‘I don’t have any standing to keep you from attempting this. I even concede that ruination might—might—prove useful, if the scenario played out as you envision it. But my time in the army taught me that if you’re heading into an ambush, you should always plan several alterative counter-strikes to every conceivable attack your enemy might deliver. Never walk into a fight with only one defence in mind.’
‘What other outcome could there be, besides a chastened—or at least stymied—gentleman, or the ruin of my reputation?’
‘I don’t know. But I don’t like being boxed into a corner.’
‘Mr Tawny, I appreciate your taking the time and trouble to warn me about Lord Denbry’s scheme. You could have had no idea, before meeting me, how unlikely I was to be taken in by it and can justly commend yourself for preventing what could have been some poor female’s ruination. But having delivered that warning, you really bear no further responsibility for what happens next.’
He studied her for a moment. ‘You’re going to do this anyway, regardless of my advice.’
‘I really think I must. I’d feel such a...coward, backing down now.’
‘Prudence is not the same as cowardice. Do you really think showing up Denbry will teach him a lesson?’
‘Probably not,’ she conceded. ‘But I will feel better, having made the attempt. As I’m sure you do, having put forth the effort to stop his scheme.’
‘I’ve not really stopped it, if you allow it to continue.’
‘Surely whether or not it continues is now my decision. Or do you, like my father and brother, feel that because I’m a female, I am not fit to choose my own future?’
‘If you were a friend and a man, I would still advise you to avoid a confrontation. Please, Lady Alyssa! I can understand why, after your father stole from you the life and the love you wanted, you would resist a man’s guidance. But don’t let your anger over that previous injury propel you into a situation that could end up much worse.’
He watched her, hoping his appeal would persuade. He had to find some way to put a stop to this before her plan progressed any further. Even if it meant doing what he’d hoped to avoid—confronting Denbry himself.
‘Will you promise me not to intervene?’ she asked. ‘That’s what you’re considering now, isn’t it? Riding up to Dornton Manor, seeking out Lord Denbry and telling him you’ve warned me of his intentions, so he might as well take himself off?’
Sometimes she was too needle-witted. ‘Would that be so bad? He’d be furious, of course, but hardly surprised; I told him the night he proposed the wager that I found the scheme disgraceful. He’d get over his anger—and if he didn’t, there’s not much he could do to injure me. Having me intervene would preserve all your alternatives. You could still argue your father into releasing your great-aunt’s funds. But, if you were not living in exiled disgrace, you would safeguard your opportunities to meet, and marry, a respectable gentleman. Like your Will.’
‘That’s a generous offer. But you can’t be eager to insert yourself into this tawdry affair, else you would have confronted Denbry at once, rather than warning me.’
‘I hadn’t intended to confront him,’ Ben admitted. ‘But I’m certainly prepared to do so, if that will prevent him causing you harm.’
‘But this is personal now—don’t you see? Not just a threat to some poor nameless female, he has threatened me. I want to see it through myself—not hand it over to a male champion. Will you give me your promise not to interfere?’
Ben hesitated, trying to think of a pledge that he could, in good conscience, manage to keep. ‘How about this?’ he said, improvising as he went along. ‘I promise not to come to Dornton Manor and confront Denbry, if you promise to meet me here each morning and report your progress. In the interim, I’ll remain in the village, where I can keep an eye on the posting inns, in case...further assistance should be needed.’
While she paused, considering his suggestion, he ran the plan through his head again. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was the best guarantee of safety he could come up with on the spur of the moment. Denbry would have to hire a carriage; he wouldn’t risk trying to abduct an unwilling female on horseback, her struggles clearly visible for any passer-by to notice. If Lady Alyssa insisted in holding her ground, there was nothing he could do to minimise the risk that the Earl might later try to spread rumours about her, but he could at least make sure the man couldn’t make off with her.
‘Do you really feel so strongly that, despite having delivered your warning, you cannot just return to London?’
‘Not now—when it’s the warning I gave which has prompted you to take further action. Not until Denbry, Rossiter and Quinlen leave and the danger of any confrontation is over. It’s hard enough to accept that I can’t do anything more to prevent them whispering about you later.’
She sighed. ‘You really do have the deepest sense of responsibility I’ve ever encountered in a man.’
‘From what you’ve told me of the men of your family, that wouldn’t be difficult.’
‘Very well. Though I hate to further delay your return to London, I agree to meet you here each morning—as long as you promise not to come to Dornton Manor. I don’t believe it will take much longer for Denbry to suggest an elopement. First, because spending time in my company must be wearisome for him, and second, because he can’t be sure my brother won’t unexpectedly show up and he knows Harleton would never believe he harbours “honourable intentions” towards me. Speaking of being found out, how have you managed to lurk about Dornton Village? Hasn’t the merchant who engaged you begun to wonder why a poor, unemployed former soldier remains in town, freely spending his blunt at an inn?’
‘I told him there was a possibility of getting some work at Dornton later—which is true!’ he added, holding up a hand to forestall her protest. ‘I didn’t specify when such employment might become available. Sooner or later, a large country house like Dornton will find itself in need of another gardener or groom or footman. And I’ve funded my food and lodging by engaging the locals in a few rounds of cards every evening. One couldn’t leave the army in India without becoming an expert at every known game of chance.’
She shook her head at him. ‘You are the most complete hand! I only hope you didn’t fleece the poor villagers out of too much blunt.’
‘Just enough to pay my shot,’ Ben assured her with a grin.
She glanced up, studying the slant of sunlight through the trees. ‘It’s getting late. I must go.’
They both stood and he bowed to her. ‘I cannot wish you good luck with your plan, Lady Alyssa, but I do wish it swiftly completed.’
‘Fair enough.’ She offered her hand and, bemused at that conspiratorial touch, he shook it. A startlingly intense sensual connection rocketed from her fingers to his, firing the smoking attraction between them back to flame.
For a moment, they stood that hand-clasp apart, gazes riveting, the desire he recognised in her eyes making it even more difficult for Ben to fight off the urgent need to kiss her.
Before he lost the battle, she dropped her gaze and pulled her hand free. ‘No one has ever volunteered to be my champion,’ she said, her voice gruff. ‘I’m very touched by your offer—even though I can’t accept it. Until tomorrow, Mr Tawny.’
‘Until tomorrow, Lady Alyssa.’
Absently rubbing his fingers, where her touch still seemed to tingle on his skin, he watched her walk away, battling the urge to follow and intervene, despite her express wish. He hated having his hands tied, even though he’d devised a plan that stood a reasonable chance of protecting her.
Concentrating on how best to guarantee her safety might help him fight off the desire that simple handshake had just fired in him. He should also remind