A Gentleman's Curse (Avenging Lords 4)

“Long enough to hear of the debt that brings the man to our door most weeks,” Emily added. She reached out, found the arm of the sofa and edged around before taking a seat. “Why did you not tell me he is trying to force you to marry?”

There was no right way of answering. It had been wrong to keep secrets. Despite wanting to protect Emily from the truth, Claudia had done her sister a disservice.

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

Emily’s life was hard without wicked men like Mr Thorncroft causing mischief.

“Just because I cannot see does not mean I am too weak to share in your troubles.”

Guilt wrapped around Claudia’s heart like a strangling vine. She had sworn an oath to their father, a promise to take care of Emily. “I do not think you weak at all. You’re the strongest, most courageous woman I know.”

Emily smiled but the expression soon faded. “Surely you don’t believe Father incurred such a huge debt? He was always so frugal. Ever since Mother made him buy this house, he had to be mindful of his expenditure.”

Claudia didn’t know what to believe. “Mr Thorncroft has the papers to prove his claim. The magistrate agrees that the signature belongs to Father, and I am of the same view.” She had studied it in some detail through the lens of her magnifying glass.

Emily gripped the arm of the sofa. “Then all is lost. Despite what Mother wanted, we must sell the house and get rid of Mr Thorncroft for good.”

Upon first glance of the quaint manor house during one of their weekend excursions, her mother had insisted her father purchase the property. Anna Darling often acted on impulse. She believed the house held the key to her family’s destiny, said she felt the truth of it deep in her bones. And so they had moved from Berkshire to Hertfordshire and leased the entailed property. Twelve months later, her mother perished from a fever.

“You know Mother and her whims,” Claudia said.

“I’m not sure they were whims. Monsieur Dariell said that the truth of all things lies in the heart, not the head. She loved it here. We love it here. But needs must.”

Claudia fell silent.

She was so lost in the myriad of thoughts filling her head she could no longer hear the whispers of her heart.

“There is another option,” Claudia said, knowing Emily would catch the hint of trepidation in her voice.

Emily jumped to her feet but kept her balance. “You are not marrying Mr Thorncroft. I would rather beg on the streets than know you must suffer his company daily.”

It was not his daily company but his nightly company that made the thought unbearable.

“Marrying Mr Thorncroft is not an option I am willing to consider. But Mr Lockhart came to visit last night and made me a rather lucrative offer.”

Open-mouthed, Emily flopped down into the seat. “Mr Lockhart wants to marry you. Why did you not say so before? I am not surprised. There is something in his voice that is different when he speaks to you.”

The bubbling excitement returned to plague Claudia’s stomach. Oh, it was ridiculous. “He has not offered marriage but is willing to pay for my assistance.”

Claudia told Emily the details of her conversation with the enigmatic Mr Lockhart.

“A thousand pounds?” Emily exhaled. “If we sold Mother’s jewellery and a few paintings, we would have enough to pay Mr Thorncroft.”

“Precisely.” That had to be the priority now.

After a brief silence, Emily said, “But we know nothing about Mr Lockhart. You would be risking everything if you helped in this deception.”

True.

But when given limited options, did one choose the fallen angel or the evil devil?

“He has friends in high places—a lord, a viscount. And Monsieur Dariell is a man above reproach.”

A smile brightened Emily’s face. “Yes, he is.”

“Besides, I’ve never been to London, to a ball or the theatre. With so many engagements the week will pass quickly. You could come, too.”

“Me? Oh, no! I couldn’t.” Emily remained rigid in the seat. “I am just learning to navigate my way around here on my own. It has taken months to pluck up the courage.”