He leaned one shoulder against the wall. “Why do you suppose I chose law as my profession if I don’t have any respect for rules?”
Drat. That was a reasonable question. “Perhaps you enjoy enforcing them, but not following them?”
He shook his head. “Enforcing the law is not my responsibility. My role is to ensure fairness regarding the consequences that occur when rulesarebroken. When I changed my plans for my profession from the church to the law, it was because I wanted to be an advocate for those who were falsely accused. There is no better fulfillment to me than freeing an innocent person from facing punishment they don’t deserve—years of imprisonment, or even death.”
It was strange to hear Alexander speaking in a serious voice, with passion behind his words. I had come with the sole purpose of sharing my clue with him, but I didn’t want this conversation to end. There was more I wanted to know. “You said you couldn’t afford a lease in London…where will you go when the house party is over? Have you been able to find many clients?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I plan to go back to York. My reputation has grown there better than it ever will in London. I have several connections who will continue to recommend me when I return. At least, I hope they will.” He gave a pained smile.
I bit my tongue to stop myself from asking the other question that burned in my mind. If all his clients were in York, then why was he in London at all?
Why was he so eager to greet Miles upon his return?
He had refused to tell me the reason. He had said I wouldn’t believe him. In truth, I didn’t know what to believe. My head had firm opinions, but my heart had been developing some of its own. The stories Miles had told me about Alexander seemed impossible now.
I pushed my questions aside. Speaking of Miles had only become a point of contention between us. “I’m certain you’ll find many clients there,” I said with an encouraging smile. I didn’t like his somber expression. “And if by any chance you don’t, I suppose you could always marry an heiress. Surely you would be capable of charming any lady you wanted.”
“Notanylady.” His eyes met mine.
My throat dried up, and I tried to swallow.
Thankfully, he spoke again, breaking the silence. “You won’t find me hunting a fortune. I meant what I said to Octavia. I won’t marry for anything but love.” He pushed away from the wall, taking a few steps closer to me. “I saw how my parents bickered and avoided one another. Their marriage was arranged because of my father’s land and my mother’s dowry. To this day, they rarely speak.”
My brow furrowed. “Truly? I never knew they were so distant.” Miles had never spoken of it, and I had never asked. I had been raised beyond the age of seven without a mother, so I hardly remembered the relationship my father shared with her. I had certainly seen the consequences.
Alexander nodded, his gaze searching my face. “Did your parents marry for love? As I recall, your father raised you alone?”
“Well, I don’t know if I would call it that.” I walked toward one of the blue velvet sofas, dropping down into the soft cushions. Alexander followed, taking the seat beside me. “My father wasn’t involved in my life. He avoided my sister Henrietta entirely.” My throat ached. “He loved my mother fiercely. I don’t think there was room in his heart for anyone else. When she died giving birth to Henrietta, my father was lost in his grief for so long. He resented Henrietta, blaming her for taking our mother’s life. He abandoned both of us by keeping himself distant.” I scowled at the floor. “I felt responsible for her. I was the only one left who loved her. Sweet, innocent Henrietta.” I blinked hard amid a smile. I missed her. “There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. When our father died five years ago, Henrietta and I were sent to live with our aunt and uncle. That arrangement only lasted until Henrietta’s first London season.”
Alexander’s gaze burned against my cheek. I dared a look at his face. “Where is Henrietta now?” he asked.
“Married. Happy.” I sniffed. “She deserves it.” My eyes burned with tears. I had never shared so much of my upbringing with anyone.
“You practically raised your sister?” His gentle voice disassembled my defenses, block by block.
“She taught me a great deal about patience.” I laughed, my throat tight. “It was a challenge looking after her all of the time, but I managed.” Keeping my emotions buried was how I had learned to live, but Alexander knew precisely what to say to unravel them.
“Was there anyone looking after you?” he asked.
“No. But I’ve always had others to look after. I never needed that.” I shook my head fast.
“Everyone needs that.”
The lump in my throat was difficult to manage. I swallowed hard, reaching under the hem of my skirt for the clue I had tucked in my shoe. This subject was far too uncomfortable. My hands shook as I unfolded the foolscap. “We met to discuss the clue. I nearly forgot.” My voice came out too quick.
Alexander stopped me, his fingers wrapping around mine. His grip was soft, just enough to steady my quaking hand. “Anne.”
I looked up, shocked my the raw concern in his gaze. He wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb, but it only made more of them slip down my face. “I promise I will look after you as long as you’ll allow me.” He looked down for a moment, seeming to gather his words. “No one should fend for themselves at a house party as unpredictable as this one.”
I laughed, a choked sound in my throat. “I’m sorry,” I said with a groan. “Something is amiss with my composure today.”
There wasn’t a hint of judgment in his eyes. “Don’t apologize. Feelings can be uncomfortable, especially if they’re not what you expected.”
My heart gave an unexpected thud.
I wiped at my nose, tearing my gaze away from his face.“We are going to run out of time.” I dried my cheeks with the back of my glove before holding up the foolscap.
Alexander took it from my hand. “Let us see if we can decipher this riddle. How clever can Lady Tottenham be?”
