Page 87 of One Night with an Earl

Lieutenant Smithfield looked aghast. “As a Chelsea Pensioner? No, I do not wish to spend the rest of my life in a hospital.”

At his hard tone, Ana nodded. “Apologies. I did not intend to offend.”

“None taken. I never liked army life. My injury has only reaffirmed that belief. I’m resigning my commission and have already taken the appropriate steps.”

“What will you do?” Ana asked.

His eyebrows drew downward, and a torrent of pain flickered in his gaze before he lowered his eyes.

A knot rose in Ana’s throat. He was young, and even with a limp, he could live a long life. Penelope had said he enjoyed a sporting life, and although some of those activities would be challenging at first, they may not be impossible in the future.

But as for earning a living, Ana knew firsthand he would encounter difficulties. Many employers would be hesitant to offer an injured former soldier work. His eldest brother was the heir to the barony, and as far as Ana had heard, the barony was not a wealthy one. As a sixth son, Timothy would not get a reliable family allowance. By selling his commission, he would gain income, but was it sufficient to support himself, let alone a family for the future?

How would he survive?

When he met Ana’s gaze, he appeared back in control. “I plan on gaining employment as a personal secretary. My sergeant said he would put a word in for me with a nobleman who is a good acquaintance.”

“I will continue to visit here,” Penelope promised. “Miss Gardner will accompany me.”

Ana bit her tongue. She had no intention of facilitating future visits, but she would speak with the girl in private. Penelope was clearly infatuated and not concerned with anything other than being with her soldier. Ladies did not regularly visit a gentleman’s lodgings. Ana was intimately familiar with the harsh realities of London life and would not wish a scandal on anyone, let alone her soft-hearted charge.

Ana placed a gentle hand on Penelope’s shoulder. “I’ll give you a few minutes alone together before we must leave.”

Thankfully, Penelope did not argue to stay longer.

Ana left them to their goodbyes. The sunlight from a window was warm on her cheeks as she waited in the vestibule.

Not more than ten minutes later, Penelope rushed down the stairs, a desperate look in her eyes and tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh, Ana! Something horrible has happened.”

“What is it?” Ana asked.

Penelope’s voice was frantic. “Timothy told me to stop seeing him!”

“What? Why?”

“He claims there is no future for us. He says it’s for the best and that I deserve more than a cripple.”

“Oh, my sweet darling.” Ana helped her don her cloak and pull the hood over her head and led her outside to the waiting hackney. Once seated beside her, she opened her reticule and handed her a handkerchief.

Penelope blew her nose and looked at her. “It’s nonsense! I’ve sensed his inner struggle from the first time I visited but hoped it would pass. I know he may not be able to do everything he was able to accomplish in the past, but Timothy does not see his future as I do. His mind is sharp, and he will still be able to walk, and yet he sees himself as less of a man. He fears holding others back. Of being a burden. He is too stubborn and has too big of a heart, and his sense of duty is holding him back. I refuse to accept his reasoning. Please tell me what to do?”

Ana let out a long sigh. “My dearest, he may be right. Not about his injury, but his station.”

“You can’t believe that!”

The hackney started to move, and the iron wheels crunched on the cobbled street. “Penelope, I have been thinking this for a long while. I already told you of your mother’s suspicions. You are a lady and must marry a lord. Timothy is the sixth son of a baron, a man without title or wealth.”

Penelope pulled away on the bench. “You sound like my mother.”

“She means the best for you. As do I.”

Penelope’s blue eyes lit in outrage. “No! You care only for your position.”

Ana felt a stab of hurt. “That’s not true.”

“What about the Earl of Drake? I can see how you feel about him and how he feels about you. You want to marry him, don’t you?”