Post by Meomi on Jun 3, 2012 8:53:15 GMT -7
A WICKED PROPOSITION
..::Chapter 7::..
When Catherine awoke that morning the space beside her was empty. Gabriel was gone.
Catherine had doubts she would be allowed to leave without Clarice's consent. Some nagging intuition told her Clarice would refuse. She didn't plan to wait around to ask. One way or another, she was leaving here.
Clarice: Let us speak plainly, my lord. I have an investment in the girl's future. You must realize what I could make? Losing Catherine will affect my profits considerably.
Gabriel: How much do you want to release her, Clarice? Name a d**ned price and let us be done with this haggling. She has been here one day. How much could she have possibly cost you in that time?
Clarice: There are my lost revenues to consider. Do you realize how many requests for her I have already? Her absence will no doubt anger many of my best clients.
Gabriel: How much do you want, Clarice? Let us not quibble. I mean to take her with me when I leave.
Clarice: I think three thousand pounds most fair to cover my loss of such a rare beauty, my lord.
Gabriel: I think you are robbing me blind, that is what I think.
Gabriel growled and wrote out the bank draft nonetheless and tossed it to her.
Clarice: Take her with my blessing, my lord. Do not be surprised if her innocence is not the only secret she has.
Gabriel got up and left Clarice's office.
Gabriel doubted the girl would argue his buying her debt from Clarice. Surely becoming his mistress for a time was better than working for Clarice her whole life?
Nicholas was waiting for him in the foyer when he arrived.
Nicholas: What business did you have with Clarice? Do not tell me you found fault with her new girl.
Gabriel: I paid the girl's debt off, against my better judgment. Let us hope I don't come to regret this. She goes with us. I will go fetch the girl and meet you at the coach.
Catherine was preparing to pack what little she could carry when the door opened. Her eyes widened in surprise to see Gabriel stride back into the room.
Catherine: Lord Iverleigh, why have you returned? I thought you had gone.
Gabriel: I just came from speaking with Clarice down below. You are going with me, my dear.
Catherine: Go with you? What do you mean?
Gabriel: I paid off your debt to her. You are leaving with me, Catherine. You could try to appear more pleased for what it cost me.
Catherine: You paid off my debt to her? Why would you do that?
Gabriel: Come now, paying off your debt to me would be far more pleasant for us both, don't you agree? A mere 'thank you, Gabriel' would suffice.
Catherine: I thank you for it, of course, I would ask what you intend for me now, my lord?
Gabriel: I see no reason for you not to become my mistress until your debt to me is paid.
Catherine: How much did you pay her?
Gabriel: Too much, but you are worth it, my sweet.
Catherine: How much do I owe you now, my lord?
Gabriel: Three thousand pounds.
Catherine: You realize, she has outright robbed you, my lord? I do not owe her even close to that amount!
Gabriel: I would have paid more, my dear. You might at least appear to show some gratitude, girl. You make me question my niceness.
Catherine: Gratitude, is that what you think I should feel? Do you realize how long it will take me to pay off such a debt? There is nothing nice about what you did at all!
Gabriel: I look forward to the arrangement.
Catherine: Surely you cannot think of holding me to this? Can we not work out some other arrangement, my lord?
Gabriel: No, I think not. I consider it as much an investment as she did.
Catherine forced herself to get her wits about her. Her mind was racing at how she would get away from Gabriel. Lilly would no doubt be pleased she had ensnared him so easily. Catherine was in no position to argue it.
Catherine: It appears you have bought yourself a mistress, my lord.
To be continued...
Click for Chapter 8