Jackson lifted his gaze to meet Lord Byrn’s with a level of fury that he rarely let show. “And you think I don’t see her value.”
“I don’t know if you see it,” Byrn said coldly. “I don’t think you’re worthy of it.”
Well that was putting it succinctly. And though the hit stung, Jackson answered it in the only way he could. “Perhaps I will change your mind.”
“Or perhaps you will look for a bride elsewhere because Gwen’s dowry is not what you think.”
He doubted it. Lady Gwen’s mother had made the exact amount abundantly clear over the years. And had, indeed, raised the number as the years passed. “Let me guess, you will cut her off if she were to choose me as her groom.”
“I would. Without hesitation.”
A lie. Only the most hardhearted family would turn their backs on a loved one in need, and it was clear that Byrn had true feelings for his sister. If she made an unfortunate choice in husband, her brother would do his best to help her.
“Is that theother thingyou mentioned?”
“Yes.”
How prosaic. Such a dramatic wind up for a simple monetary threat. “It does not occur to you that I could be interested in your sister simply because she is delightfully intelligent and has a wicked sense of humor?”
“Of course, you could be. You’re accounted fairly smart.”
“Thank you?”
“I am here to tell you that as a marriage prospect, my sister is out of your reach. And I’m definitely not giving her her money early just because you’ve turned her head.”
“I’ve turned her head?” That was an interesting thought.
“She asked for her dowry just this afternoon.”
Had she?
“She said she had an investment in mind.”
“Mine?” The thought made his heart leap.
“Something about canals. Since that has nothing to do with greenery—”
“Isabelle.” Damn it. The shrew was trying to get her niece to invest. “It won’t work unless your sister wants to supervise the upgrade of the locks. Lady Meunier needs more than money. She needs someone to supervise the work. And it won’t be Isabelle wading into the muck.”
Lord Byrn stared at him, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Aunt Isabelle wants my sister’s dowry?”
“Yes.”
“But she said—”
“Don’t!” Jackson interrupted. He was too tired to even ask which “she” Byrn was referring to. “If you insult me or your sister again, Byrn, I might lose my temper and—”
A heavy knock on his door interrupted his violent mood. Bloody hell, he could go weeks without a single visitor and now he suddenly had two in the space of ten minutes.
“Come,” he snapped. Might as well see life’s newest surprise.
The door opened as he was speaking. It was Lucas, who had played Lord Lucifer during last night’s masquerade. He looked annoyed as he pushed through the door, but his eyes widened when he saw his brother-in-law here even as his attention was on Jackson.
“I see Lady Meunier has been busy,” Lucas drawled.
Internally Jackson sighed, but outwardly he merely raised his brows, inviting Lucas to explain. Lord Byrn wasn’t so restrained.
“What does that mean? What does Aunt Isabelle have to do with anything?”