“Listen to me, Winthrop, you will not allow Finch near your daughter again, do you understand? Stall him when he visits; say she’s fallen ill. I don’t care how you do it, but youmust notallow that man to claim her. He is the foulest devil to walk this earth, and he will destroy Annabelle, married or not. I shall find a way to clear your debt, but if you so much as?—”
“Baron.” The simpering lord groveled. “I’ll do whatever you ask, I swear it, only why did Mr. Harris now?—?”
“Harris is doing his bloody best to outwit Finch, you fool, atmybehest. He’ll not harm your daughter, and we can only hope his actions this evening have thrown Finch off his game.”
Milton shuddered at just how far this situation had gotten out of hand.
“Pull yourself together, man. Go home and keep your daughter under lock and key. From now on, you letmedeal with Finch.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
When their carriage pulled up before Jasper’s posh diggings, Lady Milton’s words did not surprise Harris in the least.
“I shall see my sister home first, sir,” she insisted.
“Ma’am, I have every intention of?—”
“No.” Her lips set. “You have damaged my sister’s reputation and schemed behind my back with my husband this entire night.”
“Lady Milton.” Harris was too tired for this fight. “I urged your husband to inform you of your sister’s situation and, I might add, I counseled your sister to do the same.” He shot Annabelle a look. “But neither listened, forcing me to take matters into my own hands tonight.”
The lady took pause. “I’ll grant they are equally pigheaded.”
From the corner of his eye, Harris saw Miss Winthrop flinch.
“But you deliberately compromised Annabelle this evening and that alone?—”
“Lizzie, please,” Bella interrupted. “I should like to speak with Mr. Harris in private. I promise to call tomorrow and explain all, I swear, only give me this time with him, I beg.”
Well done, miss,Harris thought, for he doubted anyone else could have convinced Milton’s wife otherwise.
The lady did indeed capitulate. “Very well, Bella. But if I do not receive word from you by noon tomorrow, you can expect me on your doorstep.” She skewered them both with sharp glares before she disembarked from the carriage.
The driver drove on with the crack of his whip while Miss Winthrop wasted no time to launch her attack. “Arthur, why did you lie? Why tell everyone I’d accepted your proposal?”
“Why, t’ spare you more shame, miss. Turn ruination into celebration.”Obvious, weren’t it?
“No one was fooled, sir.” She seemed only more peeved. “In fact, that performance of yours made it all the less believable or honorable.” Her hands fidgeted in her lap like moths dusting cloth.
“Ah.” He cleared his throat. “Y’ didn’t like me kiss.”
“It was mostimproper.”
“The best kisses always are, miss.”
Her hands began to bunch and knead her skirts. “You have placed me in an untenable position, sir, one which?—”
“And I apologize for it, truly.” He donned, again, the guise of gentleman. “Annabelle, I’m afraid the only way forward now is for you to marry me, and fast. Because the jig is up. Finch is on to us. He’ll stop at nothing till he has you for himself.”
Miss Winthrop’s eyes widened, as if gears slowly turned in her head. A minute later, however, the lady had found her nerve again. “I am certain there is another way forward, Mr. Harris. Now that my sister and the Baron are aware of my situation, I’ve no doubt they will?—”
“Bella, luv, I’m takin’ yer t’ Gretna, and that’s th’ end of it.”
Her mouth fell open.
“I am sorry it’s come to this.” He dropped the Cockney to ease her shock. “It was never my intent. Had you not—” He stopped himself, for it mattered little what might have been. All that mattered nowwas keeping her from Finch. “Had things gone as I’d wished, we’d not now find ourselves in this predicament. But the only way to keep you safe from Finch is to marry you myself. Which is why I compromised you so thoroughly.”
“You are mad.” She shook her head. “Madto think I will marry you! I will find another way. I will?—”
