The Sinner by Madeline Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

as I choose, if I want to. I want an agreement that you will not interfere and will sign any documents as become necessary.”
    His reaction indicated he found these particular terms most unusual, as indeed they were. By law, husbands were supposed to get everything and control any lands. Reserving property to her own discretionary use was almost unheard of, but she desperately needed him to agree to this. She had lived independently too long, and had gone too far on her Grand Project, to be subject to any man on her decisions, especially to a husband who really wouldn’t be a husband.
    “Even without that independent fortune, my inheritance is significant, Dante. Half the income from the trust is a handsome amount.”
    “How handsome?”
    “Your share would be three thousand, to use as you please. I would continue to maintain my household with my own part.”
    He laughed. “That is certainly handsome, Fleur. However, look where we are. Where I am. Forgive me, but it is not very sensible for you to make this proposal, with all of these private financial understandings, to a man in gaol for debt. Don’t you worry that someday I will be in too deep again and will take all of it?”
    “All of our arrangement will be grounded on your honor, Dante. That is sufficient guarantee for me. I do not doubt that you will keep any promises that you make. Even if someday you want all of it, I do not believe that you will take it. I also think that you will never incur debts that would jeopardize what is not yours.”
    His expression turned enigmatic again. She could not decide if he was flattered or if he tried to hide his opinion that she was a fool.
    “You must be thinking it odd that I do not jump at this offer. It is very generous, and solves my present problem very neatly.”
    “As it solves mine. The mutually beneficial aspect of the solution is the best part of it, I think.”
    “It is far too optimistic of you after our brief friendship. You do not know me, Fleur.”
    “I trust you. I know you are honorable. I also enjoy your company, and that is a rare thing for me with a man.”
    “You can do better.”
    “I do not think so.”
    He rose abruptly and paced away, his arms crossed over his chest and a thoughtful scowl on his handsome face. A burst of laughter from inside the gaol reminded her of how peculiar a place this had been for a proposal. But then, the proposal itself was so odd that no place would have really been appropriate.
    He returned to stand in front of her. Propping one booted foot beside her on the bench, he bent over his knee and lifted her chin with his dry, warm fingers, forcing her to look into his luminous eyes.
    “It is an astonishing idea. Totally unexpected. I am not exactly the marrying kind, Fleur.”
    “This is not exactly a typical marriage. I will never ask you questions about your lovers, Dante. I know that I will have no right to. There will be no jealous scenes.”
    “The freedom to have lovers is not what concerns me right now. We speak of a lifetime. Just how separate do you expect us to be? It would raise questions if we are never together.”
    “We need not be strangers. We can share a house, and entertain mutual friends if it suits us.”
    “I think that we would have to at first, don’t you? It would not do to make people suspicious, especially Farthingstone.”
    “You can move to my house in Mayfair after the wedding. There is enough room for one more.”
    His expression went serious, and she knew that he was deciding her future in that moment. His gaze fell to her lips. For an instant that special energy shimmered intensely.
    His thumb brushed her mouth. “Will I be allowed to kiss my wife sometimes?”
    “Friends do, don’t they?”
    He touched his mouth gently to hers. The softness and warmth of the kiss caused a bright light to blink through her.
    “When do you plan to hold the wedding, Miss Monley? As it happens, my social diary is without commitments at the