“Spare me the noble gentleman. Do you even know what you want?” She gestured him to sit in one of two upholstered chairs near the hearth and sat in the other.
“I want to get back to my career before the opportunity is snatched away from me. That means London. I want a life of my own. I don’t belong here.”
She studied him until he shifted in his seat. “Don’t belong here, Robbie? You were born here. What of family?”
She hit a nerve. Three months ago, he would have been able to convince himself he didn’t care about family, but after Da’s accident, after time with Emma, and time with the sister sitting next to him, he could not. He dropped his gaze to his boots. “Perhaps I will visit more often.”
“But not if Lucy is nearby. You could keep Willowbrook and let her run it, but then you’d have to see her.” He didn’t deny it. “The answer to your dilemma is right in front of you, Rob. Marry Lucy. Keep Willowbrook.”
“And be trapped in Ashmead for the rest of my life? No thanks.”
“Try to use your brain. Plenty of men have both. Work in London but keep your country home. Hire a steward to run it. David is certain you can afford it.”
“You talked with your brother about me?” His outrage lifted him halfway out of his seat.
“Don’t divert the subject. Why not?”
He sank back down. “It would never work. She hates London.”
“You asked her?” He’d astonished her at last.
“She told me she’s a countrywoman and would have no use for the city.”
His sister’s eyes narrowed. “You asked her about London, but not marriage. Did you ask her about sharing itwith you? Did you offer her a compromise?”
He had no answer.
“Did you tell her that you love her?”
Do I? God help me.
He rose then and bowed over his sister’s hand. “It has been a delight as always, Your Grace.”
“My name is Maddy, as you damn well know, and you didn’t answer. Don’t be a coward, Robbie. Don’t run from her. Talk to the woman!”
Run. Is that what I’m doing? Again? “Maybe when this is over, Maddy. Maybe I will.”
*
Desire to rideto Willowbrook warred with the desire to pursue the miscreants that threatened it. Rob and David agreed to go after the countess and her minions, yet he told Maddy he would go to Willowbrook to check on Lucy. If she were a client, he would trust Goodfellow without question and go about his business. His uncharacteristic indecision rubbed up against a riot of other uncomfortable feelings unleashed by Maddy’s interfering words. He grabbed on to the one emotion he could handle. Anger.
Spangler must pay for what he did. The countess will pay if I have to throttle her myself.He found David dressed for travel in the corridor near the now quiet estate office, walked with him through the cellar, and spared the bolted storeroom door a glare. The man guarding it pulled his forelock with a grin in response. A great strapping brute, he would have no difficulty subduing Spangler should it prove necessary.
“Did the messenger come?” Rob demanded.
The earl nodded. “I’ve had horses brought round.” He handed Rob a folded piece of foolscap. “They went west instead of east to the Great North Road. They left the main road at Stoke-on-Trent and headed northwest.”
“Not London then?”
Clarion shook his head. “I thought she might go to my house in town and try to brazen it out, but she has to get Higgins out of the way.”
“Any idea where she might go?” The two men spoke as they walked out the cellar door and toward the stables.
“She has a cousin. He has a small estate near Blackshaw Moor.”
Their horses, saddled and ready, awaited.
“Will he take her in?” Rob asked.
