A/N: I'm back with a little something something. This is sort of a Pride and Prejudice/Devil in Winter AU. I haven't actually read the latter book but I read a fic based on the same book and I loved the whole trope.

Chapter 1

Who was it that said "a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife?"

Virginia Potts couldn't remember.

The ball she was currently attending was packed with numerous single, eligible and rich gentlemen. The natural response of course would be to fawn and giggle all over them like the ladies and their mothers around her were doing. But Virginia didn't want to be the wife of a rich bachelor.

No. She had her eyes set on a rather poor one. The poorer the better, she thought. And there was only one who fit the description.

Virginia's gaze landed on particularly handsome gentleman who was currently flirting with Miss Hansen. Virginia suppressed a satisfied smirk. Miss Hansen's dowry of fifteen thousand dollars would do Anthony Stark no good.

She straightened her shoulders and took the first step that would lead to her salvation.

...

"I confess I have an ulterior motive in asking you to dance," she said to Stark, not bothering with the pleasantries or the usual arts employed in seducing men. She had everything Stark needed; seducing him was completely unnecessary.

Stark grinned. "Do tell."

"I want you to marry me."

The man blinked, surprised, but recovered quickly. As they made one turn on the dance floor, he said, "Most women do. Pray tell me how you'll achieve such a thing? You're certainly beautiful enough to tempt me, but word is you and your dowry of fifty thousand dollars are soon to be in the property of one Aldrich Killian."

Virginia sighed, recalling the conversation she overheard between her uncle and Killian only minutes prior. "Yes, my uncle and Mr. Killian have indeed reached an understanding... with each other."

"Ah. But the lady hasn't given her consent."

Virginia leaned close to him and said, "Killian is a known scoundrel, he beats his servants and his lovers. I'll not have him as my husband."

Stark scoffed. "But you'll have me? You know I'm not the most honorable gentleman."

At least he was candid, Virginia thought. Stark was a known philanderer and gambler-far from the definition of a gentleman despite him being born one. "I'd rather marry a promiscuous man than an abusive one. Besides, I've thought this through."

"You could not have possibly thought this through." Virginia opened her mouth to retort but Stark continued, "Why not simply take your fortune and live your life an old maid? You're of age. Surely your uncle cannot force you to marry Killian."

Virginia looked at him with an odd expression. She would've thought Stark would jump at an opportunity to regain his wealth. "That's true. I am of age. But my parents stipulated that I will only have access to my fortune upon my marriage. So rather than live with a wife beater, I've spent weeks planning and choosing the right man to marry, a man who needs what I have to offer."

"And I am in need of your... offering, am I?" Virginia brought her mouth close to Stark's ear and whispered, "I know you're in debt."

Stark's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"

"Your accountant is a brother to my uncle's steward. And word is that your steward's mismanagement of the estate and your constant love of... entertainment has left you in want of a rich bride. Now, I am more than happy to help you with my fortune and still leave you with enough money to regain profit."

"Ah, I see," Stark nodded, feigning disinterest... well, Virginia hoped he was merely pretending. She needed him and he needed her. "So our marriage is to be a business arrangement, is it?"

"Yes. All I ask is that I receive an allowance every month."

"A reasonable request."

"A room all to myself and..."

"And?"

"And under no circumstances do we consummate the marriage." Stark barked a laugh which earned them some curious looks. He lowered his voice and said, "Not consummate it? Then that isn't a marriage. Besides, you don't know what you're missing."

Virginia wrinkled her nose. "Don't flatter yourself. I know exactly what I'll be missing with you and it doesn't bother me in the slightest."

"Well, it may not bother you, but the thought of entering into celibacy isn't my cup of whiskey."

"I never said you need to be celibate. You can keep your women as long as they come and go without my knowledge. You need not worry about hurting my feelings on that end either seeing as there is no love between us to be lost."

"And what of heirs? Will you not fulfill your wifely duty to me?" He wiggled his eyebrows while Virginia raised hers. "You already have an heir. How old is your son now? Five? In return for your... generosity, I would gladly be his stepmother. One so young must surely need maternal guidance."

Stark looked pensive, Virginia noted. And a deal more thoughtful at the prospect of having a mother for his son than at the chance at gaining fifty thousand dollars.

"So? What do you say?" She took Stark's proffered arm and they began to walk away.

Stark did not bother to reply and instead whispered something in a servant's ear whilst tucking a note in the latter's breast pocket. Then he tugged a confused Virginia away from the crowd.

They slipped inside the library.

"Why have you brought us here?" she asked as Stark removed his dinner jacket. Then he ruffled his hair while saying, "So that nobody overhears, of course. Killian would have my head were he to realize I plan to steal his bride under his nose." He took a look at her and then tutted. "You need to look less put together.

"What?" Virginia took a step back as he approached.

"Trust me." He said calmly. "We need it to look like I've ruined you. It's the only way your Uncle will allow us to marry." A scandal would certainly stay her Uncle's hand. Virginia stopped retreating and let Stark near her.

Alone in the library, it was only then that Virginia noticed how much taller she was compared to him. And yet small was not a word she could bring herself to describe him. Stark was... seemed... larger than life. She faintly understood why women were drawn to him.

"Am I to understand you're agreeing to marry me?"

"Yes, now let me just..." he took one pin from her hair and Virginia felt her red curls tumble behind her. Then Stark said, "Now, a proper proposal starts with you on your knees."

Virginia's eyes darted to his crotch and then back up to Stark. She scowled. "I'm not going to give you a-"

"Not what I had in mind although maybe save that for the honeymoon. I meant for you to ask me to marry you."

"Oh." Virginia felt warmth rise to her cheeks and she was glad her hair hid them as she knelt. Then she looked at Stark and without pomp or emotion, asked, "Will you marry me?"

"Not the proposal I was expecting but..." Then Stark sighed dreamily, clutched his chest and dramatically said, "Yes, a thousand times yes!"

Virginia would have rolled her eyes at his theatrics but then she heard people right outside the library doors. She didn't have time to react before Stark pulled her to her feet, uttered a quick apology, and kissed her.

He had a hand entwined in Virginia's hair and she could feel his warmth through her dress. He tasted like wine and grapes and-

"What is the meaning of this?!" Virginia pushed Stark away to find the servant Stark had spoken to earlier, her Aunt Helen, Uncle Harold, Killian, and a few guests (growing in number) gawking at them.

Beside her uncle, Killian looked as red as Virginia's dress. He turned to Uncle Harold and snarled, "You promised her to me unspoiled and now I find her in the arms of another? The agreement is off." He turned on his heels and disappeared in the sea of onlookers who were now whispering words Virginia could very well imagine. She didn't have the heart to appear ashamed, though. Not if this would save her.

Meanwhile, Poor Aunt Helen was fanning herself frantically as she moaned, "Oh, Harold! She is ruined! Nobody will marry her now!"

It was at that moment that Stark spoke. "Do not fret, Mrs. Potts. There need not be a scandal. For I will do right by your niece." Stark took Virginia's hand and gazed at her with a sparkle in his eye, "I will marry her."

A/N: Yes, i know the vocabulary in this fic isn't even accurate for the period. I don't care.