After a few minutes, Alex knew that he was going to have to take Emma home. She had said that Ned had escorted her to his front door—Alex didn’t even want to guess what Emma had done to convince her cousin to bring her here. Nonetheless, he knew that Ned would come for her if she remained overlong, and if that happened, the entire Blydon family might get involved. All hell would break loose. Everyone would be appeased, of course, once informed of their impending nuptials, but Alex thought that it would not be a rather auspicious beginning to their lives together.

And so, with great regret, Alex nudged Emma’s shoulder. “Wake up, my love. I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you home.”

“I wish you didn’t have to.”

“Believe me, love, I wish I didn’t have to either, but the last thing we want is your entire family descending on us.”

Emma yawned and slowly extricated herself from Alex’s arms. “I despise reality.”

Alex chuckled. “How does next week sound?”

“How does next week sound for what?”

“Our marriage, you ninnyhead.”

“Next week? Are you mad?”

“Obviously.”

“Alex, there is no way I can plan a wedding by next week.” Then Emma remembered that the entire point of her proposing to him was that she needed to marry right away.

But Alex had already given in. “Two weeks, then.”

“All right,” she said slowly. “Aunt Caroline is going to have a fit of the vapors. She’ll want a lavish affair, I’m sure.”

“Do you want a lavish affair?”

Emma smiled up into his eyes. “I really don’t care,” she sighed. All she really wanted was Alex. Although, now that she thought about it, she’d always dreamed of a beautiful gown, of gliding down an aisle to meet her future. “A week from Saturday,” she said quickly, hoping that she could find a dressmaker willing to work under such time constraints.

“Very well. I’m going to hold you to that date.”

Emma giggled slightly. “Please do.”

Alex was still wondering about her rather odd comment about having to marry him quickly. Whatever the matter, it must be something urgent for her to defy all convention and propose marriage. “Emma,” he said, touching her chin lightly. “I have one question for you.”

“Yes?”

“What on earth prompted you to ask me to marry you?”

“What prompted me? Well, it’s all rather silly, actually, and I could just kill Ned over it, although I have to say it all worked out very well in the end. I really couldn’t be happier.” Emma looked up at Alex and gave him a sheepish grin. “I needed money, actually, and I can’t use my—” She stopped abruptly, horrified by the change that had just come over Alex. His entire body seemed frozen, tensed for a fight, and his face was a granite mask, hard and unyielding. Emma stumbled back a step, almost feeling as if she’d been pushed back by his frown. “Alex?” she said hesitatingly. “Is something wrong?”

Alex felt a white hot rage consume him, and he felt unable even to speak. Fury pounded through his mind, blotting out all reason. I needed money I needed money I needed money. Emma’s words echoed unyieldingly in his head, and the walls around his heart that she had so recently broken down began to reform. How could he have been such a fool? He thought he’d finally found a woman who seemed to care for him, not for the material comforts and prestige that came along with his name. And he had actually believed himself to be in love with her. What an idiot. In the end, she’d proved to be just like all the others. He couldn’t believe she’d actually come out and admitted to him that all she wanted was money. That, he supposed, was a point in her favor. At least she hadn’t been devious like all the rest.

Alex stared coldly at her, his eyes two chips of emerald ice. “Get out,” he said harshly, practically spitting the words at her.

Emma felt all the blood drain from her face, and for a moment she thought she might faint. “What?” she gasped, unable to believe she’d heard him correctly.

“You heard me. I want you gone.”

“But what about—?” She could barely get the words out.

“You may consider any agreement we have reached here today to be null and void.” His voice was icy, and he grabbed her arm, propelling her to the door.

Emma felt hot tears welling up in her eyes, and she fought to keep them from rolling down her cheeks as Alex pushed her through the room. “Alex, please,” she pleaded as she stumbled out of the parlor and into the main hall. “What is wrong? What happened? Please tell me. Please!”

Alex whipped her around to face him and looked her hard in the eye. “You greedy little bitch.”

Emma felt as if she’d been hit. “Oh my God,” she whispered, no longer able to control the tears that flowed freely from her eyes.

“Wait outside,” he said, roughly, putting her out on the front step. “I’ll get a carriage to bring you home.” He turned on his heel and stepped back inside. Then suddenly, he turned around. “Don’t ever come back.”

As Emma stood on the steps, she wondered if she had died. Wiping some of the tears off her cheeks, she took great big gulps of air, trying to regain her equilibrium. She had to get out of there. The last thing she wanted was to return home in his carriage. Pulling her shawl over her head to hide her bright hair, she hurried down the steps and along the street.

Chapter 16

The lonely walk home gave Emma ample time to scrutinize her ill-fated conversation with Alex. It didn’t take her long to figure out exactly what had happened. Belle had told her about Alex’s first foray into polite society, and Emma knew that he was still pursued relentlessly for his title and his wealth. She also knew that he detested the women who wanted him for these reasons.