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“Most gracious,” Lucilla replied dryly, her tone telling Will she didn’t believe his explanation for an instant “Now that you have returned, let’sen fa at once”
“I’d be delighted to dine, but first I’d better warn you that, grateful as I aentle a few ton gatherings, I’ve discovered, like Marcus, that I don’t much enjoy them”
“Always said you were a rin
While Lucilla shushed her husband, Will continued, “More to the point, after ly difficult to i me so I can relieve her of her fortune and use it to restore my estate” He shook his head, a wry smile on his lips “I can’t do it, Lucilla”
For a long er read his thoughts as well as she’d been able when they were children
“I see,” she said at last “What do youand forfeit any chance of finding a wife and having a fa a hand on her husband’s arine, having never possessed one Don’t throay the opportunity too hastily, Will”
“Oh, I’ra who had ruled it out for hi as pain slashed across his heart “But as inured to poverty as I’ve become over the years, upon reflection I realized I don’t want to bring a bride to the ruin Brook has beco it into some sort of order first”
He held up a hand before Lucilla could reply “You’re going to say I haven’t enough capital to effect significant repairs, nor have I any knowledge of estate ement, and you’re correct But I can learn I want to learn It will take years, I know, but I’m convinced that this is what I must do”
Looking at her frowning face, he sighed “I am sorry, Lucilla I don’t expect you to understand why I’ht,” he added, nodding to Domcaster “I intend to leave for Brook as soon as I settle rateful wretch and throw me out before dinner, you’ve my leave to proceed”
Lucilla looked to her husband, as if asking whether she should argue further After he gave her a ative shake of the head, she turned back to Will
“I a forward to watching you win the heart of so her soften yours in return I don’t suppose this decision has anything to do with the interesting on-dit I heard this ?”
“On-dit?” Will echoed in what he hoped was an innocent tone, though he suspected he knehat she’d learned
“That Miss Antinori has abandoned her Season and left London Now, soed by that viper Lady Lynton, no doubt, speculate that she beca her that she was obliged to leave—”
“The devil they are!” Will interrupted, fury suffusing him as he leapt to his feet, hands curled into fists “Tellsuch scurrilous falsehoods! I promise you, when I aht!”
Eyes going wide, Lucilla gasped at his vehe hand on his arm “Sit down, Will,” he said mildly “As alith scurrilous ru Those ere acquainted with the girl will know the the talk”
Hard put to contain his anger, Will resu his decision, he continued, “Probably many in the ton would consider what she really did as reprehensible as ruination by so decided that society was…not to her liking, she chose to take a position as governess with a fa to Italy She wished to see her father’s homeland”
“The ton probably would think succu herself out as a governess,” Doh”
“Do you knohich family?” Lucilla asked
“Sir Henry and Lady Malvern”
“I’ little girl Very well, when the subject arises, I shall inform everyone that Miss Antinori was invited to accompany the Malverns to the continent”
Sratitude, Will said, “I would appreciate that”
“Putting that version of her story about ine,” Lucilla replied “As I’m sure you will be pleased to know, Lady Lynton is soon to leave London It see Sapphira to vacate Lynton House as soon as possible since heho about Lady Lynton retiring to an estate in Cumbria…”