Free Virginia Henley by Seduced

point in my being coy and beating about the bush. I have come to look into my finances.” She had the most attractive husky voice with the hint of a drawl, and he found himself almost mesmerized. Her beautiful eyes widened in expectancy.
    “Your finances?” he repeated blankly.
    “When you came to Stoke you discussed only my brother’s affairs. How does my father’s death affect
my
finances, Mr. Watson?”
    “My dear Lady Lamb, you have no finances. In the past you were your father’s responsibility, at present you are your brother’s responsibility, and in the future you will be your husband’s responsibility.”
    Antonia bristled until green sparks flew from her eyes. “If this mythical husband you speak of does not materialize, may I use my dowry to help support myself?”
    “My dear Lady Lamb, you will have no trouble attracting a husband, I assure you.”
    How dare he patronize her? “By that I take it
you
are willing to marry me, Mr. Watson?”
    “I should be more than willing, my lady, if I did not already possess a wife.”
    Antonia almost shouted,
You cannot possess a wife,
but upon reflection she realized that men did just that. She took a deep breath to calm herself. “I’m sorry, Mr. Watson. I’m not usually so rude. Was I left anything at all in my father’s will?”
    “Nothing, I’m afraid, but of course your dowry is in trust and it won’t be affected.”
    “How much is my dowry? And in the event I do not marry, may I use the money to help support myself?” she repeated.
    “It is not my place to disclose the amount of your dowry, my lady.”
    “Whose place is it, sir?” she demanded.
    “Why, your guardian’s place, of course. Your father named Mr. Adam Savage as your legal guardian, and it is his permission you must seek on any and every matter. As must your brother.”
    “You mean this stranger on the other side of the world rules what we can and cannot do? That is preposterous! I shall write to my mother immediately and inform her this is intolerable.”
    “Your mother cannot alter the law, my dear. Your father’s will would have to be contested to change the situation.”
    “I see,” she said with quiet resignation. “This Savage person can interfere in my life any way he wishes. Lord Lamb needs money. Will he really have to go begging hat in hand to this Savage?” Antonia asked with distaste.
    “My dear lady, Mr. Adam Savage is in total control of the purse strings, so much so that he could spend the money himself, if he so desired.”
    Antonia’s mouth fell open. Well, if that was the case, she’d damn well spend his money and see how he liked it! A diabolical plan regarding Edenwood began to form in her mind.
    When Antonia returned to Curzon Street, Frances Jersey was ensconced in the salon with Roz. “Antonia, I’m so sorry you’ve been deprived of your season. It’s such an advantage to begin husband hunting at sixteen.”
    “Men! I’d like to shoot the lot of them,” Antonia announced, removing her hat and stabbing it with her hatpin.
    “Roz, you’ve prepared her beautifully for society. Men deserve to be treated like dogs.”
    “Speaking of which, what’s that puppy, the Prince of Wales, been up to lately?” Roz asked.
    “Well, you recall how he escaped from under the tyranny of the King last summer by taking refuge with his uncle, the disreputable Duke of Cumberland?”
    “Yes, at that seaside place with the peculiar name, Brighthelmstone,” Roz said, nodding.
    “Well, the Prince has taken a house for the summer and the place has become so popular that on weekends London is positively deserted. They have even changed the name to Brighton.”
    “Seawater is supposed to have therapeutic qualities, but it didn’t do a thing for George’s swollen glands. I hear he’s taken to wearing high neckcloths to disguise it,” Roz said.
    “Yes, and wouldn’t you just know it, high neckcloths have become the latest rage, just as Brighton has. The smart set