“And Jemina?”
Daniel glanced at Lady Shrewsbury. There was such love in the woman, but he’d been making his own decisions since Eaton. He wasn’t coming to hang on her skirts now.
Leaning closer, he patted her hand. “Rest assured, Aunt. I have done nothing that she hasn’t wanted. But I must break your rule. It’s only fair. You didn’t adhere to mine.”
“What rule is this that?”
“The one about your widows. I intend to take a mistress. I want it to be Jemina St. Maur.”
Lady Shrewsbury’s sherry eyes widened but then lowered into a casual glance. “No, Daniel, she’s delicate, unsettled in the world.”
He laced his fingers with hers and kissed her hand. “She’s unsettled my world, and it’s your fault for sending them to burglarize the Lincoln’s Inn. I have no choice but to distract her with kisses and anything else she will allow.”
“Daniel!”
“If the only way for her to forget about theMinervais to be my mistress and be involved in a secret all-consuming love affair, it’s a sacrifice I’ll make.”
Her smile dimmed. “What’s at risk, Daniel, other than your vanity? You haven’t told me all there is about theMinerva.”
He bit his lip, then decided to confide in her. “Hope, her safety, her growing up free, is my concern.”
Aunt grasped his arm, her nails digging into his white linen sleeve. “What are you talking about?”
“You sent the Widow’s Grace to the Lincoln’s Inn. They stumbled upon the one time in my life I bent rules for me. I forged documents, lied, everything to keep that baby safe, so I could raise her for Phoebe.”
Lady Shrewsbury mouth hung open. “You lied?”
“Proxy marriages are not legal in England. Phoebe and I were to leave Portsmouth and be married here at Finchely that night. Instead, I held a memorial and created the proof needed so that I would become Hope’s rightful guardian.”
Aunt clutched his hand. “You’ll find no condemnation from me, but how does this affect Jemina?”
“Searching for the records of theMinervawill not improve Mrs. St. Maur’s lot. It can only awaken the awful Dunns to Hope’s existence. They will demand my daughter be sent to their sugar plantation. I hate to think of her lot there, a girl slow in speech, one still learning to walk at age three.”
Aunt dipped her head. “You have done well for my niece. But this time, Daniel, we’re on opposite sides. Jemina St. Maur is a member of the Widow’s Grace. She’s owed the truth. She must find it.”
“If she’s distracted, she won’t care. Then she won’t be climbing buildings or getting hurt. You must admit this a winning set of arguments. Aren’t you always saying the great good outweighs the means?”
Her head shook as if it would wobble to floor and be a ball for Max.
“Aunt, it’s out of my hands. She said she chose me. What am I to do but oblige her choosing.”
He grinned, but Lady Shrewsbury didn’t share his humor. It didn’t matter, theMinervabusiness would stay a secret, he’d ensure it. A woman with passion consuming her heart wouldn’t keep digging for ghosts of yesterday.
For the first time in a long time, Daniel knew what he wanted and that was Jemina St. Maur.
CHAPTER 19
JEMINA—A DINNER WITHSASS
Lady Shrewsbury’s in-Town estate was exquisite, and so different from the remote locations she typically occupied. My eyes soaked in the grandeur of the large dining room.
Crystalline sconces were everywhere, each sparkling with candlelight. Gilded molding banded the top, middle, and bottom portions of the walls and glittered when one walked by. More golden trim befell the arched entryways.
The paint wasn’t white or blue. It was something in between, and it felt as if wishes were reflected in the creamy hue.
I had a wish.
I wished Lord Ashbrook would end my suffering and tell me his secrets. I wanted answers tonight. And I hoped he wouldn’t be too angry at my hurting myself on yesterday’s mission.
