Page 61 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

“These are the originals?” she guessed, looking up at him.

Ludo nodded. “The painting on the ones we sell are less detailed, as it takes too long, but still very good quality. We’ve some marvellous painters working with us.”

“Yes,” Bunty agreed, nodding. “You do.”

“You like them, then?” he asked, and she heard the eagerness in his voice.

“I think they’re wonderful. Any child would be delighted to receive such a gift. Goodness, I would be delighted. They’re marvellous, Ludo.”

Bunty squealed as he swept her up, spun her around, and then kissed her soundly.

“You’re marvellous,” he said, and she could see happiness shining in his eyes.

Her heart lurched, knowing she had done that. She kissed him and then pushed him away with a laugh, returning the puzzles she’d made back to their boxes. As she put the last lid back on the box she frowned, tracing her finger over the words, John Cooper’s Dissected Puzzles.

“This was your idea, wasn’t it, Ludo? Your creation?”

Ludo nodded. “Yes.”

“Then why isn’t your name on the box. Who is John Cooper?”

“John is the printer, my business partner. Be reasonable, love. Who in their right mind would buy something for a child created by Lascivious Lord Courtenay?”

He laughed, but she thought there was regret in the sound.

“I suppose so,” she said, not liking the truth of his words. “It’s not fair, though, when it was your idea.”

Rather more than his idea, she suspected.

Ludo moved closer to her and lifted her chin, kissing her. “You know. That’s all I care about. Now come along, my love, and let us get the tedious part of the day over with. I’ve no doubt Middleton will put me in a wretched temper, so I shall leave it to you to cheer me up once we’re done.”

He winked at her to show he didn’t blame her for dragging him to see the man, and Bunty followed him out to find a hackney.

Mr Middleton’s office was every bit as neat and precise as the man himself. He was small of stature, balding, and with a round face which seemed rounder still as he peered owlishly out from behind thick spectacles. He took them off, cleaning the lenses with care, and surreptitiously glancing at Ludo who was pacing the elegant room like a caged lion, tension rolling off his large frame with every move.

“Ludo, do come and sit down,” Bunty said, patting the chair beside her, aware that his prowling was making Mr Middleton nervous.

He folded his arms, scowling, and for a moment Bunty worried he’d balk and tell Middleton to bloody well get on with it. She could see the desire to do so burning in his eyes. She patted the seat again and he sighed, moving to sit beside her with a glower. Bunty reached for his hand and he curled his fingers around hers.

“Thank you for coming, my lord,” Middleton said, replacing his spectacles. “I… I admit I was uncertain you would come but, for once, I believe I can do you some good.”

“You mean unlike that time when you told me my father had cut me out of his will?”

Middleton blanched and Bunty squeezed his hand.

“Mr Middleton was only doing his job, Ludo. It was not his choice.”

Middleton sent her a look of profound gratitude and nodded. “Quite so, my lord. I was sorry to do it, and for any other… er… unpleasantness that has passed through my hands over the years.”

Ludo snorted but said nothing.

“Bearing that in mind, I beg you to remember that your father is my employer and that he strictly forbade me to give you any details of… of the inheritance your mother left you.”

“Inheritance?” Ludo echoed, sounding stunned. “But there was nothing. Father always took great delight in reminding me I had nothing of hers….”

He broke off and Bunty firmed her grip on his hand.

“That was untrue, I regret to say,” Middleton said with a heavy sigh. “Though it would not have been yours until now, until you took a wife. Those were the terms of the will.”