Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Indeed. Recent events have… elevated my concerns,” I said slowly, meeting his gaze. “I believe I have less time than I thought to secure a marriage partner.”
Ezra sat back, resting his right ankle over his left knee. “Is that so? Would the spring ball have anything to do with that?”
“Perhaps.” I gently set my teacup down on the saucer. “Therefore, I believe it is in my best interest to pursue an engagement, regardless of its validity.”
“Are you suggesting a contract engagement?”
“That’s exactly it,” I replied coolly. “I would like you, Lord Ezra, to agree to be my fiancé for the next six months.”
He chuckled. “My, aren’t you bold, my lady?”
“You said yourself that Duke Alansia is pressuring you to get married. This would buy us both some time, would it not?”
“I’ve already told you I’m interested in you. How can you be so sure that I’d be willing to let you go at the end of it?”
Ah. Finally, a man who questioned the end of a fake relationship.
In reality, I couldn’t guarantee such a thing. All things considered, Ezra was absolutely the kind of man I could fall in love with, given the right circumstances.
If only that were the situation I found myself in.
For me, right now, Ezra Alansia was little more than a tool to help me achieve my goal of survival. Realistically, everyone around me that I’d created a relationship with could fit into the same box as he did.
Even Vivi.
It didn’t mean I didn’t care for them. I did. Greatly so, in the case of the ladies I’d bonded with since Lady Georgina’s tea party.
But caring for someone didn’t mean I wasn’t using them.
I was using them to survive. I had to use them to survive.
Ezra was not an exception to that rule.
I shrugged a shoulder. “I can’t be sure of that, of course. Perhaps we will fall madly in love over the next six months or perhaps we’ll be glad to see the back of one another at the end of it. However, I believe that every relationship serves a purpose, no matter how genuine or fake one is. There’s no reason that one between us cannot do the same.”
“You’re quite correct. I must admit that I—”
The doors to the sitting room burst open, and Caldwell appeared between them. He was wide-eyed in a way I’d never seen before, and I froze. He radiated a panic that almost vibrated off him, fizzing through the air like an electric current that prickled at my skin.
“Pardon me for interrupting. Lady Alicia, the marquess would like to speak with you immediately,” he said, keeping his voice steady.
I picked up my teacup. Would he somehow know how my heart was thumping in my chest? “Caldwell, I am otherwise engaged. Please tell Father I will be with him when I’m done with Lord Ezra.”
“He insisted you go to his office now, my lady.” Caldwell bowed his head. “I’m afraid I’ve been instructed to accompany you until you see him.”
“Then at least allow me to see my guest out.” I stood up with a sigh. “I’m terribly sorry, Lord Ezra. It appears there’s a pressing issue I must attend to.”
Ezra stood up without batting an eyelid and followed me out. When we reached the front door, Caldwell opened it, and Ezra took my hand.
“My lady, it was an honour to steal your time this afternoon.” He swept his lips across my knuckles, then pulled me in close, peering down at me with a smirk on his face. “Rest assured, I will go home and discuss what we just spoke about with my father immediately.”
Thank God I blushed, because I wasn’t sure how else to respond to such a bold declaration.
Was that him accepting my proposal of a contract engagement?
Damn it, Caldwell! I just needed five more minutes to seal the deal!
“We mustn’t keep your father waiting, Lady Alicia,” Caldwell said, ushering me away from the door.
I offered Ezra a half-hearted wave as I was swept away by Caldwell. Bella quickly hurried after me after giving Annie strict instructions to ensure Ezra made it to his carriage, and that’s when it hit.
Like a tsunami.
There were few things that would make my father summon me to his office so urgently. Not when I was meeting with an acceptable suitor.
Something was not going the way I wanted it to.
And I feared I knew exactly what this thing was.
I was not going to like what he had to say to me, that much was for sure.
“Lady Alicia for you, my lord.” Caldwell opened the door to my father’s office without knocking. “May we fetch you some tea?”
Father tugged his glasses away from his face and waved his hand, dismissing both Caldwell and Bella. “Sit down, Alicia.”
“What’s the emergency, Father? You know I had a meeting with Lord Ezra just now, and—”