Wang frowned, taking the seat in front of hers. “From what I know, their marriage ended rather badly. He divorced her, after all, which is almost unheard of. She never mentioned the Earl, but Colin always spoke of their parent’s marriage as…tempestuous.”
“Oh, I’m sure it was. My husband was very forceful as well, and proud. I can imagine how such personalities might clash. But I think, deep down, he admired her. And always loved her.”
“Why divorce her, then, and abandon his wife and child? Why marry you?”
She shrugged. Regretting having started this conversation. It was painful and useless, since both people in question were already dead.
“Like I said, he was a proud man. He wouldn’t apologize or compromise. I think he married me because he wanted someone meek and biddable. The opposite of his first wife. But then he found that my compliance bored him.”
He crouched in front of her, in a gesture she was beginning to recognize as something he did when he wanted to speak to her heart to heart.
“Then he was a fool. First for letting his first wife and child go, and then for not appreciating you. Esther, you mustn’t compare yourself to her. You two have very different temperaments, but you are every bit as courageous. You possess a quiet strength. A gentle spirit is no less valuable than a bold one.”
“But less exciting.”
He gave her a smile laden with promise and burning desire. “Oh, you are most definitely exciting. And passionate. A man would be so lucky to delight in you for a lifetime.”
Their gazes connected, and something arced between them. An acknowledgement of a feeling neither dared to mention.
He straightened up. “I could take you up to your room now if you wish. You should know that I have let the two upper floors, since I don’t need that much space, and it seems like a waste to have all those empty rooms. But I hope you find your accommodations appropriate.”
She recognized what he was doing, accepted his deflection. They had wandered into dangerous territory.
“What a practical concept,” she replied. “In that regard, you must consider the British aristocracy quite a wasteful lot. Wehave huge townhouses in London and even bigger estates in the country, where most of the rooms sit unused.”
He smiled faintly. “I’ve noticed. That’s why I thought to warn you. I hope you won’t mind. They won’t disturb you since the apartment has its own entrance. We still have three bedchambers in the main residence, so you won’t lack space.”
“I’m sure I’ll be perfectly comfortable. After all, I shared a tiny cabin with you for days and have never been happier in my life.”
He nodded, giving her one of those tender smiles. “At the moment, the house has no staff. I had a lady who came to cook and clean, but since I’ve been gone, she only comes once a week to dust the cobwebs. I shall send her notice that I’ve returned and also see about hiring more servants. How many servants do you require?”
Esther shook her head, her eyes widening with alarm at the thought of putting him through more expenses. “Oh, no. I don’t need any servants. With my maid to help me, and the woman who comes to clean and cook, we shall be fine.”
“You are accustomed to more servants. I don’t want you to go without.”
“I don’t need more servants. Truly, it’s an unnecessary expense.”
“You shouldn’t concern yourself about the expenses.”
She frowned, annoyed. “Wang, you keep saying that, but I know nothing about your finances. For all I know, you are overextending yourself, and I don’t want to be a burden. My late husband kept me in the dark about money as well. He paid for my expenses but never discussed finances with me. I supposed he considered me too delicate to understand money. When he died, I found out that the estate was not doing as well as it once was. He left me a pittance, and if it hadn’t been for Colin’s generosity, I would be living in genteel poverty, despitebeing a countess. So forgive me for worrying about money and expenses.”
He frowned. “You are right, of course. My apologies. It was not my intention to patronize you. As I told you before, I can well afford it. Though the means through which I obtained my fortune is not something I’m proud of, which is why I avoid discussing it. But you deserve to know.”
His eyes lowered as he stood and walked away, bracing his hand on the fireplace mantel. Esther braced herself for the revelation. What could possibly be so bad that would make him so uncomfortable?
“I used to be a prizefighter. A man who fights for money—that was the path of destruction I told you about. I spent years doing that. Traveling from city to city. When I became too notorious in one, I would move to the next. I made quite a tidy fortune by misusing my skills to beat men I had no quarrel with. I live simply, so the money is untouched.”
Ladies were not supposed to know about those fights, and the bets placed on their outcomes, but she knew. She had heard of boxers who had made their fortunes in the ring. Wherever gambling and vice were involved, there was money to be made. He would have been a formidable opponent. She had seen him fight off three attackers who were also skilled fighters. And although he wasn’t big or bulky, she knew firsthand the strength of the arms that had carried her so many times. The power and agility in his whipcord body. But it was difficult to reconcile the kind, courteous, and protective man in front of her who lived to heal people with the merciless fighter.
“Why did you do it?” she asked quietly. There was no censure in her tone, only curiosity.
“I told you about the circumstances under which I left China. When I arrived in this country, I was angry and quick to take offense for any real or perceived slight. I had troublemaintaining a job and brawled constantly. A prize promoter saw me and offered me money to fight. More money than I would have earned in a month of honest labor. With the promise of more if I won.” He shrugged. “Like the saying goes, one wrong step leads to every step being wrong. I’m not proud of how I made my money. I think that’s why I hesitate to use it. But I will gladly use it on you.”
“But you came out of it. You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. You were grieving and hurting. We all make mistakes when under the influence of such emotions. Most people don’t even recognize when they are in the wrong, much less try to make amends. But you turned around. Look at how many people you have helped since then. Including me. You’ve always had a core of honor and goodness, even during the darkest times. The way you came to Colin’s rescue when they were being attacked proves that.”
His lopsided smile conveyed his skepticism. “I still have much to atone for. But I didn’t tell you the story to gain your sympathy, but to convince you that you needn’t worry about money. But enough of that. Let’s get you settled in your room, and then I’m going to feed you.”
Thescentofgarlicand ginger filled the small but well-appointed kitchen, mingling with the faint smokiness of sizzling oil. Esther sat by the worktable, arms loosely crossed, watching in awe as Wang moved about the space with effortless precision.
