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He sighed. “My intention all along was to purchase it.”
“You’re doing this for a man who’s treated you abhorrently your entire life.”
He was quiet for several seconds. “I’m doing this for the good of the family. That includes Harper.”
The tears I’d managed to stop returned in full force. “I’m happy for you. More than that.”
“I know you are, and that means the world to me.”
“What happens after you purchase the cottage?” I asked.
“They will relocate to a more modest home, given I’ve also learned my mother purchased it for them.”
“Bloody hell, this keeps getting worse.”
“I intend to offer them a budget of five hundred thousand pounds, which I will provide. From that point on, he and your mother will have to live within the means afforded to them by his position as foreign secretary.”
I couldn’t help but imagine my father’s reaction to all this. Frankly, I doubted he’d agree to any of it other than Niven purchasing the cottage to settle his debt. “Wait, how will what you’re doing prevent him from ending up in debt again?”
“I thought about that. The home will be held jointly in my name and yours. Upon your parents’ death, you will own it free and clear. However, if I learn he is trying to manipulate you in any way, I won’t hesitate to turn him out to the street. I’m sorry, Eliza, but this is all of his own making.”
“Please do not apologize. What you’re doing is far more generous than he deserves. I have but one question.”
“Go on,” he said.
“Why can’t I help? I have plenty of money, as you well know.”
He was quiet again for several seconds. “If you do, he’ll want more in the same way a blackmailer would. He will know in no uncertain terms that I will do nothing more for him. He won’t dare to even ask.”
“Understood. But can’t I reimburse you?”
“I have something else to ask of you.”
“Name it.”
“I want you to come and stay with Harper at the cottage. I know it’s inconvenient timing, but it’s important.”
“Inconvenient? God, Niv, you’re saving my parents. Whatever you need me to do, I will.”
“There’s a bit more.”
“Niven, please get to the point. You’re beginning to frighten me.”
He sighed. “I’ve been temporarily reinstated at MI6. This means two things. First, the chief has agreed to look the other way and not mire the family in scandal by revealing your parents’ predicament. In other words, he’ll bury it on my behalf, and your father will be able to retain his position. Second, I will be taking on a mission. One that might require I be gone for some length of time. Or?—”
“Do not say it!”
“Eliza, it’s a possibility we must allow for.”
“Allow all you like; just don’t speak of it to me.” I could not permit myself to consider a world without my cousin in it. Just the idea brought me back to tears.
“What I’m asking is for you to stay at the cottage with Harper for as long as needed.”
“Done.”
“As far as timing?—”
I interrupted him again. “I’ll be there by the end of the week.”