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“I am, Mr. Ellis, really. I am just surprised. I imagined I would have to spend a few more years protecting my aunt’s finances before she agreed to such measures.”

“Well, now you no longer have to worry about the safety of your inheritance,” joked Mr. Ellis.

Reuben ignored the quip. He had enough money of his own, but if he could ensure men like Cartwright did not get another penny, he’d be grateful.

“I’ll be in touch once I have spoken to my lawyer.” Reuben went to stand and paused at the sound of a floorboard squeaking outside. No doubt one of the servants was snooping, but it didn’t really matter. If news that he would soon control his aunt’s finances spread to Cartwright and any other potential swindlers, he would not mind.

He stood fully and offered his hand to Mr. Ellis.

Now that was dealt with, he had a much bigger task at hand. He had to ask Angel if he could court her.

Chapter Eleven

Angel felt the blood run from her face down to her fingertips. She curled them into fists and moved away from the study door as she heard the men concluding their business. She tucked herself into an alcove and tried to take slow breaths that were all hot and spiky. When she spotted Reuben and the lawyer leaving the office, the warmth returned to her face—this time like an inferno had been lit underneath her.

No wonder he had not welcomed her arrival here. No bloody wonder. He was hoping to get his hands on his aunt’s inheritance. And now he practically had it by the sounds of it.

A bitter taste sprung up in her mouth when the lawyer’s laughter echoed through her mind.Now you no longer have to worry about the safety of your inheritance.

Reuben’s voice had been softer so she had not been able to hear his response, but he made no denials, she was certain of that.

Angel pressed a hand to her chest and tried to rub away some of the ache that gathered there. What a fool she had been. Taken in by his gruff looks and increasingly charming manner. Goodness, he probably did all those early morning rides in not enough clothes just to addle her mind. And it had worked. After that kiss…She rubbed her chest harder but the pain still lingered.

After that kiss, she had been thinking all sorts of foolish thoughts. After all, she was due to leave soon. Her commitmentto Mrs. Stone would be fulfilled within the week. She’d planned to explain her task to Reuben and hoped he would be open to her coming to visit regularly—and perhaps seeing her in London. And then maybe…

She clapped hands to her cheeks. What a silly, silly girl she had been.

The only reason he had been so nice to her had been because he realized he could not scare her away. Maybe he even intended to slowly seduce her, ensure that she was pliable when he gained control of his aunt’s finances. She snorted. And here she was thinking Mr. Cartwright was who she needed to be defending Mrs. Stone from.

Well, she had some time. If she understood the conversation properly, Reuben wanted his lawyer to look over the papers. If she could persuade Mrs. Stone to put a stop to this, perhaps all would not be lost.

Her return home would have to be delayed, however.

“Angel.”

The deep timbre of his voice sent a traitorous thrill through her. She jumped away from the wall as Reuben strode toward her.

“Oh, do excuse me.” She waved a hand and dashed away from him, taking the steps two at a time until she reached her bedroom. She barreled in through the door and slammed it shut.

Hands to her stays, she drew in a few deep breaths. She would have to avoid being alone with him lest he figured out that she understood his devious plan. She was no practiced liar, but so long as she remained at Mrs. Stone’s side, it would be all right, she reckoned.

Angel eyed the letter on her desk. Usually Minerva would be the one sending letters but this time it was from Seth. Apparently Minerva was still away from home having not yet completed her task. But she could not worry about that rightnow. Nor could she think on the fact that Seth had not quite received the yes he needed.

Or the fact the Duke of Norwick looked likely to propose to a Lady Emma very soon. Seth had begged her to make haste home as soon as her task was finished to ensure the duke remembered hisdarling sister.

But the duke did not matter anymore. Not when Mrs. Stone needed her.

Angel sat and pulled out a piece of paper and plucked up a ready-sharpened quill. She scrawled out a quick letter, explaining that her stay would be extended here and to tell Theo and Mr. Barton. There was no way of expanding on her reasons, but hopefully her brothers would not be concerned. It sounded as though they had their own problems to think on anyway.

She blotted the scrawl, folded and bound the letter, then stood. Her heart dropped down to her toes for the second time that day when she glanced out of the window and spied a familiar top hat. Of all the people to visit, did it have to be him?

Lifting on tiptoes to view Mr. Cartwright fully from her window, she clenched the letter hard. She was in no mood for dealing with another swindler.

Letter in hand, she marched downstairs and handed it to one of the servants, requesting it be posted today. By the time Mr. Cartwright had reached the front door, Angel was ready, arms folded across her chest.

Mr. Cartwright grinned as he handed the butler his hat. “Well, I did not expect this sort of a welcome. Did you miss me?”

“Like a headache,” Angel said coldly.