Rhe. Christopher stood by you through the scandal, and has offered for you since. You owe him some respect, and ignoring his invitation is rude.”
Rheda dramatically threw an arm over her eyes as if the light hurt them. “Lady Hale sent the invitation, not her son. Christopher’s a bumbling idiot. Lovable, but such a bore. All he is interested in is hunting and fishing. He cares nothing for the villagers of Deal.”
Daniel had the decency to blush. “But you’d be safe. We’d be safe. Provided for. Even with the scandal hanging over you, you know he’d still marry you.”
“That’s because he’s too dim-witted to believe it. Sorry, that was uncalled for. I didn’t mean it.” She sighed. “Anyway, I am not trying to avoid Lord Hale.” This at least was true. It was the guest of honor she wished to avoid, Lord Strathmore. The mere thought of his name sent shame searing through her body and set her pulse fluttering.
“Then why can’t you accompany me and lend your support? It’s been a long time since the earl offered you his hand in marriage. I am sure he has all but forgotten your refusal. The awkwardness has long since passed.”
She hadn’t told Daniel about her encounter with the sinfully handsome Lord Strathmore four days ago, nor did she intend to. Her assumption that Lord Strathmore would look for her had been correct. So far, by threatening the mere name, “Dark Shadow,” she’d managed to stop any tittle-tattle. The gypsy woman named Rhe remained a mystery to the viscount, and she wanted it to remain that way.
“I am truly sorry, Daniel. It’s my monthly courses. Please go without me.”
A pained look flashed across Daniel’s face.
He was a handsome boy with features similar to hers, although his hair was much darker, a rich chestnut brown. She frowned. Rather like Lord Strathmore’s. Goodness, why did he keep popping into her head?
She swept her eyes over her brother. At almost nineteen Daniel was still really a boy. His looks and title had the local girls in a swoon. However, his ability to find a suitable match would be greatly disadvantaged if she couldn’t inflate the family coffers. Neither one of them bore any blame for their impoverished state.
Daniel originally had no idea how Rheda kept the creditors at bay, and by the time he did it was too late. He allowed her to continue only because he needed the extra money to restore the estate to its former glory. She had to give him a large portion of her earnings. Daniel was determined to rejoin Society. Once he achieved his goal he’d close her down without blinking an eye. What she needed was her horse stud profitable by then.
She loved Daniel dearly. She’d been more like a mother to him because he’d never known his own.
Rheda had been left to raise him when their mother died in childbirth—his birth. Their father took no interest in either of his offspring, too intent on drinking, whoring, and gambling.
Their family had never been affluent, but at seventeen, after their father’s death, she was stunned to learn the extent of their debts. It appeared the late baron bestowed more money on his mistresses than on his children. They were certainly better provided for.
Since then Rheda had been determined to protect Daniel’s inheritance. She’d worked hard, and with the help of “Dark Shadow” had managed to pay off her father’s debts and maintain Tumsbury Cliff Manor in a reasonable state of repair.
Daniel bent and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Very well, I shall offer your apologies. I’ll miss having you by my side.”
She ruffled his hair. “You are such a liar. I know Lady Umbridge is also a guest at Hastingleigh. You know scandal surrounds the beautiful widow. She’s renowned for her sexual prowess. I expect that like most young bucks you’re itching to make her acquaintance.”
“Rheda, you of all people know not all scandal is true. Besides, you should not know of such things,” Daniel scolded, his
Rheda dramatically threw an arm over her eyes as if the light hurt them. “Lady Hale sent the invitation, not her son. Christopher’s a bumbling idiot. Lovable, but such a bore. All he is interested in is hunting and fishing. He cares nothing for the villagers of Deal.”
Daniel had the decency to blush. “But you’d be safe. We’d be safe. Provided for. Even with the scandal hanging over you, you know he’d still marry you.”
“That’s because he’s too dim-witted to believe it. Sorry, that was uncalled for. I didn’t mean it.” She sighed. “Anyway, I am not trying to avoid Lord Hale.” This at least was true. It was the guest of honor she wished to avoid, Lord Strathmore. The mere thought of his name sent shame searing through her body and set her pulse fluttering.
“Then why can’t you accompany me and lend your support? It’s been a long time since the earl offered you his hand in marriage. I am sure he has all but forgotten your refusal. The awkwardness has long since passed.”
She hadn’t told Daniel about her encounter with the sinfully handsome Lord Strathmore four days ago, nor did she intend to. Her assumption that Lord Strathmore would look for her had been correct. So far, by threatening the mere name, “Dark Shadow,” she’d managed to stop any tittle-tattle. The gypsy woman named Rhe remained a mystery to the viscount, and she wanted it to remain that way.
“I am truly sorry, Daniel. It’s my monthly courses. Please go without me.”
A pained look flashed across Daniel’s face.
He was a handsome boy with features similar to hers, although his hair was much darker, a rich chestnut brown. She frowned. Rather like Lord Strathmore’s. Goodness, why did he keep popping into her head?
She swept her eyes over her brother. At almost nineteen Daniel was still really a boy. His looks and title had the local girls in a swoon. However, his ability to find a suitable match would be greatly disadvantaged if she couldn’t inflate the family coffers. Neither one of them bore any blame for their impoverished state.
Daniel originally had no idea how Rheda kept the creditors at bay, and by the time he did it was too late. He allowed her to continue only because he needed the extra money to restore the estate to its former glory. She had to give him a large portion of her earnings. Daniel was determined to rejoin Society. Once he achieved his goal he’d close her down without blinking an eye. What she needed was her horse stud profitable by then.
She loved Daniel dearly. She’d been more like a mother to him because he’d never known his own.
Rheda had been left to raise him when their mother died in childbirth—his birth. Their father took no interest in either of his offspring, too intent on drinking, whoring, and gambling.
Their family had never been affluent, but at seventeen, after their father’s death, she was stunned to learn the extent of their debts. It appeared the late baron bestowed more money on his mistresses than on his children. They were certainly better provided for.
Since then Rheda had been determined to protect Daniel’s inheritance. She’d worked hard, and with the help of “Dark Shadow” had managed to pay off her father’s debts and maintain Tumsbury Cliff Manor in a reasonable state of repair.
Daniel bent and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Very well, I shall offer your apologies. I’ll miss having you by my side.”
She ruffled his hair. “You are such a liar. I know Lady Umbridge is also a guest at Hastingleigh. You know scandal surrounds the beautiful widow. She’s renowned for her sexual prowess. I expect that like most young bucks you’re itching to make her acquaintance.”
“Rheda, you of all people know not all scandal is true. Besides, you should not know of such things,” Daniel scolded, his
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