Chapter 12

The chiming of the bell on the door signified the presence of a customer which surprised Knox for it was the lunch hour and her workers were all gone to lunch.

She was at that time sewing some intricate beadwork into a dress meant for a bride in the coming week and really needed no distractions so it was with a grumble she came out from the backroom and her office to see whoever was there out. Shocked was an understatement when she saw him with his imposing stature looking out of place in the midst of women fripperies, he was looking over her samplers of the offerings available and had not noticed her yet so she took her time to check him out and she wasn't disappointed in what she saw as it reaffirmed why she was attracted to him, she must have done that for too long because a clearing of throat was heard with him staring right at her, practice was what made her not to blush.

Gerard has never had a woman openly sizing him up in that way, the uncomfortable sensation of feeling undressed under her eyes. Now he understood how those women felt at the brothels when they stared. While uncomfortable it did not reduce his need of her, for he could just feel how much fire they could make together, he was sure she had so much passion to give and he would give so much to have a taste. Without beating about the bush he stated his business and while with any other woman he would be more tactful, he knew Knox would appreciate his directness better. He offered her what he thought she needed which was protection and money in exchange for her in his bed and the occasional functions.

While Knox appreciated his directness and knew she was interested in what he had to offer she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of acceptance, he had to first apologize for his abominable behavior towards her and make more of an effort in wooing her because she may not have any inhibitions about what he had to offer, she also wasn't cheap and has been around long enough to know that their arrangement was unfavorable to her in their time and while she was willing to give as good as she got she wouldn't layover for anybody. With this in mind she told him as such that until an apology was tendered, and a formal proposal made she was too busy to consider his business and told him to see himself out.

Gerard was in a mild mood when he left, he expected her to be difficult but not this pointless difficulty, she expected him to apologize for assaulting him? She expected him to grovel at her feet? She was joking because he couldn't and wouldn't do such a thing, she should be happy a duke wanted her and not giving him conditions. On getting home his mother was waiting with her insistence that he call on Emily to arrange their marriage plans, for he had to do right by her after jilting her for no just cause. Gerard was thinking he had to do something to send Emily away back to wherever she came from for she was causing issues for him when there was none to be had, he had to call on her now.

The next morning saw him Knocking on their door to the shock of their butler who quickly ushered him indoors wondering what he could be after as he was aware that Emily entertained a gentleman who has just sneaked out the backdoor not long ago and everybody knew their relationship was over.

Emily hastily donned her clothes with excitement as she supposed his mother had done the convincing and he came to offer for her hand, she hoped this was true because she needed to be respectably married soon if not she would be shelved. She slowed down her steps when she got closer and inspected him thoroughly, Gerard has always been a fine specimen of a man but he was always too in control and it was hard to get anything past him which was why they were at this point. She put on a smile and stepped into the room to greet him. As soon as he came in he stood up and like a drill sergeant started stating his purpose in a business like manner. " It has come to my notice that you're still under the fantasy of getting married to me that you go as far as lying to my mother and now she's pushing for a marriage between us, i know you're not as innocent as you seem, so desist from this notion of marriage if not I'll make you a laughing stock before the ton, i have my ways of finding out where you have been and with whom?" To which she replied I don't see any need for all that while i made a mistake couldn't i be forgiven? You're not a saint either so why hold a momentary indiscretion against me?

Gerard gave a sardonic smile and looked her in the eye while saying i no it was no small indiscretion because unlike you, i did my findings after you were caught and there're a list of men who you were sharing your favours with then and i have no doubt that that list is longer now, like i said get this notion of marriage out or get exposed.

As he was about stepping out she stepped in his way and insisted of atleast tea, saying while she understood his reasoning they were not enemies and as such he must have atleast tea before he left, she rang for tea and it didn't take long and it arrived, she quickly served him and in a haste to drink and live he didn't take note of the taste by the time he stood up to live the last thing he remembered was opening the door to live.

He woke sometime in the early evening to himself and Emily naked in bed and knew he had been played, he angrily stood up and was shouting at her about what happened and she immediately put on the hysterical crying about him taking her savagely one last time while looking up at him beneath her lashes. Gerard then knew he would get nothing from her but warned her it changed nothing between them.

He left immediately after cursing himself inwardly for falling into her trap, he just didn't know it yet but he fell perfectly into her plan.