“I don’t want to,” she snapped, which made his lips twitch.
“You’re extremely strong willed, aren’t you?”
“You make that sound like a fault, my lord.”
“I’m sure in some situations it is.”
“As I am a woman, Lord Hamilton, I must be meek and agreeable?”
“I did not say that, Miss Spencer.” He raised a hand as she opened her mouth. “Tell me why you were in that gambling hell dressed as a man?”
Evie gave up then. It was done. He had seen her and could destroy her family with just a few words. He held all the cards. She would have to swallow her pride and tell him her story.
“We have no money, and this season will be our one and only.”
“And you want a wealthy husband to rescue your family?”
“You make me sound shallow, when all I want is to settle my father and sister in comfort.”
“And that will not happen if you do not marry well?”
“Not me, my sister,” she said. “I want that for her. I am more than happy to go back to the country with my father.”
“Presumably with your sister’s husband’s money to live on?”
“Don’t you dare mock me,” Evie snapped. “You live in your bloody grand town house with staff to run hither and yon after you. Never, not once in your life, have you worried where yournext meal would come from, or how you will provide for your family,” Evie said, desperation making her angry. “You have no right to stand judgment on me for doing what I must.”
Evie could hear the rasp of her agitated breathing in the sudden silence.
“I was not judging you, so please do not presume to know me or my motives.” His face held no mockery.
Evie returned her eyes to the window, unsure what to say next.
“So, you are gambling to keep your family afloat while you are here in London for the season?”
She nodded.
“Miss Spencer, I want to ask you another question, something I asked you the evening I found you in Lord Bailey’s conservatory.”
“I have no wish to answer any more questions, my lord. I have told you why I did what I have done. If you choose to ruin me and my family, there is little I can do about that.”
“Were you distressed at the Bailey ball because of something Lord Cavendish said to you?”
“Yes,” Evie whispered.
“What did he say to you, Miss Spencer?”
“He wishes me to be his wife and told me he knows of my family’s circumstances,” she whispered.
“He is going to blackmail you into marrying him?”
“I fear that is exactly what he will do.”
“And you have no wish to marry a man of his circumstance and wealth?” The words were cool. “It would surely solve all your problems?”
Evie looked down at her gloved hands clenched in her lap.
“I hate that man, Lord Hamilton. I would rather marry a rodent.”
