I did.
I made a simple request, really, to a woman I’d always held in a platonic regard. A lady Princess Mary abhors because her parents’ Somerhaven estate has always rivaled Mum’s duchy.
Maddy was the first person to attend to my bruises when Father got abusive and Burt was away. She was a worthy choice until I set eyes on Luxury Whitson.
“Maddy, the Queen didn’t sanction the engagement. I came to you. It was an agreement between two friends—”
“So, this other woman, I hear that she's barely even that. More a child, Victor.” Maddy frowns, her thin eyebrows crinkling together with distaste. “I hear—”
“Judge your fucking words, Maddy,” I glare at her under a new light, darkened in thoughts of murder.
A nervous hand smooths down the side of her dress. “Listen, the Queen understands. She'll allow you to—”
“Allow?” I cut in.
“Oh, goodness. Shall I monitorallmy words? You and I had a plan, sure. And yes, your first consideration should be to the Queen of England. No, we did not officially announce our engagement. My cock-upto believe you’d follow through.”
“Alright? We’ve united on that front. We were not ever, nor will we ever, be engaged.” I stare deeply into Madeline’s eyes. “My solicitors gave you a contract. You agreed to said terms, although waived your own legal teams’ advice, which I offered to recompensate.”
“I signed the contract.”
“Which stipulated termsifwe were ever to marry, and I assure you, that is no longer a question.”
Moonlight waxes her narrowed gaze. “That injudicious contract only benefited one person, Victor.I’ve money!Lots of it.We marry, you fuck every whore under God’s sun, and perhaps I bare a chi—”
“No children,” I grit out. “Madeline Elliot, line four of section two indicates that consummating our marriage was not required. The price of your agreement.”
“You’re so insufferable, Victor. I’m your friend. I didn’t accept your terms for anything other than my position asyour friend. Victor,” worry bleeds into her tone, “we all get your reasoning.”
“ ‘My reasoning?’ Am I to understand that you're all fucking over it?” I scoff.
“No! You’re an untamable bloke. Look at me. I’ve not the allure to secure your attention for—not even for a single, bloody night!”
I fork a hand through my hair. “What are youonabout, Maddy? You’re gorg?”
“Come off it, Victor. I’m not. Nevertheless, if I got an offer—”
“If you received a proposal and the feelings were mutual, you knew to respond accordingly. I distinctively recall a similar discussion last October.”
“Yes! The last time we had a fucking chin-wagging because you won’t talk to?”
“Madeline, you are spiraling. We never announced an engagement; therefore, we are not. End of fucking discussion.” I straighten my tie, prepared to return to Mum’s soirée, long enough to bid everyone good evening.
“Because of my grandmother’s ailment? Was it all just timing? And who should I thank for the get-well wishes, Burt or Monica? She’s a tad rough around the edges, although Monica has a knack for buying a girl jewelry.”
I stroll away from the entrance and tower down over her. “Maddy, if England were aware of our pending marriage, then my allegiance would be to you. Since the country is not, I’ll tell mygrandmummythat we’ve had a change of heart.”
Face contorted, Maddy reaches a hand for my jaw. “So, there’s awe?”
“I,Madeline. Thewereference was to spare this sudden confusion of yours.”
“You’re referring to my feelings?” Her gasp peppers across my jaw.
“Yes, those. We’ve never shared any affections. Furthermore, I will not marry you,ever. Since you’ve grown so fond of Monica, she will draw up alternate documents, same compensation.”
“Shove the money up your arse, Victor.”
I glance toward the entrance to the ballroom where two guards have now blocked the doors. Perhaps our discussion had grown in volume. I growl, “Take the money, Maddy, for your squandered time. I would.”