Page 27

But…

“You…you think she cares for me?” Lord, he hated how vulnerable the words sounded.

Aunt Jean’s smile grew even more smug. “I have been around long enough to know when a woman loves a man, my dear.”

“So…”

“Of course she does, Roo Roo. Of course she does.”

He swallowed hard. The food on his plate no longer appealed now his stomach was a jumble of nerves and excitement. If that was true…Lord, if that was really true, he’d have to be the luckiest man in the world. He peered at her through the window and saw her give a little jump as she finally set up the easel. He grinned.

“Oh, my lawyer is visiting today,” his aunt said airily. “Something about my investments in London or something. I said you would be here so he can discuss things properly with you.” She waved a hand. “You know I have never understood money.”

He grimaced. He knew that all too well considering Cartwright was still allowed in this house. The other problem with him leaving was it would make his aunt vulnerable once more, but he was fairly certain he could trust Angel to look after her. She did not like Cartwright any more than he did and was quite inventive at ensuring he did not enjoy his visits here. He’d have a word with Angel and see to it that she would keep any potential charlatans away. If she agreed to him courting her, he would still visit regularly anyway.

God, he hoped she said yes.

“I shall speak with him,” Reuben agreed. He could also speak to the lawyer and see what else they could do to protect her finances. “But then I really must think about returning home.”

Aunt Jean blinked at him. “You do not want to leave, surely?”

“I have stayed for some time now, Aunt. I have been neglecting my duties.”

She sighed. “People were wondering about the length of your visit, so I suppose it was to be expected.”

He stiffened. The last thing he wanted to think about was people gossiping about him. His family had experienced enough of that with his mother. Regardless of how much he’d rather stay here with Angel, it was definitely time to leave.

“She’ll miss you, you know.” Aunt Jean gestured outside with a spoon laden with jam. Several drops of the crimson liquid splattered across the pristine white table cloth. It reminded him of when he’d first set eyes on Angel.

His aunt waved wildly at the window, and he glanced up to see Angel beaming at them and waving back. His heart nearly lodged into his throat. He’d get this meeting done with the lawyer then speak to her about his aunt.

Then ask if he could court her.

His cravat seemed to tighten around his neck. He’d spoken in Parliament for goodness sakes. He was a grown man with plenty of life experience. But the thought of Lady Angel Templeton not returning his affections had him feeling like a damned schoolboy again.

And, very much like a shy schoolboy, he avoided her for the morning, keeping himself busy answering letters until the lawyer arrived. Mr. Ellis greeted him with a warm handshake as Reuben showed him into his late-Uncle’s study. Aunt Jean preferred to conduct business in the drawing room, but Reuben needed to have this conversation away from his aunt.

“I heard you were staying here, Mr. Hunter.” Mr. Ellis sat on the chair opposite Reuben and tugged out some papers. “I’m glad you are. Your aunt and I have been discussing what would happen if she…well…begun to lose her faculties.”

Reuben grimaced. “I’m sure you’re aware that she has been a little scattered for a while.” He considered her words this morning. There had been no vagueness or uncertainty in those. “Though it varies,” he added.

Mr. Ellis nodded thoughtfully. “That is why we think giving you control of her finances might be the best way of ensuring your aunt and her finances are fully protected.”

Reuben paused. Yes, he had hoped there would be something they could do, but he didn’t think his aunt would ever agree to such a thing.

“Aunt Jean agreed to this?”

Mr. Ellis pushed the papers over the table. “As you can see.”

He eyed his aunt’s signature and pushed a hand through his hair. He was grateful his aunt trusted him so much with her welfare but…there was something painful about her handing over all power to him.

“Will you give me time to read these over and talk to my own lawyer?” Reuben lifted a few pages and shuffled them back into one pile. “How did you get Aunt Jean to consider this?”

Mr. Ellis smiled. “Your aunt is no foolish woman. You have always been her favorite and everyone knows you will inherit eventually.”

“I do not—”

“She also knows you have no hunger for her money. As do we all. It was an easy decision for her to make.” Mr. Ellis eyed him. “I would have thought you would be glad to have this put in place.”