“It doesn’t matter for you,” he corrected.
“Do not tell me what matters to me and what does not,” she said. He didn’t answer, and she sat a moment, lost in thought.
After several beats, she said, “I... I actually believe I can solve this.”
“You cannot.”
“I can. Ilivein a forest. It’s beautiful and fresh and peaceful. The village of Winscombe is not far by wagon. I walk the distance myself, twice a week. The River Brue, assuming it is not destroyed by Lusk’s limestone barges, runs cool and clear, through the center of the wood. Crofters make their homes along the bank. I live in the summerhouse formerly occupied by my grandmother, but there are outbuildings that you mightfind suitable for your father and sisters. A falconry. A caretaker’s cottage. A stable with a coachman’s flat above it.”
He stared at her.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
“I don’t believe that you may invite an old man and two young women to simply build a new life on the corner of an estate owned by an earl and inhabited by his highly disobedient daughter.”
“I am not disobedient. I’m so very compliant. I am here, in London, jumping through every hoop.”
“Except the last, most important one.”
“Yes, but when my plan is realized, the lack of a wedding will not be my fault. If Lusk jilts me, what can I do? I will be given little choice but to return to Castle Wood.”
“I can think of any number of impositions that a disappointed earl might level on a daughter who causes Lusk to marry someone else.”
“He will not know,” she said slowly, emphasizing each word. “And the summerhouse in Castle Wood belongs to me, don’t you see?” She scooted to the end of the seat. Her knees bumped his arm and she almost,almost, grabbed him by the sleeve. She wanted him to reach for her. His palm on her thigh. His fingers around her ankle. How could he sit so close and not touch her?
“My grandmother,” she went on, “left me the summerhouse and all the outbuildings. My parents live in Castlereagh mansion, but it is more than a mile away. They’ve no use for the ‘ruins in the forest’ as they call us. They’ve no use for theforest at all, except during hunting season. Otherwise, they leave me alone. When Lusk jilts me, I may do what I like. I may grow my apples.AndI may invite a new family to move onto the estate.”
She threw up her hands.“Let me help you.”
He said nothing, staring at her with his deep brown eyes.
She tried again. “Your family may take any building they would like. There may be work to repair it, but I will help them.”
“Lady Helena,” he began. He let out a weary breath. “You do not know me. You’ve not met my father. What if he is... he is terrible? What if my sisters are—”
“If they are, or if the forest does not suit them, then I will sell a piece of my grandmother’s jewelry and give you the money.”
“This is outrageous,” he said.
“This is a trade,” she said, circling back. Perhaps he would be more open if he saw the offer as a barter. “You help me in a few small ways—namely not reporting my scheme to Girdleston—and I shall provide for your family when I am restored to my home.”
“Why can you not simply marry this rich git chosen by your parents? Then I willearnmy money serving as your groom and provide for my family myself. Can you not do what is expected of you, Helena?”
“Oh, like you have done?” she asked.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“You’re meant to guard me, spy on me, run me down,” she said. “And yet you haven’t even tried.I’ve revealed myself to you. I’ve made you complicit in several outrageous ways. And yet I am still . . . unchecked.”
“I’m riding in your carriage to keep you from bolting out the door.”
“Are you?” She glanced at the door.
“Don’t you dare.”
She went on. “At least I know why you’ve been hired. You’ve just admitted it.”
“I admitted nothing.”
