Free The Secret Rose by Laura Landon

jeopardy of losing is all that is important.”
    He stepped closer and glared at her with a look that held even more resolve. “My offer still stands. Marriage is your only option if you want to keep Fallen Oaks. Otherwise, I will call for a carriage to take you to London.”
    A violent shudder wracked her body. She had no choice.
    She walked to the other side of the room and stared out the window as if an answer would magically appear. But there was no answer. No way to keep Fallen Oaks. No way to save the convent. She had no choice but to say the words she swore she would not.
    She turned around and faced him squarely. “Very well, Mr. Cambridge. I will agree to marry you.”
    She wanted to take the words back as soon as she’d said them, but knew it was too late. She had to buy time, time to figure out another way to keep Fallen Oaks.
    “You think you have won, but you have not.” She didn’t even try to keep the acid out of her words. “I will agree to marry you, but not without conditions.”
    He lifted his brows, waiting for her to speak.
    “First, we will not marry until my year of mourning for my father is over.” She took a step toward him, as if such a move would validate the rest of her demands. “Next, I will have it in writing that you will adequately provide for the convent and the tenants who live on Fallen Oaks from the profits made from the ships. You will never—” She paused and took one more step toward him. “You will never neglect the convent or the tenants or the manor house. And,” she said, taking a deep breath, “I will have the deed to Fallen Oaks in my name as soon as possible, as you will have ownership of the ships. We will go to London to see Sydney Craddock immediately. He will draw up the papers.”
    He took a step toward her, the look in his eyes leveled at her. “Do you have any other demands?”
    “No.”
    “Very well. Then here is my answer. We will not wait one year, but will marry in the spring. Since you have been in mourning for the past year due to your mother’s death, I’m sure no one will object to a small, quiet affair in a few months’ time. After all, you cannot be expected to remain alone and unprotected now that your father is gone.”
    She flashed him a hostile look, but he only smiled at her.
    “Society has greatly underestimated you,” he said with a good deal of humor in his voice. “They think you are like all other women, weak and incapable of taking care of yourself.”
    He paced the room, clasping his hands behind his back. The look on his face had turned even more serious. “The other demands are acceptable. You need never worry over the sisters in the convent or the tenants who work the land. I will always see to the needs of those for whom I am responsible. And, if it is important for you to have the deed to Fallen Oaks in your name, then you will have it.
    “Of course, you realize what a marriage between us would mean?” The tone of his voice was flat, hollow. Resigned. “I have no title.”
    She stiffened. “You think I am only interested in gaining a title? I am not even interested in gaining a husband.”
    “How reassuring.” He paused with his shoulder against the mantel, his arms crossed over his chest. “Not exactly the perfect beginning for a marriage.”
    “It was your demand to marry. Not mine.”
    “I only offered you a way to keep Fallen Oaks.”
    “And I only agreed because you gave me no choice.” She turned her head. She refused to let herself think what it would mean to be married to Ethan Cambridge.
    He pushed himself away from the fireplace and took a step toward her. “I did not threaten to destroy them. I just do not have the time to stay here and work Fallen Oaks as it needs to be worked. England is no longer my home. I am here only until Stephen returns.”
    “What if Stephen does not come back?”
    “He will. When he recovers from whatever happened to make him leave, he will come back. Then I can go home.