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Miss Lovell covered her mouth with her hand and took a step back Her complexion turned pallid, and she sed visibly

“For heaven’s sake, Gilligan,” Lord Lovell said with a w

eary sigh, “just adet in out of the cold” He turned to Miss Lovell and said in a hushed tone, “Now do you see why I prefer to keep my own accounts?”

Miss Lovell lowered her tre hand “You didn’t hire a steward because Arabella forbade it Heaven help her if she had to account for her frivolous spending”

Miles watched the interaction between brother and sister The relationship showed signs of strain Anyone could see that Was it because they were opposites in every regard?

“I didn’t get the roof rethatched because I spent the an said, desperate to defend his position “Miss Lovell will tell you”

She narrowed her gaze “While you arranged for the repairs to Mr Roberts’ roof, the cost was a tenth of what it would be to replace a thatched roof What happened to the rest?”

Clever lady

At this rate, Miss Shreould be the one to force a confession

Gilligan’s mouth opened, but it took a moment before he formed a word “Well … there was the replacementfor Mrs Shaw, and the erm … the—”

“But you said you had gone begging and borrowing to cover the cost of that You were given supper at the coaching inn and two tankards of ale by way of thanks”

Gilligan mumbled to himself

“And do not dare say you spent it on fixing the well,” she continued “We both knohere the funds for that came from”

Guilt tightened the muscles in Miles’ throat His sto sense that he’d been remiss in his duties as lord and master It didn’t matter that he’d entrusted that role to another He should have hired soan to task He should not have been so trusting

“While I would have preferred to hear the truth, Gilligan,” Miles began, “I know enough ofhabit You’ve been entertaining whores in lected your duties In the end, it all a”