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.”

She scowled at him. “You know what I mean.”

“Very well, then,” he said. “I think we are making quite a fair-minded deal. I marry you, and you get your money. You marry me, and I get my money.”

Ellie blinked. “I hadn't really thought of it that way, but yes, that's about the sum of it.”

“Good. Have we a bargain?”

Ellie swallowed, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that she had just sold her soul to the devil. As the earl had just pointed out, marriage was forever, and she had known this man but two days. She shut her eyes for a moment, then nodded.

“Excellent.” Charles beamed as he rose to his feet, holding on to the arm of his chair while he steadied his cane. “We must seal our bargain in a more festive manner.”

“Champagne?” Ellie asked, ready to kick herself for sounding so hopeful. She'd always wanted to know what it tasted like.