Robert dragged his fingers through his hair again. It grew too long on his neck and needed cutting. “But you are better bred and a darn sight more attractive than plain Mary Greyburn.” He eyed her carefully. “What about the Earl of Debnam? He danced with you at least once at the last two balls we attended. And twice at one, as I recall. The fellow never concerns himself with convention. Even so, that is out of character for him. He is rarely seen at balls, let alone dancing with the same woman more than once. So it shows he has a particular interest in you.”
A tingle of happiness at Lord Debnam’s desire for her quickly faded when she realized how impossible it was. “I wasn’t aware you emerged from the gaming room long enough to watch the dancing. It’s common knowledge the earl has no wish to marry.”
“You can’t be sure of that. He is obviously smitten.”
“He is a flirtatious rake. That means little.”
Laura rubbed the goosebumps on her arms, recalling how he’d made her aware of her own heartbeat when she’d gazed into the earl’s gray eyes as they’d danced. How wonderful it had felt to be in his arms. He’d made no bones about wanting her, assuring her he was happy to wait for her to change her mind and become his mistress. He’d drawn her to him with little effort on his part. It was extraordinary, the effect he’d had on her body with just one look, before she’d managed to gather herself together, smile sweetly, and tell him she would never agree. It had not deterred him, she’d realized immediately. Was that what she had become? A woman men might consider for their mistress but not their wife?
Laura watched her brother retrieve a letter from his coat pocket with a shaking hand. She grew intrigued when she sighted an earl’s crest. “What have you there?”
Robert looked flushed. “Laura, as it appears you don’t wish to marry any of the gentlemen you’ve met, Debnam might be the very answer. I’ve received a letter from him. He makes a proposal of a different sort.” He cleared his throat as he waved the letter about. “It’s like a miracle! He offers to pay all our debts. To make Longworth secure.” Robert gazed at her pleadingly. “We can both marry, given time, and the Longworth corridors would be filled with the sound of our children.”
“You paint a lovely picture, Robert.” Laura wondered what the earl might want, but it was sure to involve her. She arched her eyebrows. “What sort of proposal?”
Robert paled, his gaze swinging away from hers. “Debnam invites you to spend a month with him at his country estate. Just a month, Laura. He promises to be discreet. He will not reveal your time together to anyone. And he assures me no harm will come to you.” As she shook her head, alarmed, he hurried on. “He is a handsome man, is he not? It couldn’t be so very bad? I’ve heard many women say they would like to have him in their beds.”
Laura glared at him, and for a moment, was speechless. “They would not be ladies,” she said, finally finding her voice. “You don’t associate with them, do you, Robert?”
He flushed. “Yes, ladies, Laura. Not tavern wenches.”
“Tavern wenches have probably already bedded him.” Laura swallowed hot tears.
“All right! You won’t agree. I shall write to him and refuse. Then the only thing I can do is put a gun to my head.” He jumped up and banged out of the room.
Laura was on her feet in an instant. She followed him into the corridor, her anxious gasps choking on the smell of dust. She hurried into the library. “Robert, you wouldn’t do such a thing?”
Robert sat behind his desk. He snatched up a pile of bills and released them to scatter over the leather desktop. “If I were dead, you might have a better chance of finding a husband.”
Laura put her hands on her hips. “You are fooling yourself. I would be completely alone and out on the street. Or pleading sanctuary with Aunt Gertrude, who would make me her lady’s maid and tell me endlessly how right she’d been to warn us. Although what I could do to change anything, I don’t know. And, Robert, for heaven’s sake! I would miss you terribly.”
“Would you?” He looked doubtful, then shook his head. “You will be better off without me,” he said bitterly. He selected a letter and pushed it across the desk with a finger.
Laura, her heart pounding, picked it up. It was a threatening letter from their banker. They would foreclose on Longworth at the end of the month should no payment be received. She uttered a moan and sank down on a chair, staring disbelievingly at her distraught brother. “You have mortgaged Longworth?”
He seemed to shrink before her, all his bravado gone. “Of course. What did you expect?”
She could see no way out of it. She had considered returning to London to find a husband, if not to love, hopefully to like. Who would care for her? But with time now so short, it was a moot question. This letter made that clear. It was useless to remain angry at Robert’s inability to make the estate financially viable. They had been over that many times. And she feared he meant what he’d said. She had seen the pistol in his desk drawer. But becoming Debnam’s temporary mistress terrified her. She feared for the loss of her self-respect. Even her soul. She would become a fallen woman, like those she and Emma discussed at the ball.
“I hate to see you living an unfilled life here at Longworth. The earl might fall in love with you and want to marry you. When he realizes how special you are.”
“Nonsense.” She refused to fall for his attempts to legitimize it. Really, they might be discussing a house party for all the levity he brought to the topic.
Robert fell silent. His defeated expression worried her.
An unmarried sister was a burden. Why wasn’t it possible for women in her position to find ways to support themselves without relying on men? Might she be a governess? They lived such dreary lives caught between the family and the servants, never quite fitting in anywhere. And should she become one, it would not solve Robert’s financial problems. “All right,” she said, her voice a bare whisper. “Write to the earl and accept his offer. But he must supply you with a signed letter stating he’ll pay your creditors before we meet. And you must promise me you will do nothing foolish once I’m gone. You will not consider ending your life.”
Robert’s mouth sagged, his eyes registering his shame as they dropped to his hands clasped together on the desktop. “I promise, Lolly.”
He’d used her childhood name, and it tore her heart in two. Where was the brother who had always been there for her?
He nodded enthusiastically. “I promise to change my ways. This is a second chance for me. I’ll involve myself in the estate. Make it pay again.”
“That is good news, Robert.” While she offered encouragement, she struggled to believe him. She would not put in plain words what he was about to do to her. To prostitute her for monetary gain. It would destroy him. As there was no other alternative open to them, let him fool himself into believing this was best for both of them. At least it would give Robert room to breathe and think clearly, and not be tempted to do anything reckless.
So Lord Debnam was about to get his wish. He had been so sure of himself. He was nothing but a spoiled rake used to crooking his finger and getting any woman he wanted. She doubted a woman had ever refused him before her. He might be surprised to find she would not be so easy. Would he keep his promise to protect her from gossip? She didn’t believe him. In her experience, men, apart from honorable gentlemen like her father, did not keep their promises.
*
