of silence stretched between them.
“Not far at all. Only a half day’s ride. Far enough that my father should not think of looking there, should he have reason to search for us. Yet close enough that if we leave in the morning, we can reach our destination well before tea.”
“Do you fear your father that much?”
He lowered his snifter and rested it on his knee. “Did you ever meet my father?”
Lia had heard every horrid detail of Jannie’s few moments in the presence of the Marquess of Trentridge, but the very recollection of it stilled her tongue.
“Surely Evan wouldn’t have introduced you to our father. He surely would have known that would be the worst of mistakes.”
“Actually, we did meet briefly, and it went badly. Evan was mortified.”
“No doubt. I’m actually appalled that Evan put you through that. Father would never accept his heir marrying beneath him. He would have objected to your lack of station and made no bones about it.”
“He did rather colorfully express his objection to our association.”
“I’m sure he did. He would have had a difficult time accepting that his heir wanted to marry the daughter of a mere professor. A common man can hardly compare to Society’s titled nobility, no matter how intelligent or knowledgeable he is.”
Lia felt her temper rise as she searched for a touch of irony in his tone and heard little. “No. They hardly compare. Is that your impression, as well, my lord?”
His expression turned dark. “Are you asking if I object to you marrying my brother as emphatically as my father did?”
Lia knew it was important that she stand up to him now. If she didn’t, he would have the power to destroy her. “That’s exactly what I’m asking.”
“I don’t see where my opinion matters one way or the other.”
“I think it would matter a great deal to your brother. I believe he would want to know if you could come to terms with his choice of wife, or if you would always hold his wife in contempt, as does your father.”
“Perhaps he would, but since he is no longer here to object, I don’t find it important.”
“Lord help us!” She huffed as she rose angrily from her chair. “Are you always this obtuse? Perhaps you aren’t that different from your father.”
“Enough!” His voice took on a harshness that he seemed to try hard to soften as he continued. “You know nothing of me or of my father. I would ask you not to assume that my father and I are alike in the least.”
“I will speak because I am about to put my life and my…my son’s wellbeing in your hands.” Now it was she who felt the need to soften her tone.
“Then perhaps we should make an effort to learn to tolerate one another. At least for the child’s sake. The last thing I want is to have to fight you and my father at the same time.”
“Then I suggest we avoid each other as much as possible, my lord.”
The man sitting next to her put a harsh expression on his face. “I agree wholeheartedly.”
Hunter Montclaire rose to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, my lady. Suffice it to say that I expect to be on the road one week from today. Until then I expect you to conduct yourself with the greatest of caution.”
“But what if my brother isn’t here yet? Or a wet nurse hasn’t been secured? We would have to delay our departure.”
“As to your brother, I’m afraid we’ll be forced to leave without him. As to the wet nurse, it should be no hardship to procure one when we reach our destination. I’m sure we can find one in the village or among my tenant families.”
A wave of panic surged through her. If need be, she was sure a wet nurse could be found when they arrived at Lord Montclaire’s estate. But she didn’t want to leave without Miles. She needed him to protect her from the Marquess of Trentridge, should he find out about George’s existence.
Even more importantly, she needed her brother to protect her against Lord Hunter Montclaire.
Chapter 5
Hunter sat in the library nursing a glass of brandy. His sister-in-law stood watching out the window that faced the drive. She was waiting for her brother. It had been one day shy of a week since she’d written him.
Hunter was serious when he’d told her they would leave tomorrow morning. If her brother didn’t arrive yet today, they would leave without him.
He heard