“You won’t be. I’m sure you won’t lack for suitors, if you wish a new life.”
“I don’t know. What if…” She twisted her hands in her lap. “I didn’t choose your father, mine did, but I didn’t protest. The marquess seemed mysterious and handsome. Aloof, yes, but that was all.” She turned her hands over, palms up. “I’m obviously not a good judge of men.”
“You were sixteen. I’m sure you’ll do better now.” He grinned. “Besides, I know every rake in London. If one dares approach you, my dear step-mama, I’ll shoot him.”
“That’s very sweet of you.” She studied him. “You haven’t answered my question, though. I meant, what will you do for yourself, not for me.”
“That depends on the next score of days.” His smile evaporated. “The old bastard says I must marry by then, so he can approve my bride, or he will sign everything over to Madelina.”
“She’s only sixteen.”
“Lethbridge will be her guardian.”
Cecilia frowned. “That’s not good. I don’t trust that man. No one could work for your father for as long as he has and be honest.”
“I agree, so I must wed, and quickly.” For Madelina’s sake, Cecilia’s, his own, and his plans to help keep other women from ending up like his mother. For those, he needed the marquess’s money. He would find justice in using the old man’s hoard to aid the downtrodden of London.
“So you must wed.” She pursed her lips, thinking. “Surely there’s someone you’ve noticed? Someone who intrigues you?”
Darington’s daughter, as painted by his letters, flittered through William’s mind. “It wouldn’t matter. The old bastard had Lethbridge draw up a list.”
Cecilia nodded, compassion in her eyes. “Of course he did. Why leave the choice of your wife to you?” She sighed, then cast off her moment of gloom like tossing off a cloak. “Will I see you at breakfast? I finished the latest Walter Scott. We might exchange thoughts on it.”
He shook his head. “I can’t give the appearance of staying here all night. The marquess is suspicious I love my mistress. I’m sure to be followed and the hours I remain reported.”
“Shall we change out the servants and choose a new name again?”
“Likely, but that would necessitate another meeting with Lethbridge. Besides, I’m fond of Chastity. I enjoy the irony.”
“So long as you feel it’s safe.” Her smile brightened. “I was thinking Valentina for next time.”
He shook his head, amused. “You can’t pull off Italian, and there won’t be a next time. The old man will die soon.”
“We can only pray you’re right,” she said fervently.
William rose and bowed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to check the streets.”
“You will be careful, won’t you? You know I enjoy practicing my surgical skills, putting all my study to test, but last time you gave me a worry. That knife would have killed you if it hadn’t hit your rib.”
“But it did hit my rib, and that was nothing but a small scrape. A minor inconvenience. You stitched it up beautifully.”
“Yes, well, I get plenty of practice. Has it occurred to you that you may not be very good at what you’re doing, with how often you’re injured?”
William put his hands to his heart, affecting a hurt expression. “You wound me deeper than any blade.”
Her expression softened. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Yet you never tell me not to go.” He wouldn’t have listened, but he wouldn’t have blamed her.
“I don’t know why you do it, William, but I can tell you must.” Her smile returned. “Besides, I do know you’re quite good. I was only cossetting you. Someone must, and I am your stepmother.”
“And I appreciate it very much, step-mama dearest.”
“When you return, would you like me to yell and scream and rail against you marrying, so the servants can hear?”
“We can do it another time. It’s not worth waiting up for. Will you lock the doors?” It wouldn’t do for a servant to come by and find no one in a compromising position.
She nodded. “Happy hunting.”
