She braved the last few steps to stand directly in front of the door. She raised a hand to lift the knocker, but the door swung open before she even touched it. A tall figure barreled out, crashing into her.
She gasped, but as she started to fall back, the person grabbed her arms, holding her steady. A cane clattered to the ground at her feet.
“I beg your pardon,” said a deep voice.
Meredith, finally gathering her wits, got a look at the man who had almost sent her tumbling down the stairs.
The man was beautiful. His hair as dark as a raven’s wing, and his penetrating blue eyes were so striking that she could only stare at them. He was tall, quite tall, and to lift her head now, to gaze up into this man’s face, was pleasant in a way she couldn’t explain.
He wore a fine tailored coat of dark green that paired with his buff colored trousers, and they fit him so perfectly she could not help but notice his lean hips and muscled thighs. Meredith blinked as a spark of heat filled her body. This man was appealing in a way she’d never felt before.
She had met a fair few gentlemen whenever she and Uncle Ben had visited the village of Burton Agnes, but she’d never seen anyone like this. He was simply beautiful.
He was also a little frightening, because there was an intensity coiled up within him like a wound spring.
The gentleman’s eyes roved over her in a similar fashion, and Meredith wondered, no, wished, he was as curious about her as she was of him.
Suddenly recalling her purpose for standing there, she spoke.
“Are—are you Lord Tiverton?”
“Yes,” the man replied without hesitation.
Meredith dug into her reticule for Uncle Ben’s letter and held it out to him.
Puzzled, he took the letter and opened it, unfolding the pages as he silently read its contents. When he had finished reading it, he lifted his eyes to hers.
“What is your name, child?” His tone was curt, and she immediately rankled at being called a child when just moments ago she had his attention as a woman. What had Uncle Ben written in his letter to change this man’s attitude toward her?
“I’m not a child,” she said. “And it’s Meredith Montague.”
“Have you read this?” Tiverton lifted the letter up.
She shook her head. “No, but Uncle Ben said I was to deliver it to you. He said that you would help me find…a husband?” She prayed Uncle Ben was right about this man.
Ignoring her question, Tiverton said, “You traveled all the way from Yorkshire alone?” He glanced around behind her, as if expecting her to have a chaperone.
“Yes, I took stagecoaches and spent the night at a coaching inn last evening. I had little pin money saved up, but I am thankful you are home this evening… I have no money to stay anywhere else.”
There, she’d said it. She’d made it clear she was dependent on him. Now she had to pray he wouldn’t toss her out.
“My uncle was unable to leave you no money at all?” he asked.
“He tried, but…you see, it was a bit complicated after he died. His will only left a wish for his son to provide me with a home and money at his discretion. Harry said that I should remain at your uncle’s estate, and… Well, he demanded I be his companion if I wished to stay. Naturally, I couldn’t agree. No matter how insistent he was.”
She rubbed her arms, and Tiverton’s eyes dropped from her face to her body. She looked down to see the bruises which had started to yellow on her wrist. “He then refused to provide me with any money at all, since it was at his discretion.”
Tiverton scowled. She feared she had upset him. Were he and Harry close? Had she made a grave error in speaking so frankly? But it was her way to be open on most matters. She’d never learned to guard herself in conversation, as many ladies were directed to.
“Harry is a bastard,” Tiverton said, his tone abrupt. He turned around and opened the door to his home. “You will be safe with me.”
A tidal wave of relief rushed through her. She did feel safe. No matter how intense Tiverton was, he didn’t scare her, not like Harry had. But her relief was short-lived as his focus dropped to the travel case at her feet.
“I don’t suppose you have any decent evening gowns in that small travel case?”
“Only one, but it’s a bit out of fashion?—”
“It will do. Come inside and change quickly. I’m off to a play that I simply cannot miss, and you shall come with me so we can discuss your situation further.” He bent down to retrieve the cane he had dropped.
