Chapter 20

Mabel kept her expression flat. "It sounds like a man who has swallowed a dictionary."Lucien took the page. "There is more."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "There is always more with lawyers."Lucien looked at her. "We need to tell the trustees everything."Mabel frowned. "The contract?"Lucien nodded. "The contract, the payment, the purpose."Mabel's stomach tightened. "If we tell them, the marriage fails."Lucien kept his voice steady. "Yes."Mabel studied him. "You lose the railway."Lucien nodded. "Possibly."Mabel folded her arms. "And I lose the second half of my money."Lucien met her gaze. "I will pay it."Mabel frowned. "From what? Your accounts are being robbed."Lucien kept his voice calm. "I can sell the London townhouse."Mabel shook her head. "That is absurd."Lucien held her gaze. "I will not lie to save the trust."Mabel stared at him. He had written a third rule to protect himself, yet he was prepared to surrender everything rather than use the arrangement against the trustees.Mabel kept her voice quiet. "You have broken a rule."Lucien shook his head. "No. I am keeping it."Mabel studied him. "You are telling the truth about the contract."Lucien nodded. "Yes."Mabel narrowed her eyes. "You have lied to yourself about how much you care whether I leave."Lucien went still. Sir Osgood looked at the ceiling. Mabel realized what she had said; she felt heat rise to her face.Mabel cleared her throat. "That was also a joke."Lucien kept his voice dry. "It was a poor one."Mabel pointed at him. "You are stealing my lines."Lucien smiled slightly. "I am learning quickly."The trustees met that afternoon in the old music room. Lucien sat beside Mabel. Lady Theodora held the forged statement; Reverend Thorne held a biscuit; Sir Osgood held the contract.Sir Osgood looked at Mabel. "You entered this marriage for financial convenience."Mabel nodded. "Yes."Sir Osgood frowned. "And you intended to deceive the trustees."

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him

A Lone Rancher Sheltered an Injured Apache Woman Overnight — At Dawn, the Entire Ridge Filled With Riders

A Cowboy Rode Into an Apache Marriage Ceremony Looking for His Horse — Then the Chief’s Daughter Pointed at Him

They Left a Young Widow to Die Beside the Santa Fe Trail — Then the Man She Once Blamed for Her Husband’s Death Found Her

HOA Karen Blocked My Driveway — Then Her Tow Truck Driver Read the Sign and Refused

An HOA President Took A Disabled Girl Out Of Her Wheelchair For Her Son — Then The Girl’s Father Showed Up

News in the same category

Every Lady Wanted the Duke — But He Chose the Chubby Girl Who Didn’t Even Notice Him