Page 109 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Well, let us get this thing done, and then we can ensure that awful man does not get a penny of Grandpapa’s fortune.” Minerva flicked open her letter and scanned the contents.

Her complexion paled instantly, and she shook her head slightly, her eyes wide.

“What is it, Min?” Seth demanded.

“I…” She waved the letter at Seth. “Perhaps you should open yours.”

Seth rolled his eyes. “You do not need to be scared of everything, Min. How bad can it be?”

Theo watched his brother scan the letter, and his skin turned ashen too. What the hell was in these letters?

“Bloody hell,” Seth murmured.

“Seth!” their mother scolded.

“Theo?” Angel nodded to the unopened letter in his hand.

Drawing in a breath, he took out a penknife and pressed it under the seal. He scanned the letter quickly, and his stomach sank. Damn.

“Will no one tell me what theirs say?” Angel asked.

Mother tapped Angel’s hand. “Perhaps you should open yours, dear.”

Angel’s hands shook a little as she opened it. Theo had never seen his vibrant sister look so gray.

“No.” The word escaped Angel.

“Well, what is your task?” pressed Minerva. “Is it truly awful?”

Angel’s throat worked. “I…I have to get a job.”

Seth laughed. “A job?”

Angel scowled at him. “Yes.” She waved the letter. “I have to go be a lady’s companion.” Her scowl deepened when another laugh escaped Seth. “It’s not funny.” She jerked her head toward Seth’s letter. “What does yours say anyway?”

“I, dear Sister, have no sympathy for you at all I am afraid, because I…” He sucked in a breath. “I must be engaged to be married within two months.”

Theo resisted the urge to press fingers to either side of his head where a headache was starting up. Seth was in no position to marry, and the last thing Theo wanted for his brother was tobe forced into a marriage with someone he did not love. He knew all too well what it was like to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

“I am sorry, Seth.” Minerva leaned over and squeezed his hand. “I cannot believe Grandpapa would press such a thing on you.”

“Nor I,” he breathed.

She pressed a finger to her lips. “Perhaps…perhaps there might be a way out of it. I mean…forced into marriage. It can hardly be ethical, can it?” She glanced to Mr. Barton, who lifted his shoulders.

“I may only do what I am instructed by my client. I cannot help in any other legal matters.”

“I know of an excellent private library,” Minerva told Seth. “It is said to have the biggest collection of legal documents in the country. You should apply to visit.”

Seth shook his head. “Less worrying about me, Min, and more worrying about yourself. What do you have to do?”

She gave a little shiver. “I must…” She had to swallow a knot that bunched in her throat. “I must travel to Scotland to collect something that belonged to Grandpapa,” she announced.

“Oh boy,” murmured Angel.

A heavy silence hung about the room. Minerva could hardly travel across London let alone go to Scotland. Her kidnapping as a child had left her terrified of travel and new experiences. He did not much blame her. She had only been eight and witnessed the killing of the driver as well as been held for three days. Seth and Angel had been too young to really understand what had occurred, but Theo still remembered going out with his father to search for her—all fearing it was too late and she was dead.

Angel reached for Minerva and squeezed her hand. “You have been talking about trying to be braver, Min. Perhaps this is your chance.”

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