Page 152 of The Lyon Whisperer
Certainly Chase had not, and he could admit to having nearly the same reaction as her father. Rescuing helpless animals was one thing. Venturing into London’s most dangerous neighborhoods to do so was quite another. They would need to discuss matters in future.
Amelia went on as if no one had spoken. “No more dashing around in widow’s weeds at midnight, nor visiting houses of ill-repute midday…”
“Dear God.” Fallsgate’s eyes looked ready to burst.
Again, Chase understood.
“And I’ve quit my book club. I shall devote my time to…” She broke off, looking uncertain for the first time. “To whatever ladies of my station devote their time to.”
“Enough,” Chase said in his most authoritative voice.
Amelia’s wide-eyed gaze shot toward him. “But…”
He held out one hand, staying her, and moved toward the open door in front of which she still stood.
She glanced over her shoulder at him.
He quirked a brow at her and very deliberately closed the door. “I understand servants talk.”
She lowered her eyes.
He closed the distance between them to stand at her back, gripping her shoulders.
“Hear me, Fallsgate. My wife does not need to change a single thing about herself to meet the stipulations of your damned bet. Do you know she won over Lady Frommer at that dinner she held? Evidently the lady came today and collected two of Amelia’s dogs.”
Amelia made a sound of distress.
He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Never fear. She has invited us for a weekend visit so that you may observe them in their new abode.”
She twisted to face him, alarm in her eyes. “A-and Roddy?”
“Please, madam. Do you think I would allow anyone to take your beloved mutt?”
She choked out a laugh that was half sob. “Mymutt?”
“We are straying from the point.” Using gentle pressure, he shifted Amelia, so she once again faced her father. “Also thanks to Amelia, my efforts to aid our wounded veterans has a strong chance of securing the support of the Earl of Claybourne and Lord Randall, the Viscount of Worley.”
“I see,” the earl said, looking anything but clear on where Chase was going.
“I’m mucking this up. I never met anyone like your daughter, Lord Fallsgate. Someone giving and kind—to her own detriment at times. Even now, knowing what we—I—withheld from her, she’s willing to sacrifice her very essence to save me and my irresponsible uncle even though I never…” He shook his head. “That’s not important now. The bottom line is I won’t allow it, and to that end—”
Amelia chirped and twisted around to face him again. Tears welled in her eyes. “You can’t afford to lose all that money, Chase. Think of your tenants.”
“You see?” he whispered, voice going hoarse. “Even now you choose to stand for strangers, because you deem it the right thing to do.”
“Itisthe right thing,” she insisted.
“I’ve made provisions, Amelia. Today I went to London to secure the funds to pay off Uncle Harry’s debt.” He raised his gaze to meet Fallsgate’s. “I succeeded. You’ll have your double or nothing winnings bright and early Monday morning.”
“Just one bloody damned minute,” the earl erupted. “I came here to say something and so far all I’ve done is listen to what you two had to say. I insist you stop talking long enough to hear me out. I promise you it will be worth your while.”
Amelia turned to face him. “I beg your pardon, sir. Pray, continue.”
The bluster seemed to go out of him and the big man’s shoulders slumped. “Can we sit? I need to tell you some things. They concern your mother.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Amelia stared ather father, stunned. He wanted to discuss her mother? The notion was so foreign as to render her speechless.
