Jared wondered if the butler assumed she had only just come home. She had said her servants were aware of her escapades. You couldn't hide anything from servants for very long.
"I don't wish to disturb Miss Barrows," Jared said with some amusement. "It's her father I wish to see."
"Well, sir, that is different. Highly irregular at this hour, but Mr. Barrows does happen to be up and dressing at this moment. If you would care to wait in the study, I will inform him of your presence."
Ten minutes later, a welcome cup of coffee in his hands, Jared rose to greet Samuel Barrows as he entered his study.
"I understand there is some urgency," Samuel stated as he took his place behind his large desk. "I can't imagine what it could be unless you've decided to terminate your stay in Boston. Have you come to finish our business before you leave, Mr. Burk?"
"This has nothing to do with business," Jared replied, wondering how he should begin.
"Just what is so important, then?"
"I've come about your daughter." Jared jumped right into the heart of it. "To get your approval of our forthcoming marriage."
Samuel stared incredulously at Jared for several moments before he blustered, "Good God, young man! I don't know how you do things where you come from, but here we usually discuss these matters at a civil hour."
"You will understand shortly why I couldn't wait, Mr. Barrows. But first, I want to know if you will give us your blessing."
"Please, Mr. Burk. Not so fast." Samuel held up his hand to slow things down. "I was under the impression that Corinne wasn't exactly attracted to you. No offense meant, but perhaps you're not aware that she prefers men she can dominate. Was I wrong about you? Does my daughter find you easy to—er—deal with?"
"No."
"Well, why would she agree to marry you?"
"I haven't asked her yet."
Samuel couldn't help laughing. "But you think she will say yes when you do?"
"She will, with the proper persuasion. And I can be very persuasive."
"I'm sure you can be, but Corinne is not easily persuaded. She knows what she wants out of life and she has the stubborn will to see it through. And you're not exactly what she has been looking for."
"Perhaps not," Jared shrugged. "But I am the man she is going to marry."
"You sound as if you are telling me, not asking me," Samuel observed with a raised brow.
"I am. I would rather have your approval, but it won't make that much difference."
Samuel chuckled, his brown eyes alight with pleasure. "I like a man with determination, Mr. Burk. You must love my daughter a great deal."
Jared scowled. He had hoped to avoid this aspect of things.
"To be frank, Mr. Barrows, love hasn't entered into it. Your daughter is extremely beautiful, as you know, and desirable as a woman, but she is going to make a difficult wife. I don't need to tell you how radical her thinking is, for I'm sure you know that already. She considers marriage her ticket to freedom. She gives no thought to the responsibilities involved. But with guidance, she will learn."
Now Samuel's paternal instincts were aroused. He stood up stiffly, placed his hands flat on his desk, and leaned forward with an angry gleam in his brown eyes.
"Let me get this straight, Mr. Burk. You don't love my daughter and, in your opinion, she won't make you a good wife. So why in damnation are you here telling me you're going to marry her?"
Jared did not hesitate. "It's a matter of honor, sir."
"Honor? Just what the hell are you talking about?" Samuel blustered, thoroughly confused.
"Before I explain, let me ask you this. Are you aware of your daughter's predilection for gambling? Do you know that she leaves your home late almost every night to frequent an unsavory establishment across the Charles?"
"I know everything my daughter does, including that you have been her escort on these late night ventures ever since that weak-kneed Drayton left town."
"If you knew, why didn't you put a stop to it?" Jared demanded.
"The only way I could have done so would have been to lock her in her room. The girl is headstrong and will do what she wants, not what I tell her to do. I felt she would lose interest soon. I still think she will."
"But in the meantime, you don't mind that she is seen in that place?"
"Of course I mind. But I can't stop her from going there."
"You really should have, Mr. Barrows," Jared said ominously. "That place is not just a gambling house. Any patron who goes there knows what the second floor of the house is used for. Do you?"
"Yes." Samuel looked away, embarrassed. "Yes, yes, I know. But Corinne is a good girl. I don't worry on that score."
"Perhaps you knew how innocent she was," Jared remarked sardonically. "But I didn't. In my opinion,* no decent woman would go to such a place."
"Here, here!"
"Let me finish. That is not the only reason I... assumed certain things about her. In case you didn't know, your daughter is an outrageous tease. She gives the distinct impression that she is worldly in all matters. Do you understand what I am saying, Mr. Barrows? Because of her flirtatious manner and the infamy of the gambling house she frequents, I did not believe her innocent, not even when she swore to me that she was."
Samuel's face turned a bright red. "Just what have you done to my daughter?"
Jared felt every muscle in his body come alive. He had put himself in a dangerous position. But he was going to tell the truth.
"I won Corinne in a hand of poker, in a game involving only the two of us. The terms were established beforehand. She was determined to finish the hand, but she didn't have the money to do so. So she wagered herself."
"I don't believe it!" Samuel stormed.
"She was positive she would win, Mr. Barrows. Otherwise I'm sure she wouldn't have agreed to the terms. But she did agree—and she lost. And then she refused to honor her wager. But I'm afraid I didn't feel quite gallant enough to accept her refusal."
"What are you saying, Burk? If you—"
"I raped your daughter," Jared cut him off coldly. "I regret it, but it doesn't alter the fact—I raped her. If I had had the slightest belief in her innocence, then it certainly wouldn't have happened. But she did wager herself. I could not believe a virgin would take that risk."
Samuel sat down heavily in his chair, "I don't know what to say to you, Burk. I should have you thrown in jail, but the trouble is, I understand how this could have happened. My God, was my daughter really fool enough to gamble herself in a game of chance?"
"Yes."
"And now, because she was indeed a virgin, you feel obliged to marry her?"
"I will not take full blame for what happened. But because of her innocence, I do regret it. I feel like a complete idiot for having judged her so incorrectly. But what's done is done. She has paid for her mistake. Now I feel honor-bound to pay for mine. I will do right by her, Mr. Barrows. In fact, I insist on it."
"This must have happened last night?"
"Yes. She isn't hurt, sir." Jared anticipated him. "She's
not too pleased with me, however. In fact, I left her in a fine temper."
"You left her? Where?"
"She's still across the river, in a cozy bedroom, probably sleeping right now."
"Not if I know my daughter. She'll come storming in here any moment, demanding your head on a platter."
"I don't think so. I didn't leave her much choice in the matter of her staying or leaving. I have her clothes with me."
Samuel took a deep breath. He couldn't hold Jared entirely to blame for this. Corinne had brought it on herself. Who knew her better than he did? And he had warned her not to trifle with Burk.
He cleared his throat. "I will say truthfully, Mr. Burk, that I wish to God none of this had happened. But it has, and at least you have offered to do the right thing by my daughter."
"Then you will approve the marriage?"
"I will, if Corinne ag
rees to it. But if she doesn't, and quite frankly, I doubt she will, then you will not be obliged to make further restitution."
"That is very charitable of you, under the circumstances. But she will agree," Jared said confidently.
Samuel scowled. "If you think to use force to get her to marry you, you can abandon that plan right now. I will not allow Corinne to be abused again."
"I had not even considered that, Mr. Barrows," Jared replied smoothly. "I give you my word. I will not mistreat Corinne in any way."
"I hope I can trust you to keep your word," Samuel returned with a stern look.
"You can."
"Very well, then, you have my permission to propose marriage to her. But when you speak to her, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mention that I approve the marriage. In fact, it would be better if she didn't know that I am aware of what has happened. I don't want to cause her any further shame."
"I understand," Jared said uncomfortably. "But I'm afraid I need one of her dresses from here. The one she was wearing was—damaged. She will know I have been here."
Samuel almost flew into a rage again. "No problem, Mr. Burk," he said tightly. "Get the dress you have with you fixed. Find a seamstress and have it repaired, it's that simple. I will see that my butler forgets you have called."
Chapter 11
CORINNE was asleep when Jared returned. He wanted nothing more than to get some sleep himself, but he couldn't yet He had to get things settled with Corinne first.
He laid her clothes out on the foot of the bed and stood looking down at her. Her dark-gold hair had come unbound and lay spread out over the pillow in soft waves. It was so long and luxuriant, like spun silk.
She really was so damnably beautiful. If only she weren't Barrows' daughter. . . . But she was, and Jared couldn't allow himself to forget that. To Jared, she was only a means to an end. And once that end was accomplished, he would never see this wild, green-eyed beauty again.
"Corinne, get up," Jared said softly, and shook her shoulder. "We have to talk."
"Go away," she mumbled, and turned her head into the pillow.
"Come on, now," he coaxed good-naturedly. "It's almost ten o'clock."
She glared at him, sleep vanishing instantly now. "You! So you came back after all?"
He grinned. "You didn't think I would just leave you here, did you?"
"Yes," she said bitterly, pulling the sheet up tightly to ' cover herself. "I wouldn't put anything past you!"
"I went to get your dress repaired. And I needed time to think, to make decisions."
"About what?"
"About last night. Corinne—"
"I don't want to talk about it!" she cut him off furiously. "I just want to forget it!"
"It's not that simple."
"Isn't it? If you will just get out of my life, I will forget you quite easily."
"I would like to forget, too, but I can't," Jared replied. "What I did was unforgiveable."
"Are you trying to say you're sorry?" Corinne asked caustically.
"Yes."
"Dont you think it's a bit late for regrets, Mr. Burk? The damage is done."
"It's not too late for me to make amends."
"Are you a magician?" she asked in a sarcastic tone. "Can you give me back my innocence?"
"No, but I can see to it that you don't suffer further because of what I did to you."
"Suffer further? What are you talking about?" she demanded. "The only suffering I'm enduring is being in the same room with you!"
"I wish you would calm down, Corinne, so we can talk seriously."
"Why should I?" she snapped,
"Because you are as much to blame for what happened as I am," he said sharply, then lowered his tone before continuing. "I was wrong, Corinne, but I was angry with you for leading me on. You had no business acting the way you did if you were a virgin."
She turned away, unable to look him in the eye. She knew she was partly to blame—she knew it. But it didn't stop the rage she felt at being used so callously.
"You didn't have to treat me like a whore," she said in a small voice.
Jared sat down on the side of the bed, strangely moved by her pitiful statement. He reached out and turned her face to his.
"I am so sorry, Corinne. I swear I never meant to cause
you so much pain." His eyes searched hers deeply. "If I
had known you were innocent, I wouldn't have touched
you. You do believe that, don't you?" '
"I don't know," she said weakly. Tears formed, making her eyes shimmering pools of green. "I don't know what to believe about you any more."
"I can't blame you for not trusting me now. But I swear I will never hurt you again, Corinne."
"Just go away, Jared." She pushed at him. "I don't want to talk anymore."
Her words shook him more than he let on. They were the very words his mother had said to his father so long ago. The sharp reminder shocked him deeply.
"You will talk to me, Corinne. You have to, for your own sake." He added, "A child might have been conceived last night. Will you take that risk all alone?"
"Just what are you getting at, Jared?" Corinne demanded wearily. "Just tell me, and get it over with."
"I want you to marry me."
There was a moment of complete silence.
"Do you?" She laughed without humor. "Do you really? Tell me why?"
"I am serious, Corinne."
"I asked you why, Jared," she said coldly. "You don't love me. Are you sacrificing yourself because you feel guilty?"
"I don't feel I am sacrificing anything. I am only trying to solve the problem I have created," he replied, keeping his tone calm.
"Well, I don't see any problem. What's done is done. I'm not going to go and kill myself because of last night. I'll survive, you can be sure of that."
"And if there is a child?"
"If that happens, I will give it away," she said harshly, intending her words to cut him, "I certainly wouldn't keep j a child of yours."
Jared gritted his teeth. She certainly hated him.
"I am not offering you only marriage, Corinne, but also what you want out of life. I know that you love Russell Drayton, but I also know that your father won't let you marry him. But if you marry me now, you will not only protect yourself in case of a possible pregnancy, but you will have what you want. After a reasonable time, you can divorce me and have Drayton."
Corinne started to explain that there could be no divorce in her family. It wasn't acceptable. But her curiosity was aroused. "What did you mean, I would have what I want out of life?"
"You want freedom, don't you?" he reminded her. "You want independence?"
"Are you saying that if I married you, you wouldn't try to control me? You wouldn't set down any rules, or try to restrict me in anyway?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jared replied, knowing that he had finally swayed her.
"And my money? Would you try to regulate it?"
"I don't need your money, Corinne. You can do whatever you want with it."
She couldn't believe he was willing to give her exactly what she wanted. It was too good to be true. Why was he being so cooperative?
"How can I trust you?" she asked skeptically.
"I will sign an agreement in writing, if you wish," he offered.
"Before marriage?"
"Yes."
She looked away from him. "What you propose is very tempting, Jared," Corinne admitted after a while. "But I wonder if you will still want to marry me after you hear my last condition."
"I'm listening." Jared grinned slightly, sure that he had won.
"Last night was very humiliating for me. I found making love thoroughly repugnant. If I agreed to marry you, I would be your wife only for appearances' sake."
"You're saying your bed will be off limits?"
"Yes."
The muscles in Jared's jaw twitched. Why did he mind? He could never grow to lo
ve her anyway. Why was he hurt?
"You didn't give yourself a chance last night, Corinne. Making love can be very enjoyable for both partners, when both participate."
"I don't intend to let you prove that, Jared," she returned stubbornly.
"Very well," he said. "As long as you don't object to my finding satisfaction elsewhere."
Corinne laughed, to Jared's further chagrin. "I would be surprised if you didn't. No, I have no objection."
Jesus, she really didn't give a damn about him, did she?
Jared kept his expression controlled. "There will have to be one night, though, the wedding night—to consummate the marriage."
Corinne considered that. One more night like last night. How could she? But here was everything she wanted, and not two years away. She would be able to stand just one night.
"I agree," she said finally. "You're getting an awfully poor bargain, Jared. Do you think it's worth it?"
Jared relaxed completely. Not once did she mention her shares in the shipyard. He didn't know how he would have handled that if she had brought it up.
"My part of the bargain is not so bad, Corinne. I will be making amends to clear my conscience. Yes, it's worth it. And besides, it won't be for all that long. Once you get a divorce, we will go our separate ways."
Corinne's eyes danced with laughter. He thought he knew why she was happy, but he didn't know the real reason.
There will be no divorce, Jared Burk, thought Corinne. This bargain will be till death do us part. But she wouldn't tell him that just now. God, what magnificent revengel
Chapter 12
THE were posted and the wedding date set for October 10, a Sunday less than four weeks away. Invitations were dispatched immediately, and Co-rinne started fittings for her wedding gown. Her days were filled with making preparations and shopping for her trousseau. The four weeks passed quickly.
She didn't see much of Jared during this time, and had little opportunity to talk to him. He sent over the written agreement he had promised her, and that removed all trace of doubt.
Her father didn't know about the paper that guaranteed her independence. If he had, he would never have let her marry Jared. Corinne sometimes wondered why her father had agreed to the marriage so easily, without questioning her about her change of mind concerning Jared. But she gave the matter little thought.