“You mentioned that yesterday,” she replied.
Regret flickered in the depths of Luke’s eyes. “I have to confess to not holding your father in very high regard.”
She gave a tiny shrug. That was far less shocking. “I understand.”
“I also need to tell you that I gambled with him on several occasions. I won more often than not.” He leaned forward then, his gaze earnest. “Please know that I had no idea I was taking money from you when I collected money from him.”
Ella understood and her chest stabbed with pain. Not because of what Luke had done. “My father made the decision to gamble a fortune away. If it hadn’t been you, it would have been someone else.” She too leaned toward him and placed her hand over Luke’s, which were clasped in front of him. “You won that money fair and square. You do not need to return it to me. But helping me to find a position to support myself is favor enough and one I will feel in your
debt for.”
“You can’t mean that,” Luke said quietly as he looked to Matthew.
“She does,” Matthew answered. “She’s only allowing me to support her because she’s working to help me find Camille.”
"Of which I have yet to do very much," she added. "I may be repaying you for the rest of my life."
Matthew grimaced. “Nonsense. If nothing else, you’ve given me hope I haven’t had in months.”
“Tomorrow,” Tabbie interjected, “I’d like to take you to one of our orphanages. As soon as you are ready, we’ll find a position for you. We always need more hands to care for the children. That is if you don’t decide to pursue marriage.”
“I would like that very much.” Ella gave the other woman a grateful nod. “Your kindness has been more than I could ever hope for.”
Luke rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Ella,” he began as though he wanted to continue discussing her dowry but she couldn’t allow it. They had a child. And she would not take money away from their family for her own gain.
Fortunately the carriage rolled to a stop and Matthew and Luke stepped out, offering their hands to the ladies. As she took Matthew’s, she stepped out and tucked her hand into his elbow. It was such a delightful place to be, next to him like this. For a brief moment, she wished she could stay there forever. She gave herself a shake. That was not a future that was meant to be hers.
Matthew contemplated Ella for a moment and wondered if Luke hadn’t been right yesterday. He’d gotten angry because he’d been afraid. Silly for a man his age but Sarah—hell, his father—had left deep scars. He couldn’t stand another for fear he’d break. But even a blind man could see that Ella was nothing like Sarah. She didn’t want charity and she wouldn’t make a match for her own convenience. She was kind and giving and she would understand his aches because she too had experienced them.
The ladies moved ahead to greet Tricia and he fell behind to speak with Luke. “I’d like to apologize for my behavior in the barn. I was rash and foolish.”
Luke winked. “You forgot bull-headed and jealous.” Then he gave a laugh and slapped Matthew on the back. “But do not fear. I am used to dealing with dukes.”
He winced. He had yet to tell Ella of his title. Not that it should matter but he had been intentionally keeping it from her. He hadn’t trusted her but now that he did, not telling her felt like a betrayal. “Do you still think I should marry her?”
Luke stopped walking. “Honestly, my friend, every moment that we are with her, I am more certain you should. Ella might be the most selfless person I’ve ever met and Tricia is my sister-in-law.”
Matthew had to shake his head. The man had a point. As he looked over at her, his heart constricted in his chest. He wanted to believe that but he wasn’t sure he was ready to make that commitment. “I’d consider asking for her hand just to avoid this dinner.” He didn’t relish watching other men try to catch her eye tonight.
“And risk the wrath of Tricia and Tabbie? You’ve gone mad.” Luke quirked an eyebrow as only he could. They’d moved from the steps into the entry and Ryker made his way over to join them. Ryker was a man who always had his wits about him.
He’d have to attempt to adopt his friend’s attitude tonight. “Blast, but I don’t want to do this.”
“They’ll be no competition for you.” Ryker gave him a calm, assured grin. “Besides, she already holds a great deal of affection for you. You can send them scattering any moment you choose.”
“You think so?” That made him relax considerably.
Ryker nodded. “Not only did you save her, her knight in shining armor, but you’re a handsome devil, though you’ll never hear me say it again.”
“Not more handsome than me,” Luke interjected. “But I can see why some of the ladies might take a fancy to him.”
They all chuckled and Matthew felt significantly better about the evening. Ella would never feel for one of them what she felt for him. But what did that mean for the future?
She glanced back at him, a shy smile playing about her lips. He stepped away from other two men to stand next to her. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?”
“You did not.” Her smile turned brilliant as she looked up to him.
He wanted to brush a lose tendril of hair back from her face, he wanted to kiss her.