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The gentleh the many riders with one hand lifted to his hat bri Gabriel Ashford, ninth Earl of Westfield, was a gazetted rake of prominent family and fortune, which ensured that an inordinate nuh his exploits were known to include nearly every vice, there were no signs of dissipationthe features that incited some women to swoon He looked fit and lean, and his easy smile was on full display

As Westfield drew near, his countenance changed subtly The façade he wore so well slipped a little, revealing the true ood and kind entleman he considered a friend

"Good afternoon, Bond"

Jasper tipped his hat "My lord"

"I saw you eyeing Montague" Westfield drew abreast of Jasper’s et his hands on Miss Martin’s fortune and settle his debt?"

"Actually, it was Miss Martin who held my interest"

"Ah…I failed to collect that elusive bluestockings were to your taste"

"Paying clients are always to " Westfield’s brows rose "Why does Miss Martin require your services?"

Jasper spurred his horse into motion The earl followed suit

"What do you know of her and her kin?" Jasper asked

"The Tremaine brood is unquestionably an odd lot, which ossip about The males are known to be brilliant to the point of ly beautiful shade of hair Miss Martin seems to have inherited a bit of both traits in addition to her sizeable fortune As for her parents, Mr Martin was aand vivacious Although Miss Martin seems as indifferent to men as her mother was appreciative, I’ve wondered if a deeper rese to conte her ina was known to have a fondness for the social company of ged "I cannot say However, sheher presentation She would have had her pick of peers, but instead jumped into matrimony with a commoner Why, unless it was a love match? And if it was a love match, I doubt she would stray"

"What do you know of Mr Martin?"

"I know his death was shocking to orous constitution He was built like a laborer and often pitched in as one when the opportunity presented itself A servant found him dead in his office when he failed to appear for supper A weak heart was bla further back, before Eliza’s present-day suitors, to see if the trouble plaguing her had begun long before now

Westfield inclined his head at a passing acquaintance "Many have speculated that the vagaries of the farave His due, so to speak, for his lofty ina ain, to another coh passions and a lack of prejudice Did Eliza carry those inclinations? How delicious if she did…

Jasper shook off the tangential thought "Miss Martin has a stepfather?"

"Had Lady Georgina and Mr Chilcott were killed together in a carriage accident before Miss Martin’s first Season The poor girl has been sorely afflicted with tragedy"

Did she grieve? Jasper wondered Had she always been so detached from others or was that a recently acquired safety mechanism?