An Indecent Proposal(36)

“I want you to have what your mother meant for you,” he said, repeating the exact same words as Clint. He’d probably received a transcript of the previous evening, I thought. “Clint…your stepfather and I have discussed your engagement at great length. He’s so happy for you.”

I snorted inwardly.

That I doubted very much.

“As am I,” he continued in a fake-sincere voice. “Those are important developments, Laurie, which are aggravated by the fact that your stepfather will wed soon, too. Considering the fact that your mother didn’t take into account a few things, such as to what should happen when your stepfather re-marries—” The fact that he chose the word “when” rather than “if” didn’t escape me, but I let it slip. “—we had to make a few adjustments to the contract to benefit both you and Clint.”

“What are you talking about? What adjustments? Clint and I had a verbal agreement. He keeps my mother’s estate, meaning all of it, while I get the letters once I’m engaged.” Frowning, I stared at him, my gaze cold as ice.

“In order to fulfil your verbal contract, you no longer have to be engaged.” He paused for effect, and I almost breathed out, relieved…until I caught the malicious glint in his eyes. “We expect you to be legally married before your twenty-third birthday.”

Was changing terms without the other party’s consent even legal? After all, Clint and I had a verbal agreement, and that was just as binding as a written one.

If only I could prove it.

As if sensing my bewilderment, Aldwin nodded. “I understand your confusion, Miss Hanson. Your mother was very specific in her last will. She wanted Clint to have her money and insisted in her testament that you shall get her letters before you turn twenty-three. The condition was that you’re not unattached, which, to me, means officially wedded.”

He smiled, his eyes glinting with pretend kindness. “However, Clint and I have come to agree that, being her child, you’re entitled to a quarter of her liquid assets, even if she didn’t intend you to have it.”

The way he said it, he made it sound like my mother was the evil witch and Clint a complete altruist.

“I’m sure she had a good reason,” I found myself saying before I could stop myself.

Clint’s smile froze on his lips, and the kindness in his eyes disappeared. “Anyway, seeing that your stepfather will remarry soon, we have drawn a new contract to avoid a future domestic dispute that might involve finances, may it come from you, or your future husband. We want to settle the issue once and for all.”

“I do not want his money,” I whispered so low I wasn’t sure he heard me, emphasizing each word. Getting my mother’s letters was the sole reason for my fake engagement. It had never been about money, and Clint knew it. Mother had always warned me never to take it, and I chose to believe her.

“Excuse me. What did you say?” Aldwin said, stunned. I stared at him as the penny finally dropped. Clint was scared Chase might insist that I claim my legal share of my mother’s fortune. A pang of rage surged through me.

“I said, I don’t want the money, and neither does my fiancé,” I repeated. “I’m fulfilling my mother’s last wish by being engaged by the time I turn twenty-three, which will be in just a few days, as I’m sure you’re aware. I’m willing to give up my rights to a quarter of my mother’s wealth in exchange for the letters. But I want them now.” I stared him down, holding his hard glance. “That’s all I want.”

Aldwin drew a sharp breath. “Are…you sure?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Miss Hanson, I’m afraid that’s not quite possible.” He moistened his lips and smiled the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You see, the terms of your mother’s will were pretty clear. Being engaged isn’t enough. You have to be married to fulfill the conditions of both getting the money and receiving the letters.”

“But….” I struggled for words. How many times did I have to tell the guy that I didn’t want any money? Just the letters. Why was it so hard to understand?

“But Clint and I made a verbal agreement years ago. He said I would get the letters if I got engaged. There was no mention of marriage.”

“He’s changed his mind,” Aldwin said, then dropped his voice conspiratorially. “Miss Hanson, he’s so happy for you and convinced of your love that he insists you marry. After all, time passes so quickly, and he wants to be sure that a man can take care of you and loves you for who you are rather than for your inheritance. Clint is convinced that your fiancé is a fine man. True love, without a doubt. His words, not mine. He has only your best interests at heart.”