Ann, Ef, John, Judith, Steve and Ricardo, of the Nameless Workshop, critiqued for me, and their comments helped me make this novel a good deal more coherent and complex than it might have been were I left to my own devices. Lorrie, as always, provided sanity, small monkeys and pie. Charlotte brainstormed with her usual brilliance. Sherwood told me about invaluable research books, and I was further inspired by the sea-battle scenes in her Inda series. Arionrhod and Kyle Cassidy contributed their names in support of charitable causes. Nif and Jen patiently listened to me relate the entire plot when this novel was still nascent. Special thanks go to Lara Hyde for okaying the pirate-eating sharks (and for the ice cream) and to Susan Swinwood for her insightful revision notes. And finally, thanks to the production folks at Harlequin for yet another beautiful book.
Further information may be found at my website, www.victoriajanssen.com.
âMY LADY,â MAXIME SAID, âI UNDERSTAND YOUâRE disappointedââ
Lady Diamanta Picot threw a gold-and-ruby pomegranate at Maximeâs head. He ducked, but it still clipped the top edge of his coronet and rebounded into the wall of the receiving room before hitting the floor and spinning to a stop.
A handblown goblet whizzed by his ear; he flung up his hand and caught it before it could shatter against the ducal throne behind him. âNow, wait,â he said. âThat was a particular token of my esteemâlook at all these beautiful cloud fish etched into the bowlââ âFuck you!â Lady Diamanta screamed. âIâm afraid not,â Maxime said. âI did not agree to this marriage. Therefore I will not marry you.â
Diamanta vibrated with rage, her slender fingers clenched upon the next gift, a handful of ebony hair sticks topped with gold knobs, the rich coppery-red gold of the far south, seldom seen in the duchies. She snarled, âYou have no choice in the matter.â
âOn the contrary,â Maxime said. âI am a duke of the realm. I may marry whom I please. My charter clearly statesââ
âYou will marry at the kingâs command,â Diamanta said, her voice going cold. She set the hair sticks back on the table, but continued to fondle them, as an archer might fondle arrows. âIf you refuse me, my life will be ruined.â
âNo, it wonât,â Maxime said. âYou hate me. Youâve hated me since we were both fourteen.â He set the goblet down on another table, out of her reach.
Diamanta licked her lips. They were plump and pink and inviting. Her fingers trailed along the table and lightly caressed the marquetry lid of a box of caraway comfits before returning to the hair sticks. She said, âMy feelings donât enter into it, nor do yours. I am wealthy.â
âSo am I.â
âThatâs why we belong together. Thatâs why I am to be a duchess. My fatherâs wealth will provide a substantial dowry for the crown, and for your duchy, as well. Iâve been trained from birth to manage a duchy and its interests.â
âYou wonât be my duchess,â Maxime said. He clasped his hands behind his back. The elaborate rings heâd worn, hoping sheâd see them as the respect he intended for her, dug painfully into his fingers. âMy refusal has nothing to do with your management skills. I am despondent you traveled all this way. I informed the king weeks ago I would not marry you, or anyone of his choosing. Perhaps you could convey this to him directly.â
âYou are a fool,â she spat. âOur marriage could be a mutually beneficial arrangement. I would increase your wealth beyond anything you can imagine. You may have two heirs of me, or even three. And I would not restrain you from your ⦠interests outside the marriage bed, if you would extend me the same courtesy.â
Sheâd just stated his worst nightmare. Slowly, he shook his head.
He held her gaze. She held his. Slowly, she released her grip on the hair sticks and trailed her fingers up her rib cage and over her bosom, perfectly displayed in her low-cut purple gown. It was one of the finest bosoms in all the duchies. She lifted a brow. Maxime shook his head.
Diamanta took one of the hair sticks and briskly used it to tidy dislodged strands of her platinum-pale hair. She remarked, âYou would have been lucky to have me. Youâre not such a prize, you know. No matter what the women of the court say of your ⦠endowments.â
âIâd rather not be a prize in a contest,â Maxime said. âYou will of course accept my gifts, which express my regret in refusing our betrothal?â