

"You told me you wouldnever be moved to marry." She made her tone woeful. "Oh, if only I'd listened! Then I wouldn't have tried to trap you seconds later."

"Things have changed. Recently I was injured, and it brought my life into focus. I have a title, and I've realized I need an heir, so I must marry."

"What's your title?"

"I'm an earl in Scotland. The Earl of Kavanagh."

"Planning to make me acountess ?" she breathed with wide eyes. "How novel! I'venever heard that one in Montmartre."

"It's true."

"And why would you choose me?"

"None of my options seemed enticing, and then I thought of you. After I asked around and learned much about you, I determined we would suit. You're known to have a steady, practical personality, and to be intelligent."

"You could make a much more advantageous match."

"You underestimate your charms."

"No, I don't. I know I'm pretty and intelligent, but I have no connections—and no dowry. In case you haven't gathered, I'm abysmally poor."

"I have no need of connections and have more money than either of us could possibly spend in a lifetime. I can choose my bride based only on if I find herpretty andintelligent ."

She quirked an eyebrow at that. "Why do you thinkI would actually haveyou ?"

"You told me at the masquerade that you wanted to marry a man with money. I have money. You told me you wanted an expensive ring, and I've given you one worth a small fortune. You'll be a countess and have more wealth and homes at your disposal than you've dreamed of."

Homes and wealth? Countess?Was this odd Scot genuine? Hadn't she just begged for one break? One pause in the endless series of heartaches?

And then this MacCarrick just happened to show up at her door, proposing?

No! Gifts don't fall from heaven like this! Not for me. Something is off!

"All you have to do is leave Paris with me. I'll wed you in Scotland."

"Why not marry here inla ville lumiere ?" In a dry tone, she said, "You're clearly such a romantic, and thisis Paris…"

"Because I'm the laird of my clan, and I'm expected to marry at the MacCarrick seat with a grand wedding for all the clan to enjoy. And marrying in front of witnesses from my county in Scotland will help ensure my children inherit without challenge." When she remained unconvinced, he quietly said, "Money, protection, a life of ease are all within your grasp. Marriage to me is that repulsive a proposition?" He absently dashed the back of his hand over his scar.

"Yes, and before you begin thinking it's because of your face"—he dropped his hand, seeming surprised he'd been touching it—"I'll ask you to hark back to your behavior that night. You ruined what could have been,should have been, wonderful. I thought I had a firm grasp of what cruelty was, but you educated me further."

"It was no' that bad—"

"Yes, I've heard some women enjoy overeager Highlanders pawing at them, nearly ripping their clothes off, then delivering excruciating pain. For some reason, I just couldn't understand the appeal." She shrugged. "I'll bet it eats at you, knowing that I found you to be a horrible lover."