Free The Bridal Contract (Darrington family Book 3) by Sandra Sookoo Page B

she would have pulled her skirt up. “A handhold here, a stately peck on the cheek there. Making use of an endearment or two around various family members or anyone else.”
    Eloisa chewed her bottom lip. “When will you present the funds to Lord Everly?”
    “At the end of the contracted period.” Despite the humor in his eyes, his expression drifted into hard lines. “After all, we don’t know each other well, and how do I know you won’t leave Brighton after the money changes hands, leaving me without your end of the bargain fulfilled?
    Ah, now there was the cool attitude of the viscount she’d wondered at. A thrill went down her spine. “Very shrewd. How long will the contract last?”
    “Thirty days should be enough time to trick my mother. Plus, we’ll need to distract Lord Everly somehow. Mayhap we can secure all of this before then, I have no idea. No doubt there will be events you and I will need to attend to show we’re in earnest.” His grin returned and banished the serious expression of before. “Plus, it’s enough time to let Lord Everly assume he’s got Helen in hand. The payoff will be a nice little coup and make him sputter.”
    She studied him for long moments. It would solve her immediate problems, this was true. Helen would be free. Charles would have no debt—at least to Everly. Oliver would keep his meddling mother at bay. “And afterward? What do we do then?”
    “I suppose we’ll go back to being neighbors until such time that my ship’s repairs are completed and I sail again.” He shrugged and the gesture pulled his coat of slate blue tight over shoulders that had been worked and built from presumably years on the ship or in the military. “You’ll resume life doing whatever it is you do.”
    “I work at the local lending library. As it is, I’ve been absent from that position due to Helen’s issue.” She frowned. Truly, was it as maddening as it sounded to agree to an engagement to a man who knew absolutely nothing about her?
    “Then, this sham of an engagement can only bring good things. It will serve to let both of us meet our immediate goals.”
    Yes, but what of the future? Already, if she were given to technicalities, if someone with authority came into the parlor and saw them alone together, her reputation would be compromised. For once she thanked God for Charles and his wastrel ways and her already comprised virtue. They wouldn’t need to observe Society rules as strictly as if she had a reputation to guard or a family who wasn’t already on the fringes of said Society.
    “So, Miss Hawthorne,” he continued and took one of her hands. “Will you accept an engagement for the explicit term of our bridal contract?”
    Would an engagement, even under such a sham as this one, break her promise to Peter? Surely not since the ultimate outcome would have her not wedding the viscount. It was merely a favor, which would benefit both her and Oliver. She then imagined how happy Helen would be, and she nodded. “Yes, I believe I will.”
    “Excellent!” He sprang from the settee. “I’ll have my man of business draw up the paperwork then deliver it here for your brother’s signature.” He eyeballed her. “Charles will consent to sign off on the agreement, won’t he?”
    “I shall bully him into it as it will solve his problem as well as Helen’s.” Oliver needn’t have a worry about that.
    “Very good.” He moved with a sense of urgency as he closed the distance between him and Daniela, scooped her up then twirled her about the room. “Eloisa will be our constant companion for a short while, poppet. Won’t that be entertaining?”
    Eloisa’s heart lurched. Had he truly bonded with the girl? “Do you mean to carry her with you then?”
    He set the girl on her feet. “How about we call for a butler to escort you to the kitchens and see if you can find a sweet?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “I’ll do it. We’re rather short of staff,” Eloisa