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‘For revenge, sis. He was one of those who forced me to go to India and I have not forgiven him. I was winning at first and thought I could ruin him as he ruined me...’
Her laughter was more hysterical than amused. ‘Teddy, when will you realise your gambling not only ruins your own life, but the lives of all those who love you? You will break Mama’s heart.’
‘I know.’ He was in tears. She had never seen him weep before; he was always so ebullient. It tore at her soft heart. She left her seat to go and put her arms about him.
‘Don’t cry, Teddy, please don’t cry. We’ll think of something. I don’t know what, but we will. But you are never to go anywhere near a gambling club again, not even a card table at a private party. Do you hear?’
‘I hear.’
‘And you are not to see or speak to Captain Moore ever again.’
‘He will want his money.’
‘Then he will have to wait for it. I think you should go home to Hadlea.’
‘But your Season...’
‘What of it, Teddy? You have ruined it already.’
‘Oh, Sophie...’ His tears were renewed.
‘If someone has to marry wealth,’ she said, ‘why not you?’
‘Because I have as good as proposed to Lucy.’
‘Good heavens! When did you propose?’
‘When we were walking in Ranelagh Gardens. It was such a lovely night and she was hanging on my arm and we were alone.’
‘And she accepted?’
‘Yes, straight away. She doesn’t know anything about this, Sophie. I couldn’t tell her. She was so happy and said she would speak to her parents. No doubt I shall get a grilling from her papa and what I shall say to him I have no idea.’
‘Oh, Teddy, what are we to do with you?’
‘Wash your hands of me.’
‘I can’t do that. You are my brother, you protected me when we were children, made sure I was safe, fought anyone who bothered me, and I love you.’
‘Oh, sis...’
‘You had better go up to your room and make yourself presentable before Aunt Emmeline comes down. She must know nothing of this.’
He scrambled to his feet and disappeared, leaving her lost in thought and very near to tears herself. Her brother had never really grown up. Although six years older than she was, he behaved like her junior, looking to her as he had to his other sisters to pull him out of the scrapes into which he sank. But how could she? Could she sacrifice herself as Jane had been prepared to do? Even if she did, she had to be sure any husband she chose was not only rich enough, but prepared to use those riches to pay Teddy’s debts. She began mentally ticking off the possibilities: Reggie, Richard, Lord Gorange, Vincent Malthouse... Mr Malthouse would not do. He would have no money until he inherited, but the others, all three well up in the stirrups, all three wanting to marry her. What she could not understand was why. She shuddered. So much for her dreams of a love match.
* * *
There was something wrong with Sophie, Adam decided, when he called later that day to tell everyone that he was leaving London. Her face was pale, her blue eyes puffy and red, her whole demeanour subdued. She had been quiet the previous evening, but nothing like this. She was behaving as if she had received a body blow. Who or what had done this to her?
‘Miss Cavenhurst, are you not well?’ he asked gently.
‘I am perfectly well, my lord. A little tired perhaps.’
Other people came and went and Lady Cartrose received them exactly as she always did. She was not unfeeling, so he could only surmise that whatever was wrong had been kept from her. Sophie had got herself into a scrape and it must be very serious to put the light out in those lovely eyes and make her move so listlessly. He felt an unaccustomed urge to take her into his arms and comfort her, and if there had been no one else in the room he might well have done so. He forgot why he had come in his determination to find out what it was and help her if he could. To do that he needed to speak to her alone.
The polite time for an afternoon call came to an end and everyone made to leave. He hung about to be the last. ‘Miss Cavenhurst,’ he whispered while Lady Cartrose was bidding farewell to Mrs Malthouse. ‘I must speak with you alone.’
She had been looking at the floor, but now lifted her head to look at him in surprise. ‘My lord, no.’
‘No? What do you mean, no?’
‘It is not proper.’
In spite of himself, he chuckled. ‘When have you been so concerned with what is proper? That is not the Sophie Cavenhurst I have come to know. I am not about to offer for you, if that is what you are thinking. You have made it abundantly clear you would not entertain the idea. Friends, you said. It is as a friend I wish to speak to you.’
