“He has no right!”
“That wouldn’t stop him, you know that.” And then seeming to realize they were discussing a highly personal matter in front of him, the older woman pinched her lips together tightly. “My apologies, my lord.” The smile she summoned seemed more than a little forced.
“Was he in his right mind when you spoke with him?” This from his fiancée. Her anger had flushed her cheeks with a rosy hue and her eyes sparkled in anger. Her hopeful energy lit something inside of him. Caused his heart to skip a beat and speed up at the same time.
What had she asked him?
Justin reached into his pocket to retrieve the contract. “Despite the, er, goings on around him, I do believe he was in his right mind.”
He handed the contract over so both of the women could peruse it. Mrs. Mossant nodded, and his betrothed let out a low moan.
Good lord, but it sent a surge of lust through him.
He cleared his throat. “I have business to attend to.” Such as checking the balance of his savings, reexamining the estate books, and asking his solicitors about investments.
Perhaps while walking over to their offices, he might stumble upon twenty thousand pounds or so miraculously.
A prayer or two couldn’t hurt. He glanced across the room and studied his betrothed. A determined glint had appeared in her eyes, one he barely remembered seeing before the tragedies last summer.
He couldn’t give up yet.
Definitely, prayer was in order.
“If you’re amenable, I will return this afternoon to take you driving in the park?” He wanted more time alone with her, regardless of what the future held.
She met his gaze fiercely. “I look forward to it.”
Thinking Outside the Box
Rhoda’s mother’s timing could not have been worse.
“Let’s not be hasty,” he’d said. He’d been about to kiss her. He’d reached out to pull her in his arms. And she’d been about to swoon in his direction.
She’d wanted his mouth on hers. She needed it. His head had tilted forward.
But, of course, her blasted mother had chosen such a romantic moment to come barging in!
A frustrated huff escaped Rhoda’s lips.
And now he was gone again.
He still wanted to marry her, butdidhe really? A small savings, even her small dowry, would have done little to bolster an estate.
But he hadn’t cried off. Perhaps he felt sorry for her and was delaying the inevitable. She imagined she’d find out this afternoon, when he collected her for their drive in the park.
It would be her first time in society since leaving London last week. Would she be received?
“I have a little money set aside, dear. I thought something like this might happen. My grandmother gave it to me, and now I can give some of it to you. I cannot give all of it to you, of course. But if the only obstacle to your happiness comes down to the matter of a dowry… You needn’t be denied. I need to save some for Coleus and Hollyhock’s come out, of course. If your father had known the funds existed, they’d be long gone.”
What was her mother going on about? “You kept money from Father?” Rhoda wrinkled her brow. Perhaps there was more to her mother than Rhoda had given her credit for.
“I can give you one thousand pounds. I expect you to invest it wisely, in case your husband is unable to provide for you properly.”
Who was this woman and what had happened to her mother?
“I… um. Mother. I don’t know what to say.”
Her mother met her gaze and smiled wisely. “We women, even ladies of theton, have to take care of ourselves.”
