A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

Mr Lockhart rose to his feet. “A decision made now would be a decision made in haste. Take a little time to contemplate my offer. Let me have your answer tomorrow.”

Claudia did not need time to think. There could be but one answer to such a shocking proposal and that was no.

“Very well,” she said, paying him the courtesy of agreeing to his request. “I shall call on you at the cottage tomorrow.”

He lingered. Stared. Not once did he divert his gaze. “Until tomorrow, Miss Darling,” he eventually said before turning on his heels and striding towards the door.

“Wait!” The command burst from her lips. The nagging question in her mind would have an answer it seemed. “What makes you think I am up to the task of aiding you in your quest for justice?”

The corners of his mouth twitched as he glanced back over his shoulder. “Honesty is a rare trait. You have it i

n abundance.”

Was that it?

She could not help but be a little disappointed. Could he not have said he liked her, that she possessed a refined grace, a radiant beauty that made her an ideal candidate? Could he not have said that her strength of heart and courage appealed to him, too?

“Will your family not wonder why you did not write to them and inform them of your marriage?”

“Why would they?” He shrugged. “My family think I’m dead.”

Chapter Three

The mantel clock struck ten. No sooner had the last chime rung through the drawing room than the clip of Mr Thorncroft’s boots echoed in the hall. The man was prompt. No doubt he had been up at dawn planning how his day of wickedness might end.

Claudia sat in the chair, her eyes fixed on the door, repeating her refusal over and over until confident she had the wherewithal to recite it aloud.

The door creaked open, and Dickinson appeared. “Mr Thorncroft to see you, ma’am.”

“Show him in, Dickinson.”

A hard lump formed in Claudia’s throat as she anticipated locking gazes with the arrogant braggart. The man had the beady eyes of a bird of prey—cold, sharp, eagerly calculating the moment to strike.

Mr Thorncroft marched into the room, the end of his walking cane hitting the floor as if it were a third foot. He did not smile when he bowed. His small mouth and thin lips formed the usual grim expression.

“Miss Darling, I’m thankful you could receive me.”

“I am not a lady who goes back on her word.” Besides, he had left her with no choice. “As this is not a social call, sir, perhaps you should sit so we may discuss our business.”

Mr Thorncroft stared down his long, pointed nose. Perhaps he wanted her to pander to his whims, to fall at his feet, grateful he had offered another means to repay the debt.

“Business is better discussed while taking refreshment.”

Refreshment? She wanted to make her point quickly not partake in idle chatter.

“Then Dickinson will bring tea, though I shall not be joining you.”

Whilst lying awake in bed during the early hours, trying to banish all thoughts of Mr Lockhart’s exciting proposal, Claudia decided it was time Mr Thorncroft heard the truth. She would not continue to feed his delusions of grandeur.

“Please sit, sir.” She gestured to the chair opposite.

After a moment’s pause, he thrust his cane at Dickinson, flicked out his coattails and dropped into the seat.

Claudia wasted no time. The sooner this man was out of her house, the better.

“Well, Mr Thorncroft, I trust you have taken the time to consider the offer you made at our last meeting. Marriage is a serious affair, a union not to be taken lightly.”

Unless a man wanted to prove himself innocent of murder.