Aidan could simply not imagine how he would ever recover from putting Lily at risk. If harm befell her, his guilt would consume him and there would be nothing in his dark future to console his soul. This was a matter of life and death.
With that realization, Aidan reached a decision. It was time to stop resisting this new relationship with his sister’s husband. They needed to band together for Lily. His sweet, young sister deserved their cooperation and protection. Rising to his feet, he interrupted the tête-à-tête between Filminster and Trafford.
“Whatever you need, I will do it.”
Filminster’s brandy eyes flickered to Aidan, and he nodded. “Thank you … Aidan.”
Trafford heaved a heavy sigh. “I am in. What is next?”
Returning to the window, Filminster leaned against the sill. “I need your help to investigate these six men. Lily and I are still considered scandalous for our supposed tryst on the night of the coronation. Although the scandal is abating now that we have wed, it is difficult to be discreet when all eyes are upon us. You two gentlemen, as single young bucksaround Town, will be welcomed into the homes of polite society with high hopes you might make a match with their daughters or nieces. That access will allow you to search for information that might shed light on their involvement.”
Aidan rubbed a hand over his face. In the normal course of things, he would never agree to such unethical behavior. Gaining access under false pretenses was not the behavior of a man of character.
But this is for Lily.
He accepted the truth of it. A man of character would take steps to correct his mistakes, regardless of what he might be required to do. It was a matter of restoring his honor, and if he needed to dirty his hands for the greater good, then so be it.
“Where is the list?”
Frederick Smythe wasthe most irritating of men, Gwen decided, resisting the urge to clench her fists.
“We cannot afford it, Papa! I am five and twenty! On the shelf! A spinster! Pray tell, what is the point of spending money on yet another ball when none of the young men wish to dance with me?”
Her father’s lips curled into his customary grin, the one that dissolved the resistance of family and friends. Gwen steeled herself not to be affected by his charm. “It is not the time to give up, Gwendolyn. It is only a matter of time before you meet a gentleman who appreciates your wit and grace.”
Gwen could not help herself—she snorted. “Grace?” Twisting her face, she sang the refrain from her youth. “Gwen, Gwen, the Spotted Giraffe!”
Her father’s grin faded. “I curse myself to this day for sending you to that school. Those harpies destroyed yourconfidence, but I see a great beauty when I gaze upon you, Gwendolyn. Your mother stole my very heart from my chest the moment I beheld her. And once she quoted Homer to me in Ancient Greek …” Her father raised a hand to his chest, his eyes gazing into the past with an expression of adoration and awe. He cleared his throat, returning to the present. “I shall never forget a moment of our time together.”
Gwen felt tears prickling. Lifting a hand, she dabbed at her eyes, giving a discreet sniff. “Mama was majestic.”
“As are you, daughter.”
She shook her head, rejecting the notion that she was the beauty that her mother had been. “I am a ginger!”
“A Titian red.”
“And spotted!”
“Delightfully freckled.”
“Mama was an elegant auburn, Papa. I am a gangly, spotted ginger!”
Her father shook his head in denial. “You are glorious and your mother would agree.”
Gwen fell silent, biting her lower lip. She wished her mother were here with them now to settle their argument. “Mama did not like to waste money.”
“You are not a waste of money. The right man will recognize your worth and value. We will join forces with another family and grow our resources for your future and for Gareth.”
Gwen smiled at the mention of her younger brother. Having him home for the summer had revealed how quickly he was growing up, and it had been a poignant moment to wave him goodbye when he had returned to Eton to continue his studies. “Gareth’s grasp of Latin and Greek is impressive. Mama would be delighted.”
“As you will be one day when you have children of your own.”
Longing rose in Gwen’s chest, which she squashed down ruthlessly. If the past few years had taught her anything, it was that no man would ever wed her. Nay, she was to be a spinster. Her only hope of progeny was to adopt a foundling to dote on. A child to whom she could pass on the love of learning as her mother had done with her and Gareth.
Since recent events had brought the knowledge of the tentative nature of life, and the need to pursue one’s dreams while one had the opportunity to do so, Gwen had evaluated what was important to her. She planned to seek a foundling to adopt once her father admitted defeat—his plans for her grand union were just dreams. Frederick Smythe was tilting at windmills if he thought an honorable gentleman would ever take notice of Gwen, Gwen, the Spotted Giraffe.
The few men who had displayed interest were not to be considered. It was not Mr. Spalding’s thinning hair or receding chin that ruled him out, but the many times he misattributed Socrates that had ensured she would never marry him. The thought of being irritated by his lack of intelligence for the rest of her days was too much to bear.
