“Mrs. Fielding.” Aaron addressed the housekeeper, who had appeared in the hallway. “Help them pack necessities. We leave within the quarter hour.”
Mrs. Fielding bobbed a curtsy, her face still pale from her ordeal, then cast an uncertain glance toward Louise.
Louise flicked her eyes to the duke, hesitated, then looked back at her housekeeper and gave a small, steady nod.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Mrs. Fielding said.
Louise rose carefully, keeping Emily’s hand in hers. “Your Grace, might I speak with you privately?”
The duke nodded once, sharply. “The library. Mrs. Fielding, stay with the child.”
Louise kissed Emily’s forehead. “I’ll be right back, darling. Help Mrs. Fielding gather your things.”
Emily’s fingers clung for a moment before releasing. “Promise me you’ll come back?”
“Always.”
Louise followed the Duke of Calborough down the stairs, stepping over scattered papers and broken picture frames. The library door stood open, and miracle of miracles, itremained relatively untouched. Perhaps even thieves recognized the worthlessness of their remaining books, water-stained and mildewed as they were.
The duke closed the door behind them. Louise moved to the center of the room, wrapping her arms around herself as if that might hold her together.
“Explain yourself.” She forced steel into her voice. “What do you mean, we’re coming to live with you?”
“Exactly what I said. You and your sister will live at Calborough House until this matter is resolved.”
“That’s impossible. You must see how improper … what people would say …”
The Duke stepped closer, and Louise had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. “What people? The ones who’ve already written your family off? The ones who whisper about your brother’s debts at every gathering?”
The truth of it stung. “We’re not charity cases.”
“No, you’re not.” His voice softened fractionally. “I will receive something in return, both to appease your pride and to keep scandal at bay: you’re going to be my aunt’s companion.”
Louise blinked. “Your aunt?”
“The Dowager Viscountess Merrow, my mother’s sister. She’s been asking for female companionship, someone to help with her correspondence and accompany her on calls. You’ll fill that position.” The duke moved to the window, gazing out at the dark street. “Your sister is young enough that her presence won’t be questioned. It’s a perfectly respectable arrangement.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line. “And that’s it?”
“You’ll both have protection. A safe place to stay while I locate your brother and resolve this situation,” he reasoned.
Louise’s hands clenched in her skirts. “George has been missing for over a week. What makes you think you can find him?”
“I have resources your family lacks. Connections in places where a desperate man might seek refuge. Or further trouble.” The duke turned back to her. “When I find him—and I will—he and I will discuss how to handle his debts properly.”
“Why?” The word escaped before she could stop it. “Why would you do this for strangers?”
The duke was quiet for a long time. When he spoke, his tone was controlled. “Call it a mutually beneficial arrangement. I need someone trustworthy to be a companion to my aunt. You need protection. It’s a practical solution.”
“And Bragg?”
His expression hardened. “Leave Bragg to me. I’ll deal with him.”
“He won’t simply forget about us. About what he wanted me to …” Louise couldn’t finish the sentence.
“He’ll learn that some targets are better left alone.” The quiet menace in his tone made her shiver. “Trust me on this, if nothing else.”
Louise moved to the shelf, running her finger along the spines of books that had belonged to her mother. Water damage had warped most of them beyond saving.
