"I'm flattered," he muttered.
"I didn't think I would have to marry you, you see."
Charles frowned, thinking that she didn't need to sound quite so resigned.
"I have some money," she continued. "Enough to support myself for some time. At least until my sister and her husband return from their holiday."
"Which is in ..."
"Three months," Ellie finished for him. "Or perhaps a bit longer. Their baby has a small respiratory problem, and the doctor feels a warmer climate would do him good."
"I trust it is not serious."
"Not at all," Ellie said, giving him a reassuring nod. "One of those things one outgrows. But I'm afraid I am still left at loose ends."
"I do not understand," Charles said.
"My solicitor will not give me my money." Ellie quickly recounted the day's events, leaving out her undignified argument with the heavens. Really, the man didn't need to know everything about her. Better not say anything that might lead him to think she was a bit unhinged.
Charles sat quietly, tapping his fingertips together as he listened. "What exactly do you want me to do for you?" he asked when she was finished.
"Ideally, I'd like you to march into the solicitor's office on my behalf and demand that he release my funds," she replied. "Then I could live quietly in London and await my sister."
"And not marry me?" he said, a knowing smile on his face.
"That isn't going to happen, is it?"
He shook his head.
"Perhaps I could marry you, you could get my money, and then, once your inheritance is secure, we could obtain an annulment..." She tried to sound convincing, but her words trailed off as she watched him shake his head again.
"That scenario presents two problems," he said.
"Two?" she echoed. She might have been able to talk her way around one, but two? Doubtful.
"My father's will specifically addresses the possibility that I might enter into a sham marriage merely for the sake of my inheritance. Were I to obtain an annulment, my assets would be immediately seized and handed over to my cousin."
Ellie's heart sank.
"Secondly," he continued, "an annulment would require that we not consummate our marriage."
She gulped. "I don't see any problem there."
He leaned forward, his eyes burning with something she didn't recognize. "Don't you?" he asked softly.
Ellie didn't like the way her stomach was jumping about. The earl was far too handsome for his own good—far too handsome for her own good. "If we marry," she blurted out, suddenly very eager to change the subject, "you will have to get my money for me. Can you do that? Because I won't marry you otherwise."
"I shall be able to provide for you quite handsomely without it," Charles pointed out.
"But it's mine, and I worked hard for it. I'm not about to let it rot in Tibbett's hands."
"Certainly not," Charles murmured, looking as if he were trying very hard not to smile.
"It's the principle of the matter."
"And the principle is what matters to you, isn't it?"
"Absolutely." She paused. "Of course, principles won't put food on the table. If they did, I wouldn't be here."
"Very well. I shall get your money for you. It shouldn't be that difficult."
"For you, perhaps," Ellie muttered ungracefully. "I couldn't even get the blasted man to acknowledge that I possessed a greater intelligence than a sheep."
Charles chuckled. "Have no fear, Miss Lyndon, I shan't make the same mistake."
"And that money will remain mine," Ellie persisted. "I know that when we marry, all of my possessions—meager though they are—become yours, but I would like a separate account in my name."
"Done."
"And you will make certain that the bank knows that I have full control over those funds?"
"If you so desire it."
Ellie looked at him suspiciously. Charles caught the glance and said, "I have more than enough money of my own, provided we marry in haste. I don't need yours."
She let out a relieved breath. "Good. I do like to play the 'change. I shouldn't want to have to get your signature every time I want to make a transaction."
His mouth fell open. "You play the 'change?"
"Yes, and I'm quite good at it, I'll have you know. I made a tidy profit in sugar last year."
Charles smiled in disbelief. They would do quite well together, he was sure of it. Time spent with his new wife would be more than pleasant, and it sounded as if she would be able to keep herself occupied while he was pursuing his own affairs in London. The last thing he needed was to be shackled to a woman who whined every time she was left to her own devices.
He narrowed his eyes. "I say, you're not one of those managing sorts of women, are you?"
"What does that mean?"
"The last thing I need is a woman who wants to take charge of my life. I need a wife, not a keeper."
"You're rather choosy for someone who has only fourteen days before his fortune is forever lost."
"Marriage is for life, Eleanor."
"Believe me, I know."
"Well?"
"No," she said, looking as if she wanted to roll her eyes. "I'm not. That is not to say that I don't want to manage my own life, of course."
"Of course," he murmured.
"But I won't interfere with yours. You won't even know I'm here."
"Somehow I doubt that."