The Heiress - Lynsay Sands [67]
When Christiana frowned, Suzette realized how bitter her words sounded and glanced away with a frown of her own. She was a little bitter about it, which was just silly when that was exactly what she’d been looking for, a man in straits dire enough that he would be willing to marry her for her dower and agree to leave her control of part of it, as well as allow her to lead her own life if she chose. Why did Daniel’s agreeing to do just that suddenly bother her?
“Are you having second thoughts about marrying Daniel?” Christiana asked quietly.
Suzette swallowed and considered the question. Second thoughts? No. She wanted to marry him. She had come to like him and enjoy his company and . . . she just wished he really wanted to marry her in return.
“Perhaps Richard would be willing to cover Father’s gambling debts. If we even need to cover them. If we prove he was drugged and didn’t gamble at all—”
“Nay, ’tis fine. I doubt it would be that easy to prove and we have enough on our plate at the moment,” Suzette said, the words tumbling quickly from her lips. Forcing a smile, she steered them firmly away from the uncomfortable subject and said, “Speaking of which, we should really get back to our task. Who have we not yet talked to?”
Chapter Nine
Do you know that fellow?”
Daniel leaned toward the carriage window to peer out at the man Richard was indicating. An older gentleman was pacing back and forth on the path in front of Richard’s townhouse. He was well dressed, with gray hair, and had a hat and cane, but his noble appearance was belied by the fact that he appeared to be talking to himself as he paced.
“He looks vaguely familiar,” Daniel said slowly, noting the man’s facial features, but unable to place the fellow. “He seems a little troubled about something.”
“Grand.” Richard opened the carriage door to get out. “More trouble at my door.”
“You do seem to attract it of late,” Daniel commented on a dry laugh as he followed him.
When they reached the man, he was again paused before the townhouse door. He stood and stared at it briefly, and then muttering under his breath, the fellow suddenly turned. He just as suddenly paused and jumped back when he found Richard standing in his path.
Daniel peered at the man curiously as Richard asked, “Is there something I can assist you with, sir?”
For some reason the question made the man’s eyes widen incredulously. “What?”
“I am Lord Radnor.” He held out one hand. “Can I be of assistance?”
Daniel couldn’t help noticing that the gentleman stared at the offered hand as if it were a viper. He then scowled and said grimly, “Surely you jest, my lord. After all you have cost me with your shady dealings, you think to act like you do not know me?”
Daniel raised his eyebrows at this response as Richard let his hand drop to his side. It seemed obvious to him that this man must have had dealings with Dicky this last year and—not unnaturally—was mistaking Richard for his brother.
“Why do we not go inside and discuss this?” Richard moved past the man.
The fellow turned to watch him open the door, then suddenly whirled back and started forward. Daniel thought the man was simply going to leave and took a moment to debate whether to stop him or not. After all, they may gain some information from him about George’s doings as Dicky this last year, he thought. But before he could make up his mind, the older man jerked a black and ivory pistol from inside his jacket and instead of passing Daniel, stopped and pressed the weapon