I slipped out the door.
During our discussion, the rain had gone.
Dodging puddles, I dashed to the house as quickly as myskirt would allow me, feeling unsettled.
Because before I got toPinkwickHouse, Loren Copeland, Marquess of Remington was just a guy I had to play tobuy time to get my mom safe and get the hell out of there.
Now he was a guy I might just like.
And that complicated things.
Greatly.
Chapter Four
Highest Bidder
Loren
“You’re absolutely certain the woman you saw in thesanatorium was Lady Maxine Dawes?”Loren asked his father.
They were in Ansley’s study.Drinks to be shared with Dawesand Maxine were to be served in the parlor in fifteen minutes.Thus, they wereboth in evening attire.
And his father and he were further discussing the bombshellAnsley had landed on him that afternoon, just prior to his brief, wet adventurewith the Countess Derryman.
“She was the image of the woman who arrived this veryafternoon,” Ansley replied.
“And the doctors told you that the damage done when she wasa child was unrecoverable?”Loren pressed.
“Yes, son,” Ansley replied sharply, his deep voice pitchinglouder.
“Calm down,” Loren said low.
“It feels like you’re questioning my sanity.”
“I’m not, but I believe you are.”
Ansley blew out a breath, tore his hand through his hair andturned to stare out the window into the darkness.
“As we did not have time earlier today, now, can we speakfor a moment about the fact you didn’t tellmethat my affianced had adebilitating brain injury?”Loren requested.
Ansley turned back to his son.“If you’d known you’d beenreleased from the contract, what would you have done?”
“I’ve no idea.However, I think whatever that is should havebeen mine to decide.”
Ansley let it sit a moment.
And then he said, “You are all I have left, Loren.It is,indeed, about our line.Mostly, it’s about me wanting to precede at least onemember of my immediate family to death.”
Loren flinched.
His father did not let up.
“I am proud of your service to our kingdom, but I fearyou’ve become addicted to that chase.”
“What chase?”
“The one to danger.”
