Page 134 of A Much Maligned Miss

She hesitated. “What kind of steps do you imagine could work as a preventative?”

He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, considering. “Plunging ourselves into deepest mourning,” he admitted reluctantly. “Tying crepe to every door knocker, breaking out the black-edged stationery.” A tiresome rigmarole, he thought, distinctly tiresome, but he would do it. Yes, he would do it. There was precious little he would not do for this woman. He wasn’t even surprised at the realization.

“Perhaps we could discreetly disappear to the Continent until the furor dies down,” he suggested as an alternative. “I could take you to visit my mother in Italy. She has some jewelry she should now pass on to you by rights.”

“Oh.” She caught her breath. “Is that… Is that what you think we should do?”

He shrugged again. “As to that, I am entirely at your disposal,” he assured her.

“But you must have a preference.”

“As long as we weather the storm together, I am happy to be led by you.” Again, he spoke nothing but the truth. What a peculiar thing!

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “What if…I said I wanted us to continue living above the gin palace?” she asked, clearly testing him.

He suppressed the smile that threatened to curve his lips. “I want to buy us a house,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I have seen one that is being built in a new street with a prime location, handsomely appointed, with every luxury and convenience. I have put down a certain sum already,” he admitted. “Nothing that could not be reclaimed if you find it unsuitable, but I would like you to view it with me. We can have it furnished and decorated entirely to our own taste. I believe it would suit us admirably.”

When she said nothing, he took a breath. “If, in the interim, you would like us to remain at The Citadel, then so be it. I would be agreeable to such an arrangement,” he lied. He would put up with it. With time, she would have to see how wildly unsuitable it was. If not… Well, it would not be the worst outcome in the world, he realized with some surprise.

Perhaps they could build another floor on top of the bloody place? It was not as though it would ruin the harmony of the structure. It was an ostentatious monstrosity. “We could also retain those rooms for our exclusive use when we are out and about in that part of the city, if that is what you want,” he added in a conciliatory tone, dropping his head to brush a kiss to her temple. He could not resist. They were lying on a bed together after all, and though a superior sort, he was only human.

“When did you put down the money for this new house?” she asked curiously.

“Some two or three weeks ago.”

“But you did not know then that I was to be wealthy,” she said with a pucker between her brows.

“No, I did not,” he agreed. “I had to free up some money I had invested elsewhere. It was not too difficult.”

“You could afford to buy a whole house in a prime London location?” she asked in a strange voice.

“I could,” he said simply. “I have several business ventures. The Citadel is just one of many. I also own part of a racehorse, a shipyard, and shares in several commercial concerns. As a silent partner, of course.”

“I have never really understood your financial situation,” she admitted.

“Well, in all fairness, I never took the trouble to explain it to you. Or my uncle. He likes to think I am wholly dependent on him. I must confess I like sending him the more trifling of my bills. He likes to feel useful and sometimes investments do not work out, so it is a good thing to have old George to rely on.”

She did not look as though she knew how to react to that. Did she think him a frippery fellow, undependable and bad with money? He should probably persuade her otherwise with all haste. “It is true, I claimed to be penniless at the outset of our acquaintance but that was not actually true. I just liked acting feckless and irresponsible in those days. Having people think me dependable was the last thing I wanted.”

“But not anymore?”

He shook his head. “No sooner did I meet you, Lady Atherton than I reformed my ways. Only recollect how promptly I adopted the twins. I started taking responsibility almost from the start,” he said with perfect truth. “In fact, some might say I have been practicing the role of husband ever since we left Penarth together.”

When she continued speechless, he added forthrightly, “If I am honest, I have long since considered you my wife and treated you accordingly. If I need to make further adjustment to my conduct to please you, you need only say the word.”

Affecting not to notice her shocked reaction, he plunged straight on. “Would it make you feel more at ease if I presented you with my account books?” he asked with perfect calmness. “If so, I can easily make an appointment with my accountant where he could explain them to you…”

“Oh no!” she assured him hurriedly. “That is not necessary, Gervaise.”

“Perhaps not but I think it would be a good idea.”

“Well, perhaps you are right,” she conceded, after a heavy pause. “You will certainly have to meet with mine. I’m afraid I did not really take it all in this morning. The truth is, we already own a house in London. And one in Bristol too, apparently.”

Gervaise’s eyebrows rose. “Do we indeed?”

“And then there’s Benham Hall, of course,” she added awkwardly, looking evasive.

“Ah yes, Benham Hall,” he mused. “We could always sell it, if you did not wish to return to that neighborhood?”