Page 280 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

Yes, they had indeedmet.

Of all the solicitors in England, why did it have to be—

Estelle narrowed her eyes at Mr. Marlowe’s suspiciously innocent face.

Her wealthy benefactor was many fine and terrible things, but innocent was not one of them. She would not be surprised to learn he’d plucked Aaron from the barrel just to see how she would react.

Idle men who built a story book villagewouldhave a flair for drama.

“How do you do?” she said blandly, in part to spite Mr. Marlowe... and in part to keep Aaron from guessing the truth.

It wouldn’t do for him to think she’d beenpining.

They’dagreedto go their separate ways.

It was a mutual decision. She hadn’t looked back.

She wouldn’t be looking now, except that he was standing in front of her and—dear God—nowshe could see his beautiful eyes. They had somehow become even more limpid and magnetic since last he’d pinned her beneath his dark, sensual gaze.

“How do you do?” he replied softly, each low word a soft caress.

Damn him.

How do you dowas not meant to be seductive.

“Very busy,” she replied pertly.

She realized her mistake the moment Mr. Marlowe flashed a wolfish smile. She’d just given him the opportunity to better introduce his latest acquisition.

He gestured expansively. “Miss Blair is a theatre director.”

“Theatre director?” Aaron repeated.

His eyes were not filled with shock, but rather pleasure. He wasproudof her, the scoundrel. Delighted by her success.

Such as it was.

She dipped a minuscule curtsey. It would be better to confess the truth now than to have him find out later and think she’d kept the details from him in order to appear more genteel than she was.

“I direct plays at the amphitheatre,” she explained. “We’ve spent months practicing. The actors and actresses are local residents or come from nearby towns, but it’s coming together quite nicely.”

“Nearby towns? I thought Houville was the closest, and it’s at least an hour’s ride from—” Aaron broke off and stared at her. “Youlivehere?”

Nowhe was shocked.

Before she could answer, he swung his gaze to Mr. Marlowe.

“Sheliveshere?” Aaron repeated. “I’m your solicitor. I’ve drawn every contract you’ve signed with every resident of this village—”

Estelle inspected her fingernails. “Almostevery, apparently.”

Which meant Mr. Marlowe had definitely done it on purpose.

How he’d known, Estelle had no idea.

She doubted there was much the wily old blackguard was unaware of.

“I…” Aaron’s dark gaze was hot on hers. “You look...”

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