Loretta’s heart filled anew with compassion for Farley. “I’m afraid it is. I wish there were more I could do for him.”
Paxton put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry you’ve had to cope with this alone.”
Loretta suddenly realized she wasn’t sorry her brother hadn’t been here when Farley arrived because the duke had been with her. He’d taken control and gone after Farley. The duke, a man who didn’t have to lift a finger to do anything he didn’t want to do, had no qualms about helping remove the dirty, soggy clothing. Those memories would always be with her.
“Don’t worry about any of it now,” Paxton continued in his cheerful tone. “I’ll take over from here and see what I can find out about him. Have you sent Mr. Huddleston to Grimsfield to ask if anyone knows him?”
“I asked the apothecary when he came, and he didn’t know of any missing children from the village.”
“Where is Farley now?”
“In Arnold’s room. Bitsy is with him, but there’s more you need to know.”
“I can tell by your expression that it’s not good news.”
“No, that’s not true,” she answered honestly. Loretta looked at the fire for a moment before turning her attention back to her brother and saying, “Most would not consider it bad news by any standard. The Duke of Hawksthorn came to see you a few days ago.”
Paxton blinked. “Hawksthorn? To see me? All the way out here? That’s rather odd. Are you sure?”
“Quite sure. How could I not be when he asked specifically for you?”
The smile returned to Paxton’s face. “I suppose that was an inane question. I just find it surprising. I have played a game or two of cards with him when an extra player was needed at his table, but I don’t think we’ve spoken more than a greeting or two with each other. Did he happen to say what he wanted?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did. He wants to arrange a betrothal between you and his sister.”
Paxton laughed in his usual jovial way and then took a sip of his drink. “You look serious, but I can’t believe you are.”
“I have never been more serious.”
“Truly? The duke wants me to marry his sister?” Paxton brushed his hair away from his forehead but it fell right back. “Are you sure?” he asked again.
Loretta let out an exasperated sigh. “Paxton, please. I’m quite sure about everything I’ve said. This is not the sort of thing one makes up.”
“It’s just I don’t know what to say.” His eyes brightened with good humor again. “I’m flabbergasted.”
So was I.
“I would like to think you’d say no,” Loretta offered cautiously. “And that would be the end of it.”
“Well, of course I will.” His exuberance returned. “Yes. I’m only twenty-four. Goodness me! I haven’t ever considered the idea of marriage to anyone.”
Loretta took an easy breath. “That was my thought as well. You’re much too young.”
“But did he happen to say why he was thinking of me for a match with his sister?”
“Somewhat. He said you don’t gamble more than is in your pockets or drink more than you can hold. You don’t gossip about others, and no one has anything unpleasant to say about you.”
“All that?” His shoulders lifted and his eyebrows rose with confidence. “Now, that’s the sort of description that can give one a high step in a hurry. But you and I both know I don’t wager or play cards often because I don’t have much blunt to lose. That’s the same reason I don’t drink too much. If I want my allowance to last from month to month I must be careful. And for that same reason, I couldn’t support a wife properly on what the earl provides me.” Paxton took another sip of his drink and looked at Loretta thoughtfully for a moment. “Yet I suppose if I were to marry a duke’s sister, there would be a generous dowry. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have to worry about such things.”
Loretta folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. “Paxton?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I mean I won’t do it, of course. I’ve said it. But I suppose I will have to think about it. Don’t you agree? Or, no. I’ll just wait and hear what the duke has to say to me. That will be the best thing to do, right? First thing tomorrow morning I’ll ride to London and see what the duke’s intentions are.”
“No,” Loretta said.
Paxton lifted his free hand in the air. “Of course! What was I thinking? Yes, dear sister, you’re right. Say no more. I was thinking selfishly. The duke can wait. I’ve left you alone for far too long as it is. And you’ve been taking care of this sickly boy, too. I’ll stay here and take care of this for you first. Going to see the duke at this time is out of the question.”
Loretta shook her head and smiled. Her brother hadalways amused her with his sidestepping and overtalking whatever issue was at hand. “That isn’t what I meant, Paxton. You don’t have to go anywhere to see the duke because he insisted on coming back here to talk to you.”
