“I’m betrothed.”
Confusion marred Betsy’s pretty face.“It is your choice, isn’t it?You look like you're approaching the gallows.”
“He found out about Kit and the gaming hell.”Thea pressed her fingers to her temple.“And forbade me from continuing.I’m selfish and won’t make for a good duchess with such behavior.”
“Wait.A duchess?”Betsy raised an eyebrow.“You're betrothed to a duke?Is he going to cause problems for us here?”
“He doesn't know where we are.He doesn't know this place exists.”Though even as she said it, she knew that Wesley would never put a woman in danger.“And even if he did, Wesley wouldn't expose us.He's not that kind of man.”
“You're certain of that?”
“I'm certain.”Whatever else Wesley had done wrong, she knew his character.He would never expose these women and children just to punish her.
Betsy studied her for a long moment, then leaned back.“All right.So he found out about Kit and gave you an ultimatum.Why didn’t you tell him about the shelter if he’s as good of a man as you say he is?”
“Because he didn't give me the chance.And because—” Thea stopped, trying to find the words that she failed to speak to Wesley.“Because I didn't want to use it as a defense.The shelter isn't a justification for what I’ve done.I started going to the Fox because I wanted to.The money going to you was a reason to keep going, but it wasn't why I started.I’m not going to lie and pretend like it was.”
“Fair enough.”Betsy leaned back in her chair.“What does he think you are doing with your winnings?”
“I don't think he got that far.He was too busy being furious about the possible implications to his bloody title.”
“And you were too busy to listen to reason about how what you do is dangerous.Because it is.”
Thea's jaw tightened, but Betsy wasn't wrong.“He had no right—”
“I'm not saying he did.”Betsy's voice was even with the warm, direct tone that she always had.No one could shoot the truth straighter than Betsy.“I also warned you of the danger you put yourself in.You dismiss it as if it’s nothing.But any number of things could happen.It’s not just about your name in a scandal sheet.”
Thea knew it was true.She had never wanted to hear it.Still didn’t.“Just because something is dangerous doesn’t mean I should stop.What you do here is dangerous, but it’s necessary.”
Mary sniffled beside Betsy, wiping her eyes.
“I agree.He was wrong to give you an ultimatum and take such a heavy-handed approach,” Betsy narrowed her focus on Thea.“But if he’s worthy of your obvious love for him, then I think you can give him the benefit of a doubt and hope that he will do a better job listening after he’s calmed down.”
Commotion at the front door interrupted them—a voice, a man's voice.Betsy was on her feet before Thea could move.She watched Betsy step into the hall, her posture shifting to a defensive stance.A man at the door, uninvited, was never good news.
Thea heard the exchange.A voice she knew.Her stomach dropped.She'd just told Betsy he didn't know this place existed.
She stepped into the hallway and found Wesley standing in the front hall, hands raised, with Betsy blocking the doorway between him and the rest of the house.His coat was rumpled, his cravat undone, and still, he was far too handsome for his own good.
He'd followed her.That was the only explanation.
“Betsy.”She kept her voice steady.“It's all right.I know him.”
Betsy didn't move right away.She looked at Thea, then back at Wesley.She stepped to the side.But she didn't leave the hall.
Wesley's gaze found Thea.
Thea didn't flinch or speak to him.She turned to Betsy and pulled the pouch of coins from her coat pocket—this week's take from the Fox.
“Betsy, meet the Duke of Greystone.I must be going, as I should speak to my betrothed,” she said, pressing the pouch into Betsy's hand.“But you’ll be pleased with the winnings from this week.”
She stared at Wesley as she said that last part.His gaze followed the pouch into Betsy's hand, and Thea could see how hard he was thinking, putting together the pieces of what was going on.
He looked at Betsy.“How much do you need?”
Betsy's eyebrows rose.She glanced at Thea, then back at Wesley.“I beg your pardon, Your Grace?”
“To keep this place running.What do you need monthly?I want a figure.”
