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Belinda inhaled deeply. Her sister had trusted this woman, and through her auspices, had met her future husband, Lord Aylsham.

Quite what the lady’s methods had been for bringing the pair together—especially when they’d detested one another from the start—had never been divulged.

Why Minty had been so tight-lipped about it, Belinda didn’t know, considering she herself already knew all about that sort of thing.

“I no longer wish to be a burden to my family. I’m perfectly capable of managing a household, although both my sister and her husband doubt me.

I need a chance to prove myself, which I can only do with a husband and a family of my own.

I’ve been known in the past to be somewhat—sensitive.

The term ‘melodramatic’ has also been applied to me.

” Belinda’s heart was pounding, and her throat grew tight.

Why, oh why did her body always let her down at the most important moments?

She was forced to battle her weaknesses many times a day, and it was exhausting.

Unclasping her hands, she rested them on the arms of her chair and took another deep breath.

“The reason I came to your establishment dressed as a gentleman—for which I hope you will forgive me—was to win enough to purchase your services. It was the most legitimate, and least scandalous, method I could think of to raise enough funds in a hurry.”

Mrs. Dove-Lyon lifted her finger, and Belinda paused.

“Why such urgency? Could you not attempt to find a husband in the usual way, by attending balls and suchlike?”

“My sister is great with child. I know as soon as it’s born, it will receive more love than most children of the ton, simply because of who its parents are.

The earl, for all he seems such a stuffed shirt, is great-hearted.

Once the baby’s born, the chances that I’ll fall in love with it are extremely high, and I’ll put aside any ambitions of my own to help look after it.

I know my flaws, and I must be gone from that house before affection and duty tie me to it forever, condemning me to a life of spinsterhood. ”

“It sounds to me as if spinsterhood in the Aylsham’s household would not be an unpleasant experience, particularly if, like yourself, one has a love for children.

I understand your family’s country house has been turned into a foundling hospital, and that the children from the old orphanage in Town have been moved there for the benefit of their health.

Surely, there is a place for you in this arrangement? ”

“As I said, I’m sure there’ll be a place for me, but it’s a place to which I’ll be shackled for the rest of my life. I know that I sound like the most selfish being on earth, but I really would love a family of my own.”

Belinda paused and flushed. There was more to her story, but how much should she share with the veiled woman opposite? Would things go better if she were open and honest? Oh, but it was so hard to trust anyone anymore!

“All I can tell you is that I’ve been in love and had my love returned, and having once tasted it, I know I’m missing out on the sweetest thing life can offer.”

“How old are you, Miss Bellamy? You cannot have reached your majority yet, or I would have heard of it. You must be around nineteen or so now?”

The lady paused, so Belinda nodded.

“Then I surmise you were fresh out of the schoolroom when you had your first taste of love. The chances of you ever again feeling the same passion you did in your youth are slim, and indeed, passion does not inevitably lead to happiness. You must be well-matched in a marriage, and your husband’s equal in both temperament and intelligence.

Pray, tell me—why don’t you ask for the countess’s assistance with your problem?

I know her to be kind and understanding—and she cares for you a great deal.

Why not ask her for the funds to employ me?

Why not tell her exactly what you’ve told me?

Many a problem is solved if aired and shared. ”

Belinda hung her head. “Minty—I mean, Lady Aylsham, has done so much for me. She risked everything to care for me when my life was falling apart and it’s only due to her that I’m still alive.”

Belinda’s throat was tightening again, but with emotion this time, not panic.

She swallowed. “As I said before, I wish to be a burden no longer. I’m convinced my sister will be much happier knowing that I’m settled with a family of my own.

She may not consider me able to look after myself, but I’m sure she’ll understand that a husband would do the job admirably. ”

She pressed her lips together. What was it about the owner of the Lyon’s Den that made one reveal all one’s feelings and secrets on the first encounter? Even though one had no idea what the lady was thinking.

Summoning up her courage, Belinda tilted her chin at her inquisitor.

“I don’t see that it matters anyhow, as I don’t have the funds to employ you, nor am I likely to have any in the immediate future.

I apologize for breaking the rules of the Lyon’s Den and wasting your time.

I beg you not to be too hard on poor Roland—I mean, Mr. Chetwynd.

He’s eager to please and very kind to me.

In his defense, I must say that he tried very hard to dissuade me from this particular path. ”

She stood up, now feeling very foolish wearing Roland’s second-best suit and boots. What had possessed her to dress up as man?

“You may not leave—I’m not finished with you yet.”

Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s imperious tone froze Belinda to the spot.

She suddenly felt as if she were looking at both judge and executioner and the enormity of what she’d done struck her with the force of a runaway carriage.

One word from this woman and Belinda’s reputation would be nonexistent.

And Minty and Leo, and of course, Roland, would all be victims of her foolishness.

She said nothing—she couldn’t trust her voice not to tremble.

“I wonder, Miss Bellamy, what you have to recommend you. You’re currently in my debt and will be so even more when I’ve found the answer to your prayers.

Not every woman I have helped has paid me in coin.

Some have done me favors, some have made me rare or valuable gifts and others have worked off their debt to me in one way or another.

I could, perchance, make use of you, if you have any skills that you think would be valuable in an establishment like this. ”

Belinda tried not to gape at Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

If she was not mistaken, the lady had just offered her a way out of her current predicament which needn’t involve paying out a large sum of money!

The only question was: what did the owner of a notorious gambling den have in mind for a well-bred young woman with fashionable looks and no useful skills or experience at all?

With one possible exception . . .