He shot her a wary glance. “What is it?”
“The jointure you list is about twenty percent of the fortune I bring to the marriage. That seems excessive, given that the typical jointure is ten percent of what the bride brings to the marriage.”
Now that was a remark he’d never expected from Clarissa. But perhaps she didn’t understand the terminology. “A woman’s jointure provides for her once her husband dies, so it’s only fair—”
“I know what a jointure is, Edwin,” she said irritably. “I simply can’t figure out why you’re offering double the usual amount.”
He smiled. “I see that I’m about to gain a rather clever wife.”
“Were you in doubt of that?”
“Of course not,” he said hastily, recognizing a trap when he saw one. “But I didn’t expect you to have a knowledge of settlements or, for that matter, complicated mathematics.”
“I took care of most of managing the household even before Papa died.” She leaned close. “As you might imagine, Mama is not good with figures.”
“I’m shocked to hear it,” he said dryly.
She swatted him with her reticule. “I can criticize Mama. You cannot.”
“I see,” he said with a smile. “So there are rules for our marriage?”
“A number of them.”
“Are you going to tell me what they are?”
“In due time. Now, stop beating about the bush, and answer my question about the terms of the jointure in the settlement.”
When Clarissa got the bit between her teeth, she never let go. He wasn’t sure what that meant for a marriage between them. That he’d never have any peace, probably. “How do you even know what the ‘usual amount’ is for a jointure?”
“I knew what Mama’s was. And Yvette told me about hers.”
He gaped at her. “My sister discussed her marriage settlement with you?”
“We women discuss all sorts of things, you know, and thank heaven that we do. Since Mama would rather eat snakes than read a legal document, and my brother—or my cousin—isn’t here to negotiate my settlement, I was glad your sister had talked so much about hers when she was preparing for her wedding. It gave me something to go on when I looked it over.”
Trying to imagine his sister poring over such a document made his head hurt. Reading contracts didn’t seem like something she’d enjoy. “So you were able to . . . er . . . decipher the legal language?”
“With the help of a dictionary. And one of my cousin’s books.” She yawned, covering it rather ineffectively with one hand. “Which is why I got little sleep last night.”
He chuckled. “I’m surprised the language alone didn’t put you to sleep. It would have done me. I hate legal documents. But having overseen Yvette’s, I at least knew what was supposed to be in one.” After taking a corner a bit too fast, he slid her a side glance. “So you found your jointure acceptable? And the pin money?”
“Of course. I merely want to understand the reason for your generosity.” She shot him an arch look. “Are you trying to soften me up before you assert your authority? Or are you simply more reckless with your money than I realized?”
“I am neither a spendthrift nor tyrannical. Or, for that matter, calculating enough to try to ‘soften’ you up with money. I am merely trying to make up for the unorthodox nature of our marriage.”
“I see.” Her smile warmed him. “In that case, I have no complaints.” She stared down at her reticule. “Though I still want that extra clause put in.”
The one that denied him his husbandly rights until she deigned to accept him in her bed. “Yes. That will be done.” Even if he had to bludgeon his solicitor into it, which he might have to do. The man was doddering on the edge of the grave, and would find her demand outrageous and shocking.
Edwin gripped the reins. It couldn’t be helped. He’d already made a promise, and he would keep it no matter what. Though he sincerely hoped she didn’t deny him her bed for long. He found himself extraordinarily eager to consummate their marriage. Whenever it happened.
Moments later they reached the solicitor’s office, which was rather empty so early in the morning. He was glad of that. They’d be able to take care of their business and be off to the church before it got too late. Even Lady Margrave, as negligent a chaperone as she was, would fret if they stayed gone too long. And the last thing they needed was her fluttering around in a panic, alerting Durand to what was going on.
As soon as they were seated before his solicitor, the man once more expressed concern that the young lady didn’t have a male member of the family there to look after her interests. He didn’t remain concerned for long. A few moments’ conversation with an irate Clarissa quickly convinced him not to worry about that.