Part 22 (1/2)
”Not that I ever heard.
But then, he's never had need to--there's Jack before him and Gerald behind.
Jack's about to marry--I just got a summons to the wedding. So Harry's thoughts are unlikely to turn to gold rings and white icing--not, that is, unless he's given an incentive to pursue the subject. ”
”Incentive?”
”Hmm. Often the case with gentlemen in that particular mould-won't have a bar of marriage until the benefits become so blatantly obvious that even they, with their blinkered vision, can see it.” Em snorted.
”It's all the fault of the light-skirts, of course. Lining up to give them anything they want--whatever their l.u.s.ts desire--without any strings attached.”
”I suspect,” Lucinda said, her expression guarded, Harry's
”No' echoing in her ears, 'that it would take a fairly ... powerful incentive to make Harry actively desire to be wed.”
”Naturally--Harry's all male to his toes. He'll be as reluctant as the best of them, I don't doubt. He's lived a life of unfettered hedonism--he's hardly likely to volunteer to change.” Em brought her gaze back to Lucinda's face.
”Not, of courses that that should deter you.” Lucinda's head came up; she met Em's old eyes and saw in them a wealth of understanding. She hesitated for only a moment.
”Why not?”
”Because, as I see it, you've got the most powerful weapon in your hands already--the only one that'll work.” Em sat back and shrewdly regarded Lucinda. ”Question is, are you game enough to use it?”
For a long moment, Lucinda stared at her hostess-- then s.h.i.+fted her gaze to the gardens. Em sat patiently watching her--slim, dark-haired, fingers clasped in her lap, her expression calm and uninformative, a faraway look in her soft blue eyes.
At length, the blue eyes slowly turned back to Em. ”Yes,” Lucinda stated, calTM and determined.
”I'm game.”
Em grinned delightedly.
”Good! The first thing you'll need to understand is that he'll resist for all he's worth.
He'll not come to the idea meekly--you can't expect it of him. ”
Lucinda frowned.
”So I'll have to put up with more of this...” It was her turn to gesture as she sought for words.
”This uncertainty?”
”Undoubtedly,” Em aver red
”But you'll have to hold firm to your purpose. And your plan.”
Lucinda blinked.
”Plan?”
Em nodded.