Page 56

“I’m fine. Just a few small burns. This though . . .” His gaze swept the blazing building. “You must be devastated.”

A distraught, strangled laugh echoed amongst the trees, and it shocked her to realize it was she who was cackling like a madwoman.

“The agreement between my mother and Walter Andrews was wrapped in an oil cloth and hidden atop one of the rafters.”

“That’s what you came for?”

Chester slung his cravat over his shoulder before draping an arm across hers and drawing her into the protective crook of his chest, smelling of sweat and fire.

“It was.”

Two nights ago, she’d awoken in the early morning hours, a long-forgotten memory jarring her awake. Now she’d never know the truth of it.

He kissed her crown, his warm breath in her hair, comforting. “Is it really such a loss, since you’ve already decided on a new course?”

Something odd in the timbre of his voice gave her pause, and she angled her head to better examine his face. Did he worry she’d changed her mind about becoming Perygrim’s housekeeper? For certain, the position wasn’t her first choice, but when a person was reduced to nothing, they couldn’t be particular.

At least now she knew everyone would be fed and have a warm place to sleep.

If his grace became difficult, she’d have to reexamine the situation.

“I’m not sure, honestly. It’s been eight years since I briefly scanned the document. Most of the language was meaningless legal mumbo jumbo. But one clause in particular confused me. I can’t be sure, of course, but I believe it inferred that if ever Mama and I were put from Briar Knoll, a sum was to be settled upon us.”

Chester made a rough sound in his throat.

“Did your brother know of the clause?”

“I don’t know that either. I do know he, or someone he hired, ransacked the cottage more than once while we were attending church services before Mama became too ill. Nothing was ever stolen, but I always wondered if he was after the agreement. If only there was another copy.”

She shrugged and nestled a tiny bit closer. Why couldn’t she be brave enough to wrap her arms around his waist?

What happened to no more kisses?

He was her employer.

He couldn’t be anything more.

“It matters naught now,” she said. “If it had been true, I’d still have had to hire a solicitor. I could offer him part of the settlement in payment, I suppose. I always wanted to accompany Mama to Bath so she could take the waters. It’s been her lifelong dream to live near the ocean.”

It hadn’t escaped her either that while Simon had said he’d attend the duke’s house party, his newfound agreeableness didn’t extend to Eden or her mother. There’d been no offer of help, no inquiry as to what their plans were.

The rejection wasn’t new, yet it stung.

Chester turned her so that she was fully within his soothing embrace: chest-to-chest and thigh-to-thigh.

She could stand like this for hours.

He tightened his arms about her. “It’s impossible. I shan’t let you go.”

“I beg your pardon?” She angled away to look up at him.

He was silent for a long moment, then sighed. “You committed to becoming Perygrim’s housekeeper, and we’re having a house party soon. Are you going to break your word now?”

Was he serious?

For a foolish instant she’d thought he’d meant something more . . . romantic.

Her childhood home was engulfed in flames.