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“It is Tuesday now. If you return on Thursday, I can have your advance ready for you.”

Claire and I left the office half an hour after arriving. She turned and looked at me, her eyes wide. “Everything is going to be fine now. I can’t believe that soon I’ll be able to do whatever I want.”

That statement shouldn’t have caused me to envision all manner of lascivious things, but apparently I was a weak man when it came to her. And devil take it, Claire had a strength of character that intrigued me.

Chapter 14

CLAIRE

I was afraid to believe everything would proceed smoothly, especially when I could no longer deny my stepmother wasn’t acting in my best interest. She hadn’t told me about the money my father had left me—money she’d been happy to accept for herself. And now that she believed a gentleman was showing interest in me romantically, she wanted to spirit me away from London.

I had no doubt that if she were successful, she’d make it impossible for me to return. But with Greyson’s help, I should be able to finally gain a measure of control over my own future. The knowledge that my father had made arrangements to ensure I’d have the financial means to secure that future buoyed my resolve.

While I was cautiously optimistic, I wasn’t foolish. My stepmother couldn’t learn of my plans until the last possible moment.

Time was running out. It was already Wednesday, and my family was leaving town on Friday morning. I needed to find a boarding house quickly. When I visited the school today, I planned to ask Mrs. Atkinson for recommendations on where a young woman could find lodging. It made sense that the headmistress of a charity school would know of such residences.

If she didn’t, I had no doubt one of the school’s governesses could help me. I’d never inquired about their personal living arrangements, but it was possible at least one of them lived in such an establishment. Only one of them resided at the school, along with the headmistress.

I’d just finished dressing and was preparing to leave for the school when a maid knocked on my bedroom door and told me I had a guest downstairs.

I’d reached the top of the stairs when I heard the butler’s voice in the hallway.

“I’m afraid Miss Sullivan isn’t home to callers today.”

I quickened my pace, trying to ignore the way my heart was racing at the thought that Greyson might have called. Instead, I spotted Caroline’s unmistakable fair hair over the butler’s shoulder.

“I’m still here,” I said, hurrying down the stairs.

Caroline smiled at me as our butler moved aside. “I’m happy to have caught you at home. I came early since I didn’t know if you were going to the school?” At my nod, she continued. “I can drive you since I have my carriage here. We can chat on the way.”

Of course my stepmother materialized in the hallway then. She must have informed the butler that I wasn’t home to callers since she didn’t want to risk me seeing Greyson again.

She frowned. “It is early for a morning call. Were we expecting you, my lady?”

Caroline shook her head. “No, I’m heading to Bond Street and wondered if Claire wanted to go dress shopping with me today. But since she is on her way out, I can take her to her destination.”

My stepmother hesitated, and I could tell she wanted to deny the request. After several uncomfortable seconds, she inclined her head.

I wasn’t surprised when she followed us outside. When Caroline’s driver opened the carriage door, she turned to my stepmother. “I can assure you that it is just the two of us today, but you are free to look inside the carriage if you wish to be certain.”

My mouth dropped open when my stepmother had the audacity to do just that. Her shoulders visibly relaxed when she saw that the carriage was, indeed, free from brooding-yet-devastatingly-handsome Legends.

“Very well,” she said, turning back to me. “Please be home for dinner, Claire.” And then she turned and strode back into the house.

When we climbed into the carriage, I waited for the door to close before apologizing for my stepmother’s rudeness.

Caroline waved a hand. “I have my share of difficult family members. But I’m insulted that she believes us to be amateurs. Greyson is waiting for you, but he’s smart enough not to be discovered lurking inside the carriage.”

My foolish heart lit at the news, and I tried to ignore it. Not everyone was meant to have a happily ever after.

I placed a hand on Caroline’s arm. “You do know that nothing romantic is happening between the two of us, correct? We are merely helping one another.”

She sighed. “Greyson has also assured me of that fact. But that doesn’t mean things couldn’t change the more time you spend together.”

I shook my head, determined not to give in to fantasies that would never come to pass. “I’m not young and beautiful. It’s easy to understand why Kendrick fell in love with you. But me…” I lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

She grabbed my hand. “Nonsense, you are very pretty. As for the other, you are only a few years older than me. You’re nowhere near the age when you’d have to worry that you couldn’t provide him with an heir.”