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Perhaps this payment of the devil would go far easier than he had first anticipated. The daughter seemed far more reasonable than her parent, and he put his impression to the test. “Further, during the course of the marriage I would not interfere with you nor you with me.”
    “Excepting in the event of social obligation, of course. Then a mutual agreement of conduct must be negotiated,” she said.
    His lordship’s pleasantness of expression disappeared and he regarded her warily. “Meaning exactly what, Miss Cribbage?”
    She smiled and lifted her hands. “Only that I shall be open to your lordship’s suggestions if my conduct as your wife does not strike the proper note.”
    “Agreed, and I shall grant you the privilege of telling me to go to the devil whenever the occasion warrants,’’ said Lord Chatworth. He smiled suddenly. “I like your prosaic attitude, Miss Cribbage. It bodes well for a successful partnership.”
    Babs laughed, aware that she had both surprised and pleased him. But she swiftly sobered because there was one important point that they had not yet covered. “My lord, there is one other consideration. I do not know how to put it delicately. There is the question of an heir, Lord Chatworth.‘‘ Faint color rose in her face as she met his expression of open astonishment. She said somewhat unsteadily, “If you agree, my lord, either of our bastards would be eligible to succeed to the title. Or perhaps you would prefer some relation of yours.”
    Lord Chatworth stared speechlessly at her. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he recalled Cribbage’s bland refusal to take insult when he had questioned the daughter’s honor. Anger rose in him along with his suspicions. He said softly, “Your bastard, Miss Cribbage? Are you breeding, by chance?”
    Babs recoiled, her face flaming. “No, of course not! I only meant that . . . My lord, we do not know how long the arrangement between us must exist. I thought in the instance that one of us should become attached outside... if the affair were discreet ...”
    “Ah, I understand.” Lord Chatworth considered her unsmilingly for some seconds. “You are a very unusual young woman.”
    Barbara pulled at the strings of her reticule, a sickening sensation in the pit of her stomach. He obviously found her contemptible. The dark memory of the debacle of her comeout rose to stifle her anew. She could scarcely bear it. “I apologize most profoundly, my lord,” she said in a suffocated voice. She avoided his eyes. “It was an ill-considered thought.”
    “On the contrary, Miss Cribbage.”
    Her fingers stilled their agitated movement at the approval in his voice. She looked up. Lord Chatworth’s smile was almost warm, she thought dazedly.
    “Quite practical, actually. I so agree, Miss Cribbage.” Lord Chatworth held out his hand. “I believe we shall deal well together. Shall we make it binding?”
    Babs responded with a flickering smile and shook his hand in a solemn fashion.
    Lord Chatworth rose and walked to the bellpull hanging alongside the mantel. “Would you care to join me in celebration of our prenuptial agreement? A sherry, perhaps?”
    Babs rose from the settee, reaching up to replace the veil as she did so. It would cause her acute embarrassment to allow her face to be seen by any of the earl’s servants. “Thank you, but, no, my lord. I really must go.”
    The sitting-room door opened in response to Lord Chatworth’s tug on the bell rope and a footman appeared. “My lord?”
    “A cab for the lady,” commanded Lord Chatworth.
    “I have one waiting, my lord,” Babs said quickly.
    “Indeed? Then I shall not require your services, after all,” said Lord Chatworth, dismissing the footman with a gesture. He offered his arm to his visitor. “Allow me to escort you to your carriage, ma’am.”
    Babs placed her fingers lightly on his sleeve. Lord Chatworth walked her out of the town house down to the street. He handed her up into the