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He swung around with a glare, a lock of dark hair falling across his brow "Ah, she sent reinforcelass "Never say defeat"

Eleanor laced her fingers together in an effort to still their shaking "She does not know I am here, my lord"

"But you are here to plead on her behalf, yes?" Hea bottle in one hand and the snifter in the other "Letherself on the sofa, she decided to o--"

"The woman needs someone to knock sense into her head She’s lucky I have no desire to mete out the punishment she truly deserves Time in prison would be more than appropriate for her"

He downed his brandy and refilled it again,under his breath, "But I would not dreauards"

Eleanor griood day, she found Lord Brookshire inti, but in a foul teer She does need someone to take her in hand I’m only an old woman What power do I have over her? As it is, my time on earth runs short Meredith needs a husband" She hardly saw herself as nearing death’s door, but hoped it ht arouse Lord Brookshire’s pity

"She had a husband," he pointed out

Dropping her hand froust, "A true husband A husband who actually resides in the same home with her would be a start"

"What man would want such a deceitful wife?" Brookshire stabbed his finger toward the ceiling, where Meredith presumably packed

"She’s not unattractive," Eleanor defended "And quite capable of running a household She’s been left to her own devices for so ed Oak Run better than any man before her She would be an asset for any husband"

"You have described nothing ood housekeeper" He waved his snifter in a small circle "Now that I know your niece for what she is, I can understand why a husband would abandon her"

Eleanor gasped "That is ave her a chance to be a real wife"

"Well, no," Lord Brookshire grudgingly admitted "He wouldn’t have"

She tilted her head curiously at his unexpected agreeree, then?

"I do know a little of my half brother’s… nature"

"A proper husband and a few children should keep her in check" She nodded reflectively, as if this were a revelation for her and not a theory she had mulled over for several years "Meredith would become his responsibility and not yours"

He considered Eleanor for a long aze and held her breath, hoping she had achieved her point Elated that he appeared to be listening, she decided to push further "Once er be your responsibility None of us would" Her hand fluttered to her throat, indicating her person, should he have forgotten that she was part of the burden

His snifter stopped halfway to his mouth "Buyers keepers?" he asked dryly

"Well, let’s not be vulgar about it, my lord My niece is not property"

"You are absolutely correct, e" He twirled his brandy in the snifter and took a s "She does not have to remarry to free me of responsibility I can simply declare myself free"

Eleanor smiled "That’s easier said than done Society will look to you for her care and ement"

"I’ve never cared nored her little frission of alare as the best solution for everyone concerned "Meredith was married to an earl With a reasonable dowry, she would be quite a catch for soentleman It should not be a difficult matter to wed her off"

"Have you some poor fool in mind already?"

"No, but the Season starts soon An excellent opportunity for Meredith toher before shifting his attention to the now eripped the sofa ar your niece have a Season? Isn’t she a little old for the entlemen who prefer a mature woman over a child bride Especially should she possess a respectable dowry Weren’t you planning to settle so already overheard froive your niece a one-time settlement in lieu of the jointure my half brother failed to provide I told her as much"

She leaned forward "That could just as easily be her dowry" Fro of his brows, Eleanor kneas close to relenting

"Just think, she would no longer bear your naer share your title" She leaned back in the chair "With your name, she would forever be linked to you, whether you like it or not But then… thather lips in ument