“Gerard is traveling just now,” Madeline responded to Haviland’s query. “And in his defense, he had no notion that Lord Ackerby would pursue me once I left Chelmsford for London. Neither of us did. I am not dependent on my brother to find genteel employment, however.”
“What sort of employment are you seeking?”
She answered readily enough. “I would prefer another post as a companion … although I acted more nurse to Lady Talwin this past year. She was frequently in pain, so much of my responsibility consisted of cajoling her to take her medicines and allow a breath of fresh air into her stuffy sickroom. I refused to let her sink into despair. We sparred far more than is usual for a lady and her servant. But our rows seemed to bolster her spirits, if not her failing health.”
Madeline smiled sadly at the memory of the dear, crotchety noblewoman. She missed the elderly Lady Talwin and doubted she would find another employer so well matched to her
own temperament and mind.
Haviland’s heavy brows had lowered as his expression grew thoughtful. “Are there other positions you would consider taking?”
She eyed him curiously, wondering at his persistence. “Perhaps a governess would suit. I am fairly adept with children. I raised my brother from the time I was thirteen, after Maman died, since my father was away for much of the year.” Her lips twisted with dry humor. “But I may not be acceptable to certain employers. I am known for speaking my mind. Lady Talwin appreciated my tart tongue, for it ‘kept her wits sharp,’ she was fond of saying. But not all employers are agreeable to having outspoken underlings in their households, particularly noble households.”
“And you have no marital expectations at present?”
She gazed at Haviland blankly now, startled by the bluntness of his question. “I beg your pardon?”
“You could marry and solve your financial problems.”
“That presumes that I have any reasonable prospects. But gentlemen are not in the habit of proposing to penniless spinsters.”
His brows drew together. “Are you penniless then? I should have thought your father would have provided for you.”
Madeline stirred uncomfortably on the sofa. “The direction of this conversation has grown rather personal, has it not, my lord?”
Haviland smiled a bit ruefully at her pointed remark. “Forgive me, Miss Ellis. These past dozen years I’ve spent less time in polite company than most peers. My social manners are not the best. In truth, I am only concerned for your welfare. But rest assured, you needn’t worry about Ackerby any further. I will see you safely to London as soon as I conclude my business here at The Drake.”
At his disarming apology, her resistance had begun to ease, but Madeline’s eyebrows shot up when he added his calm announcement about conveying her to London. “You will take me?”
“Yes. My carriage is in the stableyard.”
“I cannot travel to London with you, Lord Haviland. For all that you were close to my father, you are a perfect stranger to me.”
“No,” Haviland countered easily. “Even though we have never met until now, we are certainly not strangers. Come now.” His tone lightened, becoming more charming and persuasive than commanding. “You claimed me as your protector a few moments ago. You should allow me to fulfill the role for a while longer.”
Madeline flushed in remembrance of her own boldness. “You know I did not mean it. I only wished to dampen Baron Ackerby’s ardor.”
“Which you did admirably. But I am not in the same league as that lecher. You may trust me, Miss Ellis. There is nothing untoward in my offer. And there is no question about my helping you, either. Your father saved my life. I owe him a debt I can never repay.”
Madeline’s speechlessness returned as she realized Lord Haviland was truly serious about taking responsibility for her welfare.
When she remained uncustomarily silent, he continued as if musing aloud. “I would invite you to reside with me until you find employment. I have several homes … a town house in London, a family seat in Kent, a country villa near Chiswick, and other properties as well. But that obviously won’t do, since a single lady cannot properly live with a bachelor. However, there is a quiet hotel in London that is appropriate for gentlewomen,” Haviland added before Madeline could respond.
“I’m afraid I could not afford a hotel. I mean to take a room at an inexpensive lodging house.”
“I would be happy to fund your stay.”
Madeline shook her head firmly. “I will not accept your charity, Lord Haviland.”
“It isn’t charity in the least. Think of it as my belatedly fulfilling an obligation to a friend.”
“Lord Haviland,” she said with growing exasperation. “I have always fended for myself, and I mean to do so now.”
“Perhaps you have, but these are unusual circumstances.”
Straightening her spine, Madeline enunciated slowly, as if he might be hard of hearing. “I assure you, I can manage on my own.”
“I have no trouble believing that, but my conscience would give me no peace if I left you to your own devices.”