“I went to the caravans and spoke with the Romani.” Smirking, Arabella tried to keep the mood light. “They offered me a handsome husband, though he was not eager to have a baroness for wife.”
There was more than concern in Payne’s question. “And you have been with this man f
or three nights?”
“No. I paid fifty pounds to Ion. In exchange, he is to go to London and act as spy. He will report on William Dalton’s doings.” Letting out a tired breath, Arabella confessed to where she’d been. “For the past two days I’ve been watching the roads. The caravans went north, Ion went south. I needed to see for myself before I might believe...”
Payne kneeled before her, lowering slowly. “You should have taken me with you, Arabella.”
“It is safe enough on Mr. Harrow’s land. No one would dare cross it out in the open as I do. I wasn’t seen.” She leaned closer, eyes wide as she pled for his understanding. “After all these years, maybe you were right, Payne.” Arabella held his hands tight. “There might be a way to survive.”
Payne broke in, offering the easy alternative to subterfuge in place of violence. “Dalton may be satisfied if your dower were to end. Marry the handsome gypsy. Return to your people.”
Arabella shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I could never.”
“Then marry an Englishman.” The man argued so earnestly, so lovingly, his lady smiled. “Have children, be happy.”
“You know that is impossible.” Arabella stood and began pacing. “I could not provide for you if I lost my widow’s dower from the Iliffe estate. Hugh could not go to school. And who would take Mary? Married, I would be completely in a man’s power again... Furthermore, once the public discovered where I came from, the things he did, it would ruin any family I tied myself to.”
“If a man loved you, he would fight for you.”
Struck, she looked at her friend and scowled deeply. “Do you really think one of them would ever love me if they knew how many noblemen had used me? If they heard even one depraved story? ...and we both know they’re all true.”
From the look on Payne’s face, the subtle stiffening of his brow, it was clear he was angry with her phrasing. “But they’re not true. I was there. Benjamin Iliffe was a monster.”
Nodding, Arabella went to her friend. “But you ended it. You pulled me out of the dark.”
“Listen, Arabella. If you will not allow me to kill him, standing up to Dalton may buy a few years, but nothing is guaranteed. You are admired now. With Mr. Griggs’s help, an advantageous marriage could be arranged to keep you safe. A strong family would protect your reputation out of their own interest. Edmund Jenkins...”
“Never!” Narrowing her eyes, Arabella barked, “How could you even suggest such a thing?”
“Not all men are monsters, Arabella.”
“No,” she agreed, pushing tangled hair off her face. “But a good one should not be cursed with me.”
“You are speaking nonsense.”
Gentle, despite her agitation, Arabella said, “You are blind to my faults because you love me.”
“And you love me.” He rarely smiled, but as he spoke, Payne’s satisfaction with her words was obvious.
Teasing, she admonished, “Should I marry you?”
“I will not have you.”
She laughed, trying to ignore her churning stomach. “The Romani can help us in a way Griggs cannot. Ion can go places, listen in on servants. He may uncover something of use to us.”
“Or this Ion may take the money and run. Just because he headed toward London does not mean he kept his word.”
“True...” Arabella agreed, and had worked to assure that might not be the outcome. “But I offered more gold. I can sell my gowns, the horses, the carriage, my hair.”
“Enough.” Payne silenced her. Offering her his candle, he ordered that she go to bed. “Take care should you choose to wander the house tonight. Mr. Harrow is sleeping upstairs.”
With a rush of anxiety her words jumbled. “Was he unwell? Hurt? Why is he here?”
She could hide nothing from him, but neither could she meet his eyes when Payne said, “He arrived again today to see you and refused to leave until you returned.”
“I see...”