“Yes, but we are here now to protect her.And I have sent a few letters asking about Mr.Gordstone—to Trem, and John, and Monty, but also to my own solicitor.I want to make sure that everything is in order before you give him any more money.”
Beatrice shook her head at this exasperating request.He did not think her competent enough to make sure the debt was legitimate.
“He showed me the papers.They had my father’s signature upon them.The debt is real.”
“Papers can be forged.By a man of enough skill.”
“I am not such a babe-in-the-woods that I would be tricked.”
“I am not questioning your abilities,” he said, a bite returning to his voice.“But I see no harm in confirming the truth.Particularly since, as of now, he has not asked for anything.There is no urgency.”
She supposed that she couldn’t disagree with this characterization.And yet it irked her all the same.
“He will.And when he does, I will offer him money to leave.My mother thinks that he wants to marry her.Ithink that he will try to coerce her using any means necessary.”
“I will not allow that to happen.”
“You do not control all the world,” she ground out in frustration.
“I will pay the debt myself before I see you or your mother harmed by anyone.”
She whirred around to face him at that.“You will do no such thing.In that case, I would be merely trading one debt for another.”
“Beatrice, it would not be a debt.It would be a gift.”
“I could not accept such a gift from you!”
“Why not?”
She was not sure.She only knew that she wanted Parkhorne Hall to be free.Shewanted to be free.
“It would not be a debt.I would give it you without a thought,” he said.“But would being indebted to me really be so horrible, Beatrice?Do you really think I would abuse such power over you, if I had it?”
She knew he was sensitive to being thought depraved.And his hand had crept up to her face.In an instant, that fire between them, the one that was always there, had flared.
Then she heard a branch snap behind her.
She turned, suddenly, bracing for Mr.Gordstone.
But it was only Malcolm.
He stood there in his work clothes, tall and commanding, as usual.
“Ah,” he said, “I see the Good Samaritan at work.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Not now, Malcolm!”Beatrice lamented, irritated with her brother for his intrusion.“I do not wish to be bothered at present.”
Malcolm sidled up to them, a vexed smile on his face.“My sister and I spent most of our childhood apart.And yet you would never know it for how easily she casts me as the irritating younger brother.”
Beatrice let out a huff of frustration.She had wanted to finish her conversation with Leith.She knew she had not succeeded in making him understand her perspective.
“If you have specific questions about my relationship with Lord Leith that you would like answered, brother, I am happy to do so.But you may not like what you learn.”
Leith looked at her with alarm.
She shook her head.
