Finally, and for the first time—as if he hadn’t been interested in seeing me before—his dark-brown eyes locked on me in an unwavering, scrutinizing gaze. Was he sizing me up? Trying to determine if I was worth the money my parents would undoubtedly require?
Beauty was something I was known for. Certainly nothing to be proud of. It came with good genes not hard work, but it could be helpful. His eyes lingered on my natural red hair, something that seemed to fascinate the male species, especially combined with my brown eyes.
He smiled lazily, the air of the barest interest clinging to his high cheekbones, mocking me in the most infuriating way.
Despite my wish to meet this strange man with only contempt, my body had a mind of its own, warming embarrassingly as I discreetly scanned his body.
Dad motioned toward me. “This is my daughter, Jean.”
As if Mr. Chanler couldn’t have figured that out by himself. I forced my face into a sophisticated smile and glided toward him. Mom had spent countless hours teaching me the floating gait.
Mr. Chanler didn’t seem impressed by my motion skills, but he definitely checked out my body. I extended my hand and droned as was expected: “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He should have kissed my hand and said, “The pleasure is all mine,” but instead he smirked, leaned forward to press a kiss to my cheek and murmured, “Did your parents put those words into your lovely mouth?”
He straightened with a lazy smile as if he hadn’t just broken etiquette. I stared at him, half indignant, half intrigued by this man’s audacity.
“Why don’t we go into the living room and sit down for a chat and tea time?” Mom suggested.
“I don’t have much time, and I’m a man who likes to cut to the chase,” Mr. Chanler said. “You offered my father a business deal.”
Dad spluttered. “I offered you my precious daughter’s hand in marriage, that’s hardly a business deal.”
“In turn for financial compensation from what I recall.”
My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe he discussed this disgusting topic openly in front of me. Of course, I knew what this marriage was, but in our world, people lived a lie for good reason. Obviously, not Mr. Chanler.
Dad’s face turned red. “Marriage should always offer new opportunities to both parties.”
“And what kind of new opportunities do you offer to me?”
His eyes slid over me as if he knew the answer to the question. I bit my tongue, but I could feel my patience running dry.
“Our name,” Dad said, getting more and more flustered by Mr. Chanler’s demeanor.
“There have been unpleasant rumors about money troubles associated with your name in recent years…”
I’d had enough. “Our name still holds more power than yours ever will. Money can only buy you so much, definitely not respect. Chanler…Nouveau riche, am I right?”
I cringed inwardly at my harsh words. It wasn’t me who cared about status and social standing but my mother. I was expected to take the fall for my family, or rather take an undesirable husband as long as he provided the necessary funds to keep up our family’s current standard of living. Words were my only weapon.
A muscle in Mr. Chanler’s cheek twitched, and his eyes hardened. “Not quite as new as your family’s money troubles, I reckon. We’ve been around for a while, but history lessons probably aren’t part of your curriculum. Memorizing the next fashion week schedule and manicure appointments certainly takes up all of your headspace.”
Dad didn’t even blink an eye. The Chanlers must be stinking rich if he let their heir insult me and our family like that.
Mr. Chanler leaned a bit closer to me and whispered, “And you’re right, money can’t buy everything, but it seems to buy me a ticket into your undoubtedly expensive silk panties. If rumor has it right, it’s uncharted territory.”
His audacity!
“If you think I’ll let you anywhere near my panties after how rude you were, you’re very mistaken, Mr. Chanler.”
His eyes twinkled with amusement. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy offending me. Was this some sort of twisted game to him?
“I’m not averse to a marriage with your daughter,” he drawled as he took a step back from me to face my father.
I blinked. “You can’t be─”
Dad interrupted me. “That’s good to hear, Mr. Chanler.”
A vein in my temple began pounding furiously. Mom gripped my upper arm. “Don’t mess this up for us, Jean. We’ll be ruined if we don’t find a good match for you soon.”
I gritted my teeth so hard, the pounding in my temples turned to a headache.
Mr. Chanler slanted me an amused look. “Your daughter doesn’t look too excited about marrying me.”
Every pair of eyes focused on me.
“I need some time for consideration,” I said in a fake polite voice.
Mom’s nails dug into my upper arm and Dad looked close to a coronary.
“Why don’t we take a stroll in your gardens and maybe that’ll speed up your decision,” Mr. Chanler suggested with a smile that raised my hackles.
I gave a curt nod and led him through our living room and out into our gardens. His eyes darted to the empty pool, but he didn’t comment. My cheeks heated. “I doubt there’s anything you can say that’ll speed up my decision.”
“Your family’s main business is close to bankruptcy. The vultures are ready to rip into it. And I intend a hostile takeover in the next couple of weeks.”
I froze. I wasn’t very involved in business, but I knew Dad had to sell company shares over the past few years. “And if I marry you, you won’t?”
“We’ll be family.”
I glared up at him. My pride battled with my reasoning. My family needed this money if we wanted to keep up our lifestyle and our good name.
He bent down, his lips dangerously close to my mouth.
“I hate beards,” I muttered to spite him.
He chuckled. “You’ll learn to love them,” he said.
My pride won. “Maybe I don’t want to. I need more time to consider your offer.”
Something shifted in his eyes. “You’ll allow your family to rush into disaster?”
I didn’t say anything. He was right. Father didn’t have a lucky business sense. Without additional money, we’d be doomed.
“Maybe you’d be willing to consider a different offer. I’ll refrain from taking over your father’s firm and even invest in his newest endeavor, in turn for a night with you.”
My breath lodged in my throat and heat blasted my cheeks, but he kept talking in a low, compelling voice. “One night in which I get to claim every part of you I desire, in which I take every first you have to offer, a night of pure lust.”
I took a step back, dizzy and shocked from his words but also dangerously intrigued. “You must be insane,” I growled. “I can’t be bought…” Realizing my mistake, I added, “Like that. I’m not a prostitute. You won’t get a night with me.”
He smiled knowingly. “Then you should say yes to my marriage proposal.”
“I need more time to consider your offer.” I hated myself and my parents for putting me in a situation where I was even still considering his offer.