Page 62 of The Earl She Once Saved

“Legally, you may have little power to stop him.”

Rafe turned. “I do not mean to stop him legally.”

Ezra’s brows lifted.

“I am going to Ripon.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“To do what?”

“Meet him before he reaches Edgeworth.”

“And persuade him to remain away?”

“If possible.”

“And if it is not possible?”

Rafe did not answer. Ezra watched him for a moment, then looked toward his unfinished letter.

Rafe hated what he was about to ask. “Delay London.”

Ezra’s gaze returned to him.

“Only a little,” Rafe said. “Write to your colonel. Tell him you are needed here.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” The answer came without pride.

Rafe picked up Roland’s letter.

“Crote has already begun circling the estate. Roland may have been dealing with him. If I ride to Ripon, I need someone here whom I trust. If Roland comes despite me, I need someone at my back while he is under this roof.”

Ezra leaned into his chair nonchalantly. “If you are asking for a favor, old boy, you are asking very poorly.”

“I have never had much practice.”

“No,” he grinned playfully. “You generally order men about and hope gratitude follows.”

Rafe waited.

Ezra glanced again at the letter to London. “A week or two will make little difference.”

Relief came more strongly than Rafe cared to show. “Thank you.”

“Besides,” Ezra added, too casually, “there are matters here I have not entirely settled.”

Rafe thought of Win, but he kept his face expressionless.

“Naturally.”

Ezra narrowed his eyes. “Say nothing.”

“I said nothing.”