They began a procession up the hill, James and Lady Bowcott leading the group.
Lucas ignored the now-familiar simmering sensation that occurred where his arm met Miss Faraday’s hand. Perhaps if he could frame her in a different light, he would not feel so drawn to her. They could be friends, could they not? She had proven trustworthy, and he enjoyed her company. Friends. Yes. He had several of those and had managed to maintain the relationships. He could do the same with Miss Faraday. That would not be too dangerous. Or, at least, that’s what he hoped.
“I am sorry you could not read your letter right away,” he said, opening the conversation.
Her lips twisted in a grimace. “I admit that I am as well. I hope it will contain a great deal of information regarding my past and my future.”
“I hope it does.”
She smiled at him then focused on her feet for a moment. “Will Mr. Trenway’s family fare well as he heals?”
That was an astute question. “We’ve found some work he can do in the meantime. Non-physical and fairly easy.”
“That is kind of you.” She paused. “Do you do that often? Find work for others? Something your friend said made me think perhaps that is a job you undertake often, but if it’s presumptuous of me to ask, feel free to keep your silence.”
Lucas paused as well, weighing the risk of sharing all with her, but this part was not so bad as the boxing, and she’d borne that knowledge well. “Yes. We try to help where we can. That is what I was doing at Mr. Sperry’s office.”
Her eyes lit with understanding. “Ah. That makes a great deal more sense than you taking an interest in law.”
Lucas chuckled. “While I am sure it is fascinating, I do not have much knowledge in that area.”
“Nor I. I hope the details of my inheritance do not prove too taxing for me.”
“If they are, I imagine Sperry will help you sort it all out. He is a brilliant fellow.”
She nodded. “He said he receives many odd requests in inheritance cases.”
“Oh? Was yours an odd one?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I suppose not as much as it could be. I cannot marry.”
He stumbled over his own feet. “At all?”
“Not for two years.” She gave him a sheepish look. “I have tried to put off the few suitors I seem to have gained, but Lord Tarrington is particularly interested in having me married. I cannot see why, as he did not take the slightest interest in me before this year.”
Lucas chewed on his words, unsure of just what to say. His mind seemed to be circling the fact that she could not marry. It was fixated on that one fact and could not be moved.
“Charlie,” he said suddenly, realizing what this meant for his brother—and forcing himself to stop thinking what it might mean for him.
She nodded, a frown marring her face. “I do not know what to do. Perhaps—and I do not mean for this to sound forward or presumptuous—but perhaps, if he has an interest in courting me... you could put him off?”
Lucas swallowed. He wanted nothing more.
“I am sorry. That is asking a great deal. You probably think me terrible, to allow his attentions at all.”
He shook his head. “No. I do not think you are terrible. I only...” He paused, putting his thoughts to right. “I will see what I can do about Charlie.”
“Thank you. Now to stop all the other men my guardian will throw my way.”
His heart sputtered, as if he’d taken a hit to the chest. “Do you need help with them as well?”
She did not seem to notice the tightness in his voice. “I cannot imagine what you can do. I will just attempt to put them off until Lord Tarrington allows me to go home.”
Go home? And then what? Would this association of theirs end? After being dragged along on Charlie’s ridiculous schemes, they’d formed this sort of friendship, and Lucas was suddenly aware of how greatly he did not wish to lose it.
“Your club,” Miss Faraday said, changing the subject. “Does anyone else in your family help with that endeavor? Your brother?”
Lucas shook his head. “Just Colin and I.” He glanced sidelong at her, shortening his steps when he saw she was hurrying to keep up. “My family do not know of it.”
