Joshua Collins looked up at the sound of a knock on his study door. He glanced down at his desk again, then back toward the door.

"Enter."

Moments later, Natalie duPres stood just inside the door to his study. He took a deep breath as he put his pen aside and slowly stood.

"Madame."

"Mister Collins."

"What may I do for you?"

"We must talk - openly and frankly."

"Ahhh,... so your brother has spoken to you."

"About the obstinacy of your legal counsel, yes. Frankly I do not

comprehend their... stubbornness in this matter."

Collins sighed, his shoulders drooping with weariness and frustration. He indicated a chair before his desk and motioned for Natalie to be seated.

"Please, Madame, be seated."

She closed the door, crossed to the chair and sat slowly, her gaze locked with that of Joshua. He eased himself back into his own chair, resigned to a difficult and perhaps unpleasant conversation. Natalie duPres was not the most agreeable woman he'd eve met, yet he'd grudgingly come to admire her common sense, inner strength and level headed-ness.

"Thank you, Mister Collins. My brother has told me the... circumstances and conditions to which your lawyers insist you and he comply. I fail to see the need, with both parties willing to re-negotiate the terms."

Collins nodded as he settled more completely into his high-backed leather chair. He studied Natalie carefully. She was a highly intelligent woman who understood the world of business far better than many men. He could not give her some hastily fabricated explanation and expect her to accept it and believe it.

"My lawyers demand the fulfillment of that clause of the contract because other portions of the contract which depend on a marital union between our two families have already been instituted. To negate that clause - or re-negotiate at this time - would result in extensive, very costly delays neither your brother nor I can afford just now. It would also result in the probable loss of several vital markets and specific clients for both your brother and myself."

"Are your lawyers so heartless that they refuse to take into consideration the... tragedies both our families have suffered in an attempt to meet the terms of this contract?"

"...They are, Madame. That is the reason I retained them - because they are concerned with business matters - with my accounts - and not with the emotional distractions of daily life."

Natalie muttered a very uncomplimentary comment to herself, in French, just softly enough so Joshua could not hear the words, but could hear her tone. He glared at her but said nothing. After several long moments, he sat forward and steadily met her gaze.

"Believe me, Madame, if there were some other way to achieve this goal, I would take advantage of it. I am no more pleased about this mandatory condition than you, but I see no way out of it or around it that would not bring ruin or hardship to your brother and myself."

Natalie sighed heavily, stood and paced the width of the room. She shook her head, then turned to face Joshua.

"Mister Collins, I have no desire to see the livelihoods you and Andre have worked so hard to make thrive be damaged, but I also have no desire to marry or to be used as a... pawn in an international game of business chess. Had I wished to marry, I would have done so long ago - and for love, not to cement a business contract. Women should not be bought and sold as horses or cattle, even though most of you are only interested in the products of our wombs so you may continue your dynasties, either directly via your male heirs or through the sale of your daughters."

Joshua bristled and stood, his gaze locked with Natalie's. He drew breath to soundly berate her, then shook his head, sighed and sat back down.

"I do not agree with you, Madame, but I am too weary, too... beaten to argue. I leave the matter in your hands, with your conscience."

Surprised, Natalie's face softened as she returned to her seat. She watched Collins a moment, then sat forward.

"Why?"

"The biggest sacrifice in this arrangement - if you agree to it - will be yours."

"I see... Tell me, Mister Collins, what would you expect of me from the marriage?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Would you expect that we live together as man and wife, would you expect to come to my bed for marital relations when you wished? Am I to be simply a hostess to business associates, am I to be responsible for the running of this house? What do you perceive my duties and responsibilities to be?"

Joshua grew red as he shifted uncomfortably but did not break eye contact with Natalie. Finally he shook his head negatively.

"No, not if you do not wish to do any of those things. Should you agree ... Natalie... the marriage can be accomplished quietly and privately. I would not expect - or demand - the consummation of the marriage, nor would I object should you desire to return to your own home on Martinique. This would be a marriage of... convenience, a business contract, nothing more."

"I see... How soon must I make a decision?"

"As quickly as possible. I fully realize you have a great deal to consider, but I hope we have reached an understanding."

Natalie nodded. This conversation had been most enlightening. She stood slowly.

"Thank you for your forthright answers, Joshua. I shall not rush into this decision, but neither will I dely overly long.

"Thank you."

Collins inclined his head to Natalie and bowed slightly. She gave him a quick, brief smile, then turned to leave the study.

Unseen by either of them, barely visible and hovering behind Joshua's shoulder, a pair of intense, icy blue eyes framed by a mane of blond curls watched them. Evil delight danced in her eyes as she contemplated the possibilities. Both had been unkind to her, both had refused to treat her with the dignity and respect which was her due, and she was seeing the perfect way to attain her revenge on them both.

"Oh, my dear Countess, what delightful fun I shall have with you."