“So no family at all?” I asked.
“I have Clara.”
Lucien’s gaze narrowed. I knew he could smell a weak point. I could sense it too in the way Merrick’s fingers tensed on his chair.
“Is she a relative of yours?” I asked lightly.
His lids flickered and dropped. “She is the daughter of my former right hand who passed about six years ago. I support her and pay for her college and when the time comes, I’ll make sure she marries off to an important man with a shitload of money.”
Lucien held back so I could slide in and make my move.
“Oh? What does she study?” I said casually. “I know there are some prestigious schools out near Providence.”
“She is getting a double major in Astronomy and Folklore,” he said, a glint of something that looked like pride in his eyes. “Not the most useful thing, but in our organization none of our women work unless they really want to, so she won’t have to worry about it. And I don’t think she intends to work.”
“Smart and, I’m sure, beautiful,” I said. “You’re lucky to have such an asset. I’m sure she’ll make a valuable diplomatic opportunity.”
His mouth twitched, his eyes fixed on me. “Yes, she will.”
We never ended up talking about the alliance. I could tell Merrick wasn’t in the mood and we were all feeling loose and drunk from the wine at dinner. A little before midnight, Lucien excused himself and went up to bed. Cosimo followed soon after and I was left sitting opposite Merrick. He swirled the dregs of his bourbon and gazed into the fireplace.
“I should probably get some rest,” I said, rising.
He turned, looking up at me with a dangerous glint to his eyes. “I know what this was, Mr. Calo,” he said abruptly. “I know what you’re all trying to do.”
“We’re trying to build an alliance, Mr. Llwyd,” I said.
“You’re trying to make me trust you, to make me like you enough that I won’t ask for anything in return,” he mused. He cocked his head, rising to his feet. The shadows from the fire cut across his tall body.
“We do seek a peaceful alliance,” I said.
“I see.”
“We’re not trying to trick you.”
“No,” he said. “I’ll give you that, you’re not trying to stab my back. But the Welsh organization is secretive and powerful. We’ve never had an alliance with anyone before, much less with you lot. There are some things I find…off-putting about your organization, especially how you treat some of your women.”
“Lucien is a good boss,” I said swiftly. “He walked into a mess and he’s turned it around in less than a year. As for our women, I really don’t know what you mean.”
“You treat them a bit archaically.” Merrick cocked his head.
“We do our best not to, but sometimes it can happen.”
“Doesn’t that bother you? Would you trade your future daughter for an alliance.”
I shrugged. “It would depend on the man. Likely not.”
“See, all our marriages are arranged the way the elite, upper classes arrange their marriages. The way politicians do. But we don’t trade our women like goods. We are gentlemen and we consider our women our most valuable assets, our most precious.”
“But they are assets to you,” I pointed out.
He dipped his head. “Are we not all possessions to one another?”
“I am no one’s possession.”
His eyes glinted as he watched me with a contemplative expression on his face. “Do you want to know something interesting about me? My kink happens to be fucking the wives of the men I do business with. With their permission of course, I’m not a homewrecker.”
I stared at him, every nerve in my body tingling. He stepped closer, circling the chair until we stood chest to chest in the dark. His gaze flicked over me and a slight smile crossed his mouth.