Her thoughts were nearly as tangible as his own.
She swallowed, looking down at her hands tangled in the soft Kashmiri wool of her shawl. “Margaret has said that we cannot remain friends.”
“Yes. I fear she has the right of it.”
Lottie nodded, head still bowed.
“I cannot betray Margaret and Freddie,” her voice so small. “I must choose my family.”
“Aye.”
Another pause.
She lifted her head, eyes crystalline and blue.
“And what will you choose?” she asked.
You,a part of his heart whispered.
You, lass.
I choose you.
Instead, Alex said, “Mr. Bartlet’s revelations yesterday are serious. I plan to investigate them to my fullest ability.”
She pressed a hand into her stomach, a nervous gesture so familiar it tightened his breathing.
“And what if you find they are true?”
He took in a deep breath. “Then I will fight to assume the title.”
Lottie gasped, her eyes flying up to his.
“No!” She pressed her hand firmer over her stomach.
“What else am I to do, Lottie?” He leaned on his single crutch. “I’m a healer. I cannae allow others tae suffer when there is something I can do tae mend it.”
“But you said you didn’t want the marquisate. We’ve had this conversation.”
“Aye! But that was before I realized your brother-in-law was acting like the marquisate is his ownpirlie-pig.”
“Pirlie-pig?”
“His private money box to exploit. If even a fraction of what Mr. Bartlet claims is true, the marquisate is headed into dangerous waters. If the Committee on Privilege sides with Freddie,allthe marquisate’s funds will be released to Lord Frank’s care. He will no longer be constrained. With more funds to hand, who knows what debts Lord Frank will accrue.” Alex raked an agitated hand through his hair. “Even ye must see that, lass. If Lord Frank continues along this path, there may be little left for Freddie to inherit. It behooves us both to properly investigate this.”
“The issues with Frank—ifthey prove true—can be resolved without you having to assume the marquisate—”
“How, lass? How do ye see that happening? That we slap Lord Frank’s wrist and tell him to be nicer? As Freddie’s father, Frank will remain his son’s guardian until he is twenty-one.”
“Yes, but there are other solutions. Margaret and I have been discussion options—”
“Such as?”
“I can’t speak to them all right now!” Lottie all but stamped her foot. “I am simply asserting that you are creating an unnecessary binary decision here. Either Frank ravages the marquisate. Or you take it over. That is a false dilemma. There has to be a way to allow Freddie to inheritandthe estate to be well-cared for.”
Och, Alex loved debating with his fiery lass. Her quick mind always leaped ahead, finding weaknesses in his argument.
Well, except at moments like this, where he was torn between shaking some sense into her and kissing her witless.
