Free Microsoft Word - Amanda Quick - Mystique.doc by radhika.iyer Page B

The whole thing seems
    very efficient and most practical from my point of view."
    In spite of what he had told Alice, Hugh had no intention of using passion as an explanation
    for forging this hasty match. He and Ralf were both men of the world. They each knew that
    lust was a ludicrous reason for contracting such an important business arrangement as
    marriage.
    Looking back on the incident in Alice's study chamber, Hugh was not certain why he had
    even broached the possibility of using passion as an excuse. He frowned, wondering what had
    put the notion into his head. He never allowed himself to be influenced by passion.
    Ralf watched him with a distinctly uneasy expression. "You believe that marrying Alice will
    be an efficient move, my lord?"
    Hugh nodded brusquely. "I require a wife to see to my new household. But I do not wish to
    invest a great deal of time and effort in the business of securing one. You know how
    complicated that can become. Negotiation can carry on for months, even years."
    "True, nevertheless, Alice is somewhat unusual and not merely because of her advanced age."
    "No matter. I feel certain she will do nicely. And I have too many other tasks requiring my
    immediate attention to be bothered with a long search for another bride."
    "I understand, sir. Indeed, I do. A man in your position does not want to be burdened with a
    lot of fuss and bother over a bride."
    "Aye."
    "No denying a man does have to acquire one. The sooner the better, I suppose. One has to see
    to one's heirs and lands."
    "Aye," Hugh said. "Heirs and lands."
    "So. You find Alice convenient."
    "Very."
    Ralf fiddled with a chunk of bread. His eyes darted to Hugh's impassive face and quickly slid
    aside. "Ah, pray forgive me, sir, but I must ask whether or not you have discussed this matter
    with Alice herself."
    Hugh raised one brow. "You are concerned with her feelings on the subject?"
    "Nay, nay, 'tis not that," Ralf assured him hastily. " 'Tis merely that in my experience, it is
    exceedingly difficult to persuade Alice to cooperate in a plan if she is not inclined toward it
    in the first place, if you see what I mean. That woman always seems to have plans of her
    own."
    "Have no fears on that point. Your niece and I have already agreed on this arrangement."
    "You have?" Ralf looked startled by that news.
    "Aye."
    "And you're certain that she is in agreement with the scheme?"
    "Aye."
    "Astounding. Most astounding." For the first time a cautious flame of hope appeared in Ralf's
    eyes.
    Hugh gave up chewing on the hard crust. He tossed it aside. "Come, let us get down to the
    business at hand."
    Ralf's expression promptly turned crafty. "Very well. What is your price? I warn you, I
    cannot afford to give Alice much in the way of a dowry. The harvest was somewhat less than
    satisfactory this year."
    "Was it?"
    "Aye. Very poor. And then there were the expenses involved in maintaining Alice and her
    brother. Admittedly Benedict was not a great problem, but Alice, I regret to say, is rather
    costly to keep."
    "I am prepared to offer a chest of pepper and one of good ginger as a betrothal gift."
    "She is always demanding money for her books and her collection of stones and other useless
    bits—" Ralf broke off, dumbfounded, as Hugh's words sank in. "A chest of pepper and one of
    ginger?"
    "Aye."
    "Sir, I do not know what to say."
    "Say that you will accept the bride gift so that I may have done with this matter. It grows
    late."
    " You wish to give me a dowry for Alice?"
    " 'Tis customary, is it not?"
    "Not when the bride goes to her lord with nothing in hand but the clothes on her back," Ralf
    retorted. "You do understand that she brings no land with her, sir."
    "I have lands of my own."
    "Aye, well, so long as you comprehend the situation." Ralf's expression was one of
    bewilderment. "In truth, sir, I expected you to demand a large dowry from me in return for
    taking her off my hands."
    "I am prepared to take Alice as she is." Hugh allowed