Page 31
So, he had spoke the truth about their quasi friendship, too.
He gave a terse nod. “I knew he was a spendthrift and wouldn’t make the payments. And I also knew he didn’t give a tinker’s damn if he left you without a home.”
Tears burned behind her eyelids.
She’d been so awful to Shelby, and he proved himself a more decent human than her own flesh and blood.
He sat beside her and took her hand in his.
“I shall have to use the house and contents as collateral, Roxina. Not only haven’t I the cash to repay the loan at present, but I don’t have time to sell the house either. The type of people Mitchel borrowed from won’t wait until I can raise the funds. Until I can locate your brother and bring charges against him, I have no choice. Even then, it’s not likely I’ll recover any of the money.”
“Use the house as collateral?” She could barely force the words past her stiff lips. “What will become of me? Where will I go? I have no living relatives.”
“I shall think of something.” For the first time that evening, he directed a genuine smile toward her. “Trust me, Roxina.”
Trust him?
A man she’d loathed for years?
He passed her a crisp, neatly folded, and starched handkerchief. “Here.”
So lost in misery and fear, Roxina hadn’t been aware tears trailed down her cheeks. She accepted the cloth—it smelled of sandalwood and cloves and him—and patted her face.
“I suggest you use discretion who you share this information with.” Kindness glinted in his eyes, warming them to a dove-gray shade. “We wouldn’t want to put a pall on the festivities.”
“Of course.” Roxina doubted she’d be able to enjoy the next two weeks. Especially knowing she’d shortly have nowhere to live. But she wouldn’t ruin the occasion for the others.
She stood on wobbly legs, Shelby’s handkerchief wadded in her fist.
“I’ll return your handkerchief after it’s laundered.” She’d wash it herself as she couldn’t afford the vails the other guests paid the servants. Her friends passed the expected coins to the domestics on her behalf.
She wore humiliation and chagrin like a second skin these days.
“It’s of no import.” He also stood, concern pleating the corners of his eyes.
She drew in a ragged breath.
“Thank you. I…” A fresh wave of tears threatened to engulf her, but Roxina swallowed them down. Shelby Tellinger would not see her weep again. “Please excuse me. I have a headache and need to lie down.”
“I am sorry, Roxina. Truly I am.”
Grief clogged her throat, and she could only nod as she fled the library and tore to the bedchamber, praying she didn’t encounter anyone along the way.
All this time, she’d loathed the man who had ensured she had a place to live.
