‘Then you did not look very hard,’ he countered. ‘Should you think of doing such a thing again, you will contact me and I will give you the money to hire a post chaise so you and your maid might ride in comfort and safety.’
‘And then you would tell my sister what I have done, so she could put a stop to it,’ Charity retorted.
‘Not necessarily,’ he said. ‘If you asked for my word on the matter I would keep it, as long as I did not think you were doing anything too foolish or dangerous.’ He glanced around the room and shook his head. ‘While I cannot fathom why someone would be eager to sit in this room, I do not think your presence here puts you in any immediate risk.’
‘My sister feels I have an unnatural attachment to the house,’ she said.
‘And do you?’
She thought for a moment. ‘Despite what Hope might think, I understand that I cannot live here for ever and that I need to make plans for the future. She believes that I should do so by attending balls and throwing myself in the way of any eligible man who looks twice at me. I believe that the key to my future is in one of the books of this library.’
He waited for her to elaborate. When it was clear that she had no intention of doing so, he spoke. ‘Then I see no reason why you cannot make your sister happy as well as yourself. If you wish to read the books, take a crate full of them back to London. When you are through with them, exchange them for another batch. Attend a few balls to placate your sister and spend the rest of the time in study.’
She looked surprised at the suggestion. Then she nodded. ‘If that is all it takes to make her happy, I can abide by the conditions. Though there might still come a time when I need to return to the house.’
‘When it does, you will approach me and I will arrange for your travel. Then we will both explain the trip to your sister.’
She looked surprised. ‘That does seem to be a most rational solution.’
He held up a finger. ‘I have but one condition.’
‘Of course you do,’ she said, crestfallen.
‘We must put the plan into effect tomorrow. Or the day after, if that is how long it takes for you to gather your research. I promised your sister that I would bring you back to London and have no intention of breaking my word.’
Her eyes narrowed as she considered the plan.
‘You agreed it was sensible just a moment ago,’ he reminded her.
She sighed. ‘Very well. We will return to London tomorrow with as many books as the coach can hold.’ Her eyes narrowed again. ‘If you can get Hope to agree to the plan as well.’
‘I am sure she will,’ he said. ‘I can be very persuasive, when it is necessary.’
‘I expect you can,’ she said, giving him a different sort of look entirely. ‘Now, if that is all...’ She glanced back at her books, then at the door, clearly eager to go back to her studies.
‘Not quite,’ he said, wondering how best to phrase the questions he needed to ask. ‘You said that I should come to you when I could get no further.’
‘I was under the impression that the completion of the entail was going quite well without any help from me,’ she said, still watching him.
‘You also said that was not my only task.’
She smiled. ‘You are having troubles with my sister.’ She steepled her fingers and leaned forward. ‘Please, tell me more.’
‘Do I have your word that you will not share this conversation with her?’ he asked.
Charity laughed. ‘You are still treating me as if I were a gentleman. How novel. I assure you, Mr Drake, I will say nothing.’
Now he was left with how to ask the questions he wanted answered. ‘I do not fully understand your sister.’ He thought for a moment. ‘And I would very much like to. In fact, I must be sure I understand her completely before I proceed.’
‘Does this pertain to the task Mr Leggett set for you of putting her off marrying the heir?’ She was staring at him intently.
‘Yes.’ He thought for a moment. ‘Somewhat.’ And at last, he confessed. ‘But it is also a personal matter.’
Now Charity’s smile widened. ‘I see.’
He took a breath. ‘I want to know the reason for her obsession with Miles Strickland.’
‘Then why are you asking me?’
