Blinded by Grace: Book Five of the Cotillion Ball series (Crimson Romance) by Becky Lower Read Free Book Online

find another way to fix it, so I’ll agree to your plan only if you concur with my conditions.”
    Her eyes sparkled as she focused on him. “What are your conditions?”
    “Let’s take this a step at a time. I’ll start off by courting you, and making a show of being serious about furthering our relationship. That will appease my mother, but it will probably torment Simon. Are you prepared for his wrath?”
    “Nothing can be more devastating than the hell he’s put Mother and me through for the past year. The odious bully.”
    “Well then, you must be properly attired for our upcoming outings, so I want you to visit my sister’s shop and get some new outfits.”
    Grace began to voice her objections, but he cut her off. “It will be my treat, so you won’t have to go to Simon for money, thereby tipping your hand too early. And a new wardrobe may have hidden benefits, since it might be all that is needed to entice suitors to you.”
    “But, Halwyn, I don’t want to add to your expenses. My wardrobe, as pitiful as it is, should not be your concern.”
    “But it’s no burden, since I have some plans for using your services, and your new attire will be adequate compensation.”
    Her eyes grew wide as she took in what she thought was his meaning. “Wha? What type of services, Halwyn?” Her voice came out as a little squeak.
    He almost smiled, and decided not to prolong having her thoughts venture down such a lascivious road. Even if he did enjoy hearing her little squeaking noise, he would not torment her. “I’m in need of a townhouse of my own, and I’m terrible at assessing houses and all the decorating which will ensue once I find a home. I will enlist your help in finding me a house under the guise that it will be ours when we wed.”
    She took in a deep breath as he explained himself. “Oh. All right, it seems a fair exchange. But what about my proposal? Will you consent to marry me by July?”
    “If no other man comes into your line of focus by then, and it’s the only way for you to gain control of your trust, of course, Grace, I’ll agree to your idea. Strictly business, though, and it will be dissolved as quickly as possible. However, there’s a rather large stumbling block to your idea of annulment.”
    Her eyes darted up to his face, and then back down again. “What do you mean?”
    “The very word ‘annulment’ means something never happened. Simon and his attorney friend will come after your money so fast you’ll feel that you were run over by a team of wild horses if we annul the bonds right away. I suggest we stay married for an appropriate amount of time and then divorce. Of course, divorce is a problem, too, but you will at least be a wealthy woman, and money makes society forgive abnormalities. I believe a proper time frame would be a year.”
    Grace glanced up from her lap and peered at him. “A year? You mean, we’d live together for a year, under the same roof? Or will you banish me to the countryside for that amount of time, such as English gentlemen do with ladies they’re wed to but don’t want to be with?”
    Halwyn chuckled. “I see no reason to do that to you. I’ve lived with sisters my whole life, so sharing living space with you will be no burden. And the townhouse you will help me purchase will be large enough, hopefully, for separate quarters for each of us. Yes, I think this plan might work.”
    She pressed her hands together, took a deep breath and then leaned across the desk to shake his hand in a most businesslike manner. “Thank you, Halwyn. I will try very hard to make it so you won’t regret this. Where shall we begin?”
    “I’ll stop by Jasmine’s shop later today, since I keep the accounting records for her, and tell her to expect you. I’ll let her know the types of outings I have planned for us, but I’ll leave the details up to the two of you. And I’ll escort you to the annual Haversham ball this weekend. It’s always a big affair, so it