“Sir Oliver,” he said, “it was not part of my orders that you be brought here and confined, but I did send men to find you and watch over you. I accept responsibility for their over-enthusiasm and apologize.”
“But why did you do such a thing?”
“I intended to marry your sister, but had no mind to cover even more of your debts.”
Oliver flushed. “I’m done with gaming forever.”
“I’m delighted to hear it,” said Bryght dryly. “But can we believe you?”
“I don’t see that you have much choice.”
“Don’t you?”
Portia stepped between them. “You will not harm him,” she stated fiercely. “I will not permit it.”
“I didn’t think you would.” She couldn’t read him at all.
“What reason do you have to distrust Oliver’s word, when you made the same promise to me and expected to be believed?”
“I have never been a besotted gamester.”
“You’re known the length of the country for it!”
“But not for losing.”
Portia could see his temper shortening, but would not back down. “Does that make it right?”
“It helps.”
“Not for the people you steal from.”
He hissed in a breath. “Portia—”
“My lord,” said Oliver stepping forward and pushing Portia behind him, “you will have to trust me.”
Bryght turned his cold eyes on him, and Portia could only be glad of it. She was brutally reminded that there was a reckoning to come.
“In case I prove frail,” Oliver said with dignity, “other measures have been taken. I am to join the army. In fact, I had an appointment with the colonel of the 5th, which your men made me miss.”
“My apologies. But it is possible to game in the army, you know.”
“But he won’t,” said Portia quickly. “Oliver has always wanted the army. It’s boredom that has led to gaming. I don’t want to see him in a war, but…”
“…but it is better,” completed Bryght. “Since I’m apparently not permitted to wring his neck, I suppose it will have to do.”
“There is more,” said Oliver stiffly. “I would not have told you, my lord, were it not for the fact that you seem to be my brother-in-law. Which I still find most peculiar. But, while Lord Walgrave has bought up the debt on Overstead, he is not returning the property to me just yet. It is a mortgage of sorts, but more stringent than most mortgages. My mother and sisters…” He broke off to cast a puzzled look at Portia. “My mother and sister will live at Overstead, but I cannot lose what I do not own. He has given me his word that he will not release the property to me to pay any kind of debt.”
“Neat. Walgrave has more wit that I took him for.” Bryght turned to Portia. “If you’d told me this, you could have saved me and your brother a great deal of trouble.”
“I didn’t know the details, but even if I had I wouldn’t have thought it any of your business.”
“And it is none of my business, I suppose, why you were exchangingbillets douxwith Walgrave at our wedding feast, and then ran off with him?”
“Because you wouldn’t bring me!”
“Or what happened other than kisses during the journey.”
“Nothing happened! You’re going to have to trust me.”
