“Is it?” What had she heard?
“You are known as a man of your word among women.”
He wasn’t aware that he’d had many dealings with women, except for those in Prinny’s circle. His official job was to manage royal warrants or marks, deciding who was allowed to put the royal stamp of approval on things like whiskey or furs. But he also stepped in unofficially when the prince became petulant.
“How exactly will you force Liddican’s reformation?” she pressed.
“I do have some sway over the man. I bought out his debts. I knew his father. And, best of all, Prinny has taken an interestin the way he votes. Between the three, I may moderate his behavior.”
“That wasn’t a ruse? You really bought out all his debt?”
He shook his head. “Not even I have that much blunt. But there are others who did, and they did so on the condition that I would see to his vote.”
“So we are in the same boat. Together, we are beholden to others to curtail him.”
“Not we. Me—”
She turned and set her hand on his chest. She wasn’t a small woman, but she was slender compared to him. And yet, with the heat of her palm burning through his coat, he froze at her earnest expression.
“You are a kind man, Lord Heath. You are a good father, and you might even be an honest man.”
“Stop,” he drawled. “I shall blush.”
“But you are not someone I trust to finish my task.”
Of course not. “Miss Allen, you are a naïve girl with good intentions, but you court disaster.”
She grinned as if he’d complimented her. “Disaster and I are old friends. I already know I will lose everything.” She shrugged. “But this is London. What need has a Scotswoman to live here?”
He shook his head. “Then why are you here?”
“Because the head of my clan gave me three Seasons and a dowry. And he found my sponsor in the Dowager Duchess of Byrning. If I do not marry in that time, he will give me the money to live however I can.”
“A single woman—”
“With coin.”
He sighed. He knew the size of her dowry. It wasn’t enough for what she wanted to do, even if she hadn’t depleted it in the last two seasons.
“It is not enough,” he said.
“I will make it work. And if you press the topic further, I shall punch you. Again.”
He believed her. Odd how that thought made him smile.
Chapter Three
Sadie was donewith naysayers. For all that Lord Heath had impressed her—and he was a very impressive man—he did not know what she wanted for her future. But rather than argue, she gestured to the right.
“This is my home. You have shown me safely here. Thank you for your help, Lord Heath. I shall travel the last way by myself.”
He frowned as he looked at the dark house. “You cannot mean to knock on the front door.”
“There is an entrance in the back. I have the key.”
“I shall escort you there.”
His tone left no doubt as to his determination, and she was vulnerable enough to allow it. She did not like being alone in the dark, and she trusted that no footpad would attack while he was standing guard.
