“Yes.”
“You have the authority to withhold my inheritance?”
He nodded again.
“So, it would have done Brandon no good to marry me. Did he know this?”
Her uncle didn't answer immediately, but finally said, “He did.”
“Most interesting. Yet he married me anyway. How do you account for that?”
Silence drew out between them so long, Phoebe wondered if he would answer, but he did. “He told me that if I didn't pay him, he would ruin you.”
Phoebe drew a sharp breath.
“Forgive me, Phoebe. I didn't tell you then, because I felt you had suffered enough at his hand.”
“So,” she said, “when you wouldn’t pay, he made good on his threat.”
“Not exactly.”
Phoebe frowned.
“I did, indeed, pay.”
“Oh, Uncle,” she cried, “you didn’t.”
“Of course I did.” Lord Albery’s eyes softened. “I knew you were very much under his spell, and he had no compunctions about carrying out his threat.”
Phoebe reached across the desk and took his hand in hers.
A small smile touched his mouth. “It was well worth the money, my dear.”
“Why, then, did he marry me?” she asked.
Albery’s hand tightened on hers. “He thought to play both ends. He believed that when he told you I had paid him off, you would hate me, and I would do anything to regain your good graces to the extent of sanctioning your marriage.”
“Might I ask how much you paid?”
A bushy brow shot up. “You may not.”
“That much?” She released his hand and sat back in her chair. "And I wager you paid with your money, not mine." Red tinged his cheeks and she knew she'd hit the mark. "I have caused you a great deal of grief, haven’t I?” How much more would she cause if he knew she was a spy for the Crown?
“Enough of that," he said. "You're my brother’s daughter. I could not…” His words trailed off.
Phoebe smiled. “I know.”
“You understand, my dear, why it is I must withhold your inheritance?”
“You mean, the fact that you won't allow me to wait a year just so I can, as you say, thumb my nose at the lot of you?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose I do. But I tell you, Uncle, I won't be rushed into marriage.”
Lord Albery leaned forward onto his desk. “He does seem a decent sort, Phoebe. His father was in full accord that the boy make things right. You know how rare that is for a man in his position.”
“Yes,” she admitted. “I do. But that doesn't change the fact that I will be marrying a man I hardly know, and one who, despite his honor, doesn't care for me.”
“Such alliances aren't based on love.”
“True, but I hadn’t thought I would be forced into the typical marital mayhem.”
Memory surfaced of Kiernan's hard body pressed against hers and she couldn't help wonder what the typical marital mayhem would be like with him. His words from the night before came to mind, "I will pursue you, court you, and, lastly, seduce you." Desire sent a tingle through her. Yes, the seduction would be everything he promised. The marriage, however, was another matter.
Phoebe released a breath and was surprised to realize her heart had picked up speed. “I promise to give the matter full consideration,” she said in an even tone.
Lord Albery sighed. “The marquess has agreed that your inheritance will remain yours. However, if you don't marry him, I will see to it your inheritance does not fall to you until the age of thirty.”
She was dumbstruck. “You can't be serious.”
“Five more years, Phoebe.”
“Why? My inheritance will see me safely through life. Surely you see that?”
“Phoebe,” he implored, “the money will see you have a house, but not a home. Not children, not a man to care for you.”
“He will care for me only as far as obligation demands. Once obligation is fulfilled, he will amuse himself elsewhere."
A speculative light came into Lord Albery’s eyes. “Why argue, then? That will leave you free to do as you wish.”
Oddly, the idea brought a stab of sadness, and she realized what she'd never let herself admit: her parents had been a love match and, in some distant future, she'd hoped for the same. To be tied to a man who had married her out of obligation was the worst prison she could imagine. No, she realized with a jolt. There was one worse fate: To be tied to a man she cared for who didn't care for her in return.
*****