Page 68 of Surrender to the Earl
“And how are they working?”
After a faint pause, she said, “Better.”
“Hmm, why do I not believe you?”
“You could at least let me begin to write for you.”
“Lord Knightsbridge has volunteered.”
“Now that’s a fiancé,” Molly said with admiration.
He was far too wonderful to her, Audrey agreed silently. And too dependable.
“I’ll let his lordship take over for me another day or two,” Molly teased.
Audrey wasn’t sure how much longer she could let that happen.
At dinner that evening,Blythe pleaded a headache and retired to her room, leaving Audrey to entertain Robert. He had Francis leave the serving dishes, then close the doors behind him.
Audrey felt a little thrill at being alone with him. “That’s not very nice of you.”
“We have much to discuss,” he insisted. “We didn’t have a chance while I was writing your letters—not that there were many.”
“Just to my father and brother,” she insisted.
“And short ones at that, although I do understand.” He paused. “You had no female friends to write to?”
“None,” she said, keeping her voice brisk and impassive. “But that is about to change. I’ve already met Mrs. Warton and Mrs. Edgeworth. Louisa Roebuck is about my age, although it might be inappropriate to cultivate her friendship. But she is a widow, too.”
“Louisa Roebuck?” he asked blankly.
“Oh, I forgot to mention it while we were writing letters.” She lowered her voice. “Or to be more accurate, I chose not to mention her until I was certain we were alone. Mr. Sanford was trying to distract me from his widowed daughter and grandson. I believe they might all have worried I would punish them for seeing her.”
“Do you think that’s what all the fuss has been about?”
Audrey hesitated. “I don’t know. Today’s attempt at distraction made some sort of sense, but causing trouble for me? I don’t know what purpose it serves.”
“To drive you away?”
“By now they must know I won’t go.”
“Unless they escalate their attacks.”
“Attacks? This is not a battleground, Robert,” she said, shaking her head.
“They’re making it into one,” he said coldly.
Just hearing his tone of voice made her not want to get on his bad side. But the fact that he was so concerned on her behalf gave her a feeling of safety she’d never known before.
It was temporary, she reminded herself sternly. She had to discover her own safety.
“You’ll be happy to know your missing ledgers turned up.”
“Where?” she demanded.
“In your study, beneath a stack of books. I know they weren’t there before.”
“How frustrating! Did you have a chance to glance through the most recent one?”
