“You may leave, Mrs. Parker.” He tilted his head towards David, wishing he talked with his mother about what had happened.
“What is it? What are you doing here?” Cora stroked David’s hair.
David hesitated, glancing between his mother and Ethan. “Lord Roxbury took me with him in his carriage. He stopped in front of Lord Stark’s house and ordered me to break a window with a stone. I refused and escaped here.” He stammered throughout his short speech.
Cora pressed her lips in a white slash. “I see.” She inhaled a few times. “Lord Stark, thank you for taking care of David. You’ve been most kind.”
“It’s a pleasure to have David as my guest,” Ethan said.
“He’s going to be angry,” David whispered.
“He asked you to do something despicable. He has no right to be angry.” She cupped her son’s cheek. “We’ll go home together, and I’ll talk to him. You don’t have to see him.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Ethan asked.
Cora kissed David’s cheek. “Go to the hallway and wait for me, all right?”
David nodded. “Thank you, Lord Stark.” He waved before walking out of the sitting room.
“Ethan.” Cora gazed everywhere but him. “Is your offer of money still up?” She had the same lost expression as the other day in front of the brothel, and Ethan didn’t like it.
“Of course. How much do you need?”
She swallowed a few times. “A few hundred pounds. Two hundred.”
“I’ll give you more than that. When do you need the money?”
“Tonight or tomorrow at the very least.”
“Absolutely.” He took a step towards her. “I’ll have it ready for you. I can talk to your husband if you want.” Or punch him.
She avoided his gaze. “I appreciate your help, but I’m worried that your involvement might anger Lord Roxbury further.”
“But—”
“Please think about it. The moment he gets a hint of what I’m planning to do, he’ll call the police, and your presence will only make him suspicious. Let me deal with him. I’ll go home, pack a few things, and be here as soon as possible. He should be at his club anyway.” She flushed then paled. “You must know I might not be able to repay the loan.”
Seriously? “I don’t give a bloody damn,” he nearly growled, and he wasn’t going to apologise for his swearing. “I only care about you and David.”
She raised her large eyes to him. He wasn’t sure if it was gratitude or fear shining in them. “Thank you for your help. Really.” She closed her trembling hand around his, sending a jolt of emotion through him.
“You’re most welcome.”
She withdrew her hand quickly. “I must go.” She hurried out of the sitting room with nervous steps.
The sense of injustice gnawed at Ethan’s heart, but he had to respect Cora’s decision. Besides, what could he do aside from punch Roxbury until some sense penetrated his thick skull?
ten
THE HOUSE WAS eerily quiet when Cora entered the hallway. Aside from the lamps in the entry hallway, the lights were off, and no footman or maid had opened the front door. Even Cooper, her maid, wasn’t there to welcome her. She had used her own key. Odd.
“Where’s everyone?” David said.
“I don’t know.”
The servants never had their free day all together. Jacob must have dismissed them. No matter. Maybe it was better this way. Her escape wouldn’t have witnesses.
“I don’t like it, Mama.”
