She nodded. “I have suspected it for a time, but it seems to have grown beyond his control. We are leaving London.”
Lucas stilled. “Leaving?”
“Yes. I wanted your mother to know that it was not choice that kept me from accepting her very gracious invitations. Lord Tarrington has not felt well enough to attend, and now the household is preparing to return to the country.”
“What will you do?”
“In the country? What I did before coming here.” She laughed a little. “I suppose I will be trading balls for tenants’ laundry.” She didn’t seem too upset about the fact, but something in her tone had him curious.
“How sick is Lord Tarrington?”
Her expression turned grave. “Very. The physicians are concerned about the trip but agree it is necessary.”
“And if he... That is, who will...” Lucas did not know how to phrase his question.
“If he dies, I will become the ward of the next Lord Tarrington, I suppose.” There. The emotion in her tone intensified with her words, and Lucas was able to pinpoint it. Fear. She was scared.
His heart clenched. “Do you know the next Lord Tarrington?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never even heard his name.”
Lucas swallowed. How terrifying to have her future in the hands of someone she did not even know. What if he was a brute? Or still a child?
What if he wished to make Miss Faraday the newLadyTarrington? The very thought had Lucas itching to hit something. He inched forward on the sofa, eyes intent on hers. The fear in her prompted fear in him, and he felt a need to protect her however he could. Could he offer her a place here, in his household?
The idea was ridiculous. If she was living with them, it would be even harder for him to put off the growing feelings he was experiencing. But how else could he help? He could not leave her to fend for herself.
Charlie stirred then, and they all bent forward. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the scene. With a groan, he said, “Who died? You all look blasted grave.”
“Language, Charles,” Mother said, but the rebuke was weak.
“Sorry, Mother.” Charlie moaned. “My head hurts something awful. And my shoulder. Gads but that’s bad.”
“You were hit,” Lucas said. “In a fight.”
“Oh yes. At your club.” Charlie pressed his eyes shut.
“At whose club?” Mother looked up at Lucas in question.
Lucas sighed internally. Was this when he’d have to come clean? As he’d always said, his funding of Colin’s club was not clandestine, but he’d kept it a secret so long, it was hard to share,especially with all the danger that seemed to be surrounding it now.
Thankfully, Father chose that moment to burst into the room. His hair and cravat were askew, presumably from his dash home, and he made straight for Charlie and Mother on the floor. Miss Faraday came to her feet, and so did Lucas. A tap at his arm had Lucas turning to Miss Faraday.
“I should leave you now,” she said. “But do ask your mother to inform me of your brother’s health. And extend my apologies regarding her invitations, if you will.”
Lucas clenched his jaw but nodded. “I will see you to the door.”
“Thank you.”
He led her out of the drawing room to the entry hall beyond. Drake had stepped from the room for a moment, leaving them alone. Miss Faraday glanced at the door.
“If I can help in any way... If you are fearful to go...” He didn’t know what to say. He could not make promises of protection without speaking to his parents, but he hated the haunted look lurking behind her gaze.
She blinked quickly, and he thought he saw her eyes fill. “I admit to worry—no—I admit I am terrified. I do not want to be forced into marriage, but if it is that important to him, what if he finds the first willing man and forces me to the altar before his sickness worsens?”
He grasped her hand, only just realizing that neither wore gloves. The way her palm molded into his sent energy shooting straight to his heart. Her eyes stared down at their hands, but he couldn’t see her expression.
He took a deep breath to steady his voice. “Why does he care so much for your marriage?”
