Page 56 of Courting Claudia
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “But I’m glad you came when you did.” She paused before asking, “What did he mean that you wanted to marry me for the story? What story?”
“I have no idea. He’s angry, nothing more. Pay him no mind.” He gave her a smile. “Have you and Poppy discussed the wedding plans?”
“No.” She chewed at her lip. “I wasn’t positive. I mean, I still want to allow you to back out if you wish. I will be content alone.”
“We’re not discussing this again. We’re getting married. You and Poppy decide on the plans—I have the ceremony set for Saturday.”
“That doesn’t give us much time.”
“You’re right. You had better get busy. One more thing before I go back to work. I came here to give you this.” He held out a ring. “To make our engagement official.”
The gold band slid easily onto her finger. She looked down at it; three oval sapphires sat between two smaller diamonds. It was breathtaking.
“The stones match your eyes,” he said, then averted his glance.
“I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you.” She leaned up and kissed him.
“You’re welcome. Are you positive you’re all right?”
“Yes. He took me by surprise, but he didn’t hurt me.”
“Very well. I’ll come check on you later.”
Derrick left with the taste of her still on his lips. He knew he needed to tell her the truth. He hated to start a marriage on a lie. But he couldn’t risk her backing out now, not after meeting her father. He was a tyrant of the worst kind, and Derrick would be damned if he allowed her to go back into that house.
So he would wait until after the ceremony, when she was safely his, and then he would tell her.
When he’d arrived and found Richard on her, his world colored red before him. His only thought had been to get Richard’s dirty hands and mouth off her. Had he not arrived when he did, there was no telling what Richard would have done to her. The thought made his breakfast turn over in his stomach. Bastard. He’d kill him if he ever touched her again.
Richard had mentioned a story. Implied that Derrick was marrying Claudia to discover the truth of some matter. Derrick had no doubt that Kennington hid a few secrets, most men of power did. It was unlikely though that Claudia knew about any of them, much less would she divulge them if she did. She would protect her father at all costs. Derrick knew that.
And there still remained the truth that Derrick sought no such hidden story. He was marrying Claudia because he’d ruined her. Besides, it was not above Richard to completely fabricate something to take the focus off something else. That something else, no doubt, was the real mystery. But none of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was Claudia’s safety.
She was safe now for the time being, and soon she would be in his protection, in his home, as his wife. He certainly hadn’t set out to get another wife, but fate had seen to it that he would have one.
It felt strange to be that protective toward someone, but Claudia was to be his wife. She’d bear his children. And he’d do whatever he could to keep her safe.
“What the devil are you doing here?” Derrick asked. Mason must have left for the day, else he’d have announced the visitor.
Richard, snide as ever, strolled into Derrick’s office and took a seat before Derrick could offer or decline one. “I have a proposition for you.”
Derrick cocked one eyebrow. “Before you waste your breath, I’m not interested.”
Richard gave him a snarl of a smile. “Oh, but I believe you will be. You see, it’s about your wife-to-be.”
“I thought I told you yesterday to stay the hell away from her. Clearly I should have killed you on the spot.”
Richard clicked his tongue. “And hang for killing an aristocrat? That’s hardly a way to begin a marriage.”
“What the hell do you want?”
“Money, of course.” He shrugged.
“You are vile.”
“Yes, well, I also hold the secrets to the biggest political scandal this country has ever seen.”
“I doubt it. And what does that have to do with Claudia?”