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“Good move,” Hazlit said. “Divide and conquer, so to speak. When I got your note, I did some poking around regarding Stull.”
“Oh?” The earl paused in the demolition of his chicken sandwich.
“He’s a bad actor,” Hazlit said. “Been making a nuisance of himself in the lower-class brothels, trying to procure young girls, and using thugs to spy on your house.”
My poor A
Hazlit went on to advise the earl Stull had been identified as the purchaser of a large quantity of lamp oil, “right down to the grease stains on his cravat.” The tallish gentleman with him, however, had remained in the shadows. Hazlit further suggested there would be another attempt to kidnap A
“Why won’t the baron just take his lumps and go home?”
Hazlit’s gaze turned thoughtful. “So far, the evidence for arson is all circumstantial. The charges won’t stick. He has a betrothal contract he thinks is valid, and he has Helmsley over a barrel, so to speak, financially. He wants A
“And she would have to be a cow,” the earl muttered, grimacing. “I hate just sitting here, waiting for those idiots to make the next move.”
“And they hate just sitting there”—Hazlit reached for a piece of marzipan—“doing nothing. You should probably prepare yourself for some kind of legal maneuvering.”
“What kind of maneuvering?”
“Charges of kidnapping or alienation of affections, breach of promise against A
“Demands that I marry her?” The earl scowled thunderously. “In God’s name why?”
“If Helmsley sees you are a fatter pigeon than Stull, he’ll rattle that sword.”
“Christ.” The earl got up and paced to the window. A
“We can hope it’s a moot question,” Hazlit said, rising to his feet. “If Stull attempts to remove her from your property, then you bring the kidnapping charges, and that will be the end of it. Unless she’s married to the man, she can testify against him in any court in the land.”
“What was the extent of the old earl’s estate?” the earl asked, staring out the windows. Hazlit named a figure, a very large and impressive figure.
The earl continued to watch as Dev and A
“He most assuredly is,” Hazlit replied, coming to stand where he, too, could look out at the back terrace.
“So I need to prove Helmsley guilty of misfeasance,” the earl said, “and foil the baron’s attempts at kidnapping, and then A
“Not pe
“That is some good news.” The earl turned finally, as Dev was escorting A
The earl turned, watching as Hazlit gathered up his effects. “If nothing else, I appreciate my family more, my siblings and my parents, for this glimpse into A
“You are a fortunate man,” Hazlit said. “In your family, in any case. I’m off to loiter away the afternoon at the Pig. I’ll report when something warrants your attention.”
“I will await your communication,” the earl said, seeing his guest to the door. “But patience is not my greatest strength.”
The earl had no sooner returned to the library than Dev appeared, A
“So who was that?” Dev asked.
“Who was who?”
“That handsome devil who eyed us out the window, the one who stood right beside you,” Dev shot back.
“Benjamin Hazlit. Our private investigator.” The earl turned his gaze to A
“Let him marry you. I think I should join a convent.”
“Now that,” Dev said, “would be an inexcusable waste.”
“I quite agree.” The earl smiled thinly. “Hazlit says we wait now and expect either the baron to try to abduct you again or your brother to bring kidnapping charges.”
A
“Sound reasoning,” the earl said. “I gather you are not impressed.”
“I am not impressed.” A
“I meant you to have some dresses,” the earl said. “Dresses that are not gray or brown or brownish gray or grayish brown. I meant for you to enjoy, at least, the fashions available to you here in London and to spend some time in a pursuit common to ladies of good breeding. I meant to offer you diversion. What did you think I meant?”
“Oh.” A
“I believe I will check on my horses and maybe take one out for a hack,” Dev said and headed for the door.
“In this heat?” the earl asked, incredulous. Dev was nothing if not solicitous of his horses.
“A very short hack,” Dev conceded over his shoulder, leaving A
Why are you ignoring me? A
In all her dealings with him, A
Westhaven was frowning at her. “A
“Like a cranky child? Yes, I suppose I am. Are you?”
He smiled at that, a slow, wicked, tempting grin that heartened A
I missed you last night, but she didn’t say it. Couldn’t say it, with his frown replacing that grin.
“Did you know,” the earl said, “you’re a wealthy woman?”
“I am what?” A
“You are tired.” The earl shifted to sit in his rocker. “Sit down, A
“My situation?” A
“You are wealthy,” the earl repeated. He described her trust fund and her grandmother’s stewardship of it. “You can do any damned thing you please, A
“But why wasn’t I allowed to use my own money?” A
“There are, just waiting for you to claim them.”
“Why wouldn’t my grandmother have told me of this?”
“She might not have known at the time of your departure exactly what funds were available for what purpose,” the earl suggested gently. “She was unwell when you came south, and solicitors can be notoriously closemouthed. Or she might not have wanted to risk Helmsley getting wind if she tried to communicate with you. You must ask her.”
“I knew we had dowries,” A
“Yes,” Westhaven agreed, pulling her to her feet. “Damn him to the coldest circle of hell, and Baron Lardbucket with him. You still look like you need a nap.”