Page 65 of The Wise Daughter
She whirled around, her brows scrunched and her expression hardened. “Aaron, why did you not tell me about these matters with Lord Bilford?”
“It’s nothing but rubbish. I promise, I haven’t made a single wager since…” He reached for her, hoping that, perhaps with a little effort, he could explain and return them to their previous moment, but she shook her head.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
The hurt in her voice and expression was far worse that any guilt he might have felt. All he knew was that he needed to fix this.
“I’m sorry, Nora. Bilford isn’t known for being scrupulous. And his daughter is just one of many women who had hopes of catching me. I haven’t even seen or spoken with her for years. I do not in any way consider myself engaged to her.”
He waited, knowing more explanation would have to follow.
“But Aaron. Don’t you see?” Nora massaged her brow. “Lord Bilford could very well be the one responsible for the thieving.”
Chapter 23
Aaron cursed Bilford all the way back to the castle. With the baskets half-eaten, and the kitten receiving more of Nora’s attention than he did, Aaron felt his hopes sinking. What was the point of such an astounding kiss if he was going to end the day so miserably?
That kiss…
The sudden most unexpected sensation of her lips against his and her fingers curling around the hair at his neck would forever be one of his most memorable moments. Even after their tense conversation the previous night, even after upsetting her this morning, she had reached for him. Even now, as he let the new memory live in his thoughts, he could taste her lips like dew on summer fruit.
His pair of greys, jumpier than they were earlier, must have sensed his addled state beneath the reins. He gave them a good shake.
Curse Bilford for ruining our moment!
Everything should have been perfect after that kiss, but instead of sitting a little more snugly together in the curricle, Nora was edging to the other side, wasting kisses on a cat.
I’m going to regret that purchase,he thought as he eyed the little scamp.
Aaron watched Nora scratch behind the kitten’s ear. Her silence unsettled him. He should have thought of Bilford. The man certainlyhad motivation enough, but would a lord, his neighbor and his father’s old friend, really stoop to stealing from Aaron? It didn’t make sense, especially if Bilford wanted Aaron to marry his daughter. As for his other claims, Aaron didn’t think it could be true that his father had needed money from Bilford. His father, as far as he knew, had carefully managed their estate. In seasons of plenty, he was always preparing for difficult times. No, none of it made sense, but he did owe Nora an explanation.
“Nora, I’m sorry for the awkward way you learned about these troubles today.” He waited for her to speak or cry or give him a jab with her elbow. Anything. “Please say something, Nora.”
She looked up at him for only a moment, then stared at the kitten in her lap. “I don’t know what to say, Aaron. Clearly, there is much I don’t know about Lord Bilford or his daughter. Or you.”
Aaron ran a hand down his face and took a deep breath. It was finally time to face a conversation he had been dreading. Without any preamble, he began to explain.
“When I was nineteen, I travelled around with men I thought were my friends and found myself in a terrible position. Much like your father, I succumbed to wager after wager. I lost a painful amount of money and found myself at the mercy of several moneylenders who threatened me with all sorts of crude consequences. I was terrified. I wrote to my father and begged him to rescue me. He was appalled, but he did provide me enough to pay the amount I owed. He still held me accountable though. He lowered the allowance he sent me each month to make up for the debts, and I had to economize.”
“I see.” Her voice was small as she stroked the kitten.
“I felt the shame of my choices deeply. I knew I had caused my father pain and embarrassment. I never wanted to be in that sort of mess again. I haven’t placed a single wager since. It was a lesson I will never forget.” There it was, his horrible confession laid out between them for her to sift through and reckon with whatever opinions shealready had of him. He could only hope she would understand and believe him.
“And what of the money Lord Bilford claims you owe him? If your father was having financial trouble, that might explain what I heard in the village today. People have been suffering, Aaron. Your father apparently raised the cost of living, which is yet another possible reason you have been targeted by thieves.”
Aaron had to think through all she had said. He had expected her to ask more about his past and current habits.
“I’ll have to speak with Carver about the accountings. If anything looks amiss, I’ll take care of it. I hadn’t heard until today that Bilford might have lent my father money. As far as I knew, it was all a dubious wager.”
“Does that not seem suspicious to you?”
“What do you mean? He said my father asked him not to disclose the details. If what he says is true, my father probably felt embarrassment over having to ask for money. Nora, is there anything else you would like to know about my past? Does it bother you?”
She regarded him, and for a moment, he didn’t think she was going to ask anything. Finally, she spoke. “The only thing that bothers me is that you did not tell me sooner. It really is in the past?”
He could have answered quickly, but he wanted to give her question the thought it deserved. “I’m completely through with gambling. That part of my life remains in the past, but I keep the lessons I’ve learned close.”
She placed the kitten back in the basket on the floor of the curricle. “I suppose that helps me understand why you are so patient with my father. You truly felt sorry for him, didn’t you?”
