The Perfect Stranger by Anne Gracíe Page A

her all my life. You could live safely and securely at Blacklock Manor, and you would be company for her.”
    “But what would she think of having a daughter-in-law foisted on her who was not really your, um—”
    “She need not know that there was no marriage bed. My cousin will inherit the estate when I die, but my mother is amply provided for. As will you be.”
    “I could not take your charity—”
    He snorted, “It is not charity. You would be doing me—it would be a mutual favor.” He shifted his position on the sand and crossed his legs restlessly. His mother would have a fit! The heir to Blacklock and a waif of the sand hills! Nicholas imagined the letter he could write:
Dear Mother,
I have found the new mistress of Blacklock. I found her hiding in some French sand hills, courtesy of a bogus Hungarian swine called Yuri Popov. She is a dear little soul, and I think she will make a very nice daughter-in-law. I hope this compensates for my running away.
Your loving though disobedient son,
Nicholas.
    “Is your mother an invalid? Lonely? Is that what you want—someone to take care of her?”
    “Lord, no, she’s as fit as a flea! Nor is she lonely; she has dozens of friends. I am not after a nurse or companion for her.”
    “Then I don’t understand! I would have my reputation saved and a home—in exchange for what? It seems a very unequal proposition.” Her voice softened, “Forgive me if I seem rude or ungrateful, but my recent experiences have taught me not to trust people’s words so simply.
    He shook his head. “No, you are right to question me. For a start, it is no great thing I offer. I am no great catch, if that’s what you are thinking. You would simply get my name, a place to live, and a comfortable allowance. And I would get…” He frowned, wondering how best to convince her.
    Convince her? Nicholas caught himself up on the thought. Why would he want to convince her? She was nothing to him. At least she ought to be. And yet…he did want her to marry him. It was the only way he could think of to protect her from her folly. He could not continue his journey knowing he’d done nothing to ease her lot. It would rest his mind considerably to know she was safe and well provided for at Blacklock.
    “Almost all my mother has talked about for the last few months is my wedding. Instead, I left England, unmarried. And I left in a hurry.”
    “I see.”
    “No, you don’t. It is a bigger oversight than you realize. I am only now realizing how much my actions will have upset my mother. If I can send her my bride…” He shrugged. “I don’t know—I suppose it would be a form of apology for the abrupt way I left.”
    There was a short silence. Her voice trembled as she said, “You don’t think a bunch of flowers and a nice little note might be easier?”
    It took him a few seconds to realize. “Are you laughing at me?” he asked suspiciously.
    “I am sorry,” she said eventually, her voice still shaking. “It is just that I have never thought of myself as a living apology before. It takes a little getting used to. Tell me, would I expect to be wrapped up? And would you wish to pin a note to my skirt, or would I be required to repeat your apology, parrot style. I must warn you, I never was very good at recitation.”
    The chit was laughing at him! He didn’t know how long it had been since someone had actually had the temerity to laugh at him.
    “You, miss, are a baggage!” he said severely.
    “Yes, sir,” she said in a docile manner that fooled him not at all.
    “I simply wish to please my mother, to show her that her attempts to urge me into marriage had not been in vain and that I am not completely the ungrateful, undutiful son she no doubt thinks me.”
    Her voice sobered. “But you would still be undutiful, for if we made a…a paper marriage, it would be a deception. You said she wanted grandchildren.”
    Nick made a dismissive gesture but said nothing. Her logic was