A Dangerous Bargain

"My lord, Lady Yulianna is already outside."

Yulianna's chest tightened as her maid's voice echoed down the hall. She inhaled deeply, holding the breath for a moment before exhaling slowly, willing herself to focus. If she was going to survive this confrontation—a battle she'd never won in her past life—she needed to think clearly. She had to outwit Madame Veronica and persuade her father.

"Send her in," came the baron's cold, emotionless voice from within.

At her maid's signal, Yulianna took another deep breath. Her legs felt unsteady beneath her, but she forced herself forward, step by step, into the lion's den—the library. The baron sat at his desk, glasses perched on his nose, leafing through a stack of papers. His expression was unreadable, colder and harsher than she remembered. Yulianna swallowed hard. He looked like a man who had already passed judgment.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" she asked, her voice carefully polite. 

A pleasant smile graced her lips, though her chest tightened further at the sight of Madame Veronica lurking nearby. She kept her focus on her father. Acknowledging that woman now would only give her satisfaction.

"I expect you have an explanation for your behavior at the party last night," the baron began, his tone sharp and measured.

"Yes, about that," Yulianna replied, forcing her voice to remain steady. "I briefly stepped out to the terrace for some air after Mother entertained a guest on our way to the party. Isn't that right, Mother?" She turned her gaze toward Madame Veronica, her tone as sweet as the smile she wore.

Madame Veronica's expression faltered, her surprise flickering across her face for the briefest of moments. Yulianna's heart swelled with satisfaction. Even the baron's head tilted slightly toward his wife, clearly expecting confirmation.

"Oh—well, yes," Madame Veronica stammered, "but it was only a brief exchange of pleasantries—"

"Enough," the baron interrupted, his tone cutting off the conversation as easily as a blade through cloth. 

His gaze shifted back to Yulianna, snuffing out her fleeting sense of triumph. "It doesn't matter whose fault it is. You failed to secure a match, as you promised me last week. This matter is no longer in your hands—"

"What do you mean, Father?" Yulianna interrupted, her voice calm but firm. Inside, her heart pounded against her ribcage. "Surely you'd hear me out before passing judgment?"

The baron's eyes narrowed at her insolence, his patience clearly wearing thin. But she stood her ground. If the real Yulianna could see her now, she'd be proud—this was her long-awaited moment of defiance.

"Well?" the baron demanded, his voice laced with irritation. "What could you possibly have to say that would justify your failure? Last week, you swore to me that you'd bring Lord Hawthorne here as your suitor. Instead, you've done nothing but embarrass yourself and this family."

Yulianna suppressed a shiver. His words struck her like a whip, each one stinging more than the last. Now she understood why the original Yulianna had given up.

"Lord Hawthorne announced his engagement at the party shortly after you disappeared," Madame Veronica chimed in, her voice dripping with mock concern. "Had you acted sooner, perhaps you'd be the one wearing his ring."

"The man had the resources and connections I needed," the baron growled. "You've failed me, Yulianna. And there will be consequences."

His words were final, like a hammer falling on a coffin nail. Turning to Madame Veronica, he continued, "Find her a match today. It doesn't need to be someone like Lord Hawthorne—just someone useful. We'll proceed with arrangements as soon as they agree."

Yulianna's fists clenched at her sides as her mind raced. Anger and hopelessness clawed at her, clouding her thoughts. She had to stop this—she had to think of something.

"You are dismissed," the baron said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Her legs felt like they would give out beneath her, but they carried her toward the door. Her mind reeled, searching for a way out, a plan to save herself. Anything.

And then it came to her.

She stopped short of the door and turned, her voice clear and calm as she spoke. "I met someone far more influential than Lord Hawthorne at the terrace last night, Father. Are you sure you don't want me to pursue him instead?"

Her words hung in the air like a challenge. She saw Madame Veronica's eyes narrow with suspicion, but the baron's expression shifted, his interest piqued.

"And who is this man?" the baron asked.

"Someone you'd be proud to have as an in-laws," Yulianna said lightly, "he was eager to invite me to his estate to get to know me better."

Her father leaned forward slightly, his curiosity evident. Madame Veronica's glare burned into her, but Yulianna kept her composure.

"You have two days to arrange a meeting," the baron said at last, his voice tinged with warning. "And remember—this is your last chance."

Yulianna bowed her head and left the library, her relief short-lived. She had bought herself time, but now she faced an even greater challenge. Where would she find this man? And more importantly, how would she convince him to help her?

Her heart sank as she recalled the icy look in his eyes during their last encounter. He was not a man to be trifled with—but desperate times called for desperate measures.