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and left her feeling happy. She smiled. It was the most genuine reaction she had ever bestowed upon anyone. Somehow it felt significant that her smile was meant for him.
    “Then, Lord Merrick, I accept your proposition.”
    “I’m pleased to hear it, for I spoke with your father earlier today. Our betrothal will be announced soon and our wedding will take place in a month’s time.”
    Although shocked by the haste in which the wedding would take place, she wasn’t upset by it. Soon she would escape from her father. In one month, she would be free from his control and his beatings. She would be safe . . . but her mother would not.

 
    Chapter 4
    Greyson closed the account book with a sigh of relief. Ravenhurst stood in good financial standings and would have no trouble selling should that be the consensus. The thought tasted bittersweet as he had been content for all the years he, Richard, and Jonathan had run the club. It had provided him with a purpose and a comforting sense of power. For so long he’d suffered without any control in his life.
    Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair. In a fortnight he and Lady Willimena would be wed. Their interactions over the past weeks had been minimal, but he could feel a change within her. Offering her a compromise with their marriage had been one of the wisest decisions he’d made, but for some reason he could tell the idea brought her sadness.
    Thinking of his betrothed always brought memories of the kiss they shared in the drawing room. Never had he experienced such an intense reaction before. Had she not pulled back, he feared he would have taken the encounter much too far. Although inexperienced, she acted with eagerness and learned fast.
    Even stranger than his reaction was the smudge of powder on his fingers after touching her. He dismissed the obvious explanation, considering she presented herself well and always managed to smell sweet. Her scent consisted of a pleasant aroma of honey and flowers mixed with a familiar earthiness he could not place.
    Suddenly it hit him. The texture and the smell reminded him of the powdered wig his father had owned. If Lady Willimena powdered her hair, it would also explain how she managed to keep it so tight and obedient. Certainly the oil or beeswax she used to make the powder adhere offered its assistance when styling.
    The thing that didn’t make sense was why. He could not imagine what could be wrong with her hair to make her go to such lengths to hide it. Regardless of her reasons, he would find out. Once they were settled in their marriage routine, he would be free to learn all her secrets.
    “I hope you are not working too hard.”
    A familiar voice pulled Greyson from his contemplations. “Richard, I was unaware you planned to return to London before next week.” Greyson’s tone only held mild surprise, as he enjoyed seeing his friend.
    “It was Brianna’s idea. She wanted to arrive early so she could meet your betrothed before the wedding. I believe she also wanted to see Grace. With Joseph being so young, traveling is difficult. I, on the other hand, am looking forward to attending Lady Laramie’s ball. I have yet to miss one of her parties, and I refuse to start now.”
    Greyson easily recalled how Lady Laramie always hosted the finest ball of the Season. Her themes were based on an exotic location she traveled to that year, and he enjoyed learning of new places. Thinking back, he felt a sense of accomplishment surround him as memories of the Rainforest Ball last year resurfaced.
    Richard had brought him as a guest, and Greyson had spent the time working the card room and getting a handle on the duke. That night was the first night he’d played the man. Greyson had intentionally thrown the game in order to build the duke’s confidence. Overall, it had been a successful night.
    “I recall, and I thank you for bringing me as your guest all those years. Have you learned of the new theme?”
    “Not yet, but