Page 20 of Sir Durham’s Disarming Asset

“You do, Zephora. In London, you will be known as yourself. Not my ward. Or my niece. It will become known—though God knows who will venture to tell it—that you came with me from Paris. That we were together all these months—”

“And at first glance, they will see that I am not with child!”

“Zeph.” He tried to make her see reason. “Speculation about our relationship—”

“Will be the scandal of the fall season.” She had sniffed, gotten to her feet, and strolled to the window overlooking his garden. “I won’t accept an old biddy who will restrict me. I did not have anyone in Paris. Even Countess Nugent did not constrain me, and…”

“Yes. You were free.”

She had been so free, she had gotten herself in trouble. True. She had served the cause of defeating Bonaparte and his collaborators, but Vaillancourt, her chief adversary, had thrown her in prison.

Rafe frowned now as the coach he had hired in Brighton rounded the corner toward his townhouse. This was the house his grandfather had purchased, a fine Palladian white-stone front with three more stories atop in red brick. He loved the house. It was sturdily built, warm in winter, with enough windows to be opened to spring and summer winds. If he loved this house, he liked the bigger, more rambling house the family owned up the Thames near Richmond. But Zeph needed to learn London. They could retreat to Richmond now and then, if the bustle of Town irritated her.

But for now, he had to smooth her feathers. “Here in London, Zeph, you will have your freedom. Even with a companion.”

“I doubt it.”

He groaned. “It is a companion or you must go to live with the Ashleys or the Ramseys. Inès is too close to term to have company, and Halsey has enough challenges keeping her from walking her shoes off around Town. You cannot go live with her now. So it is a companion or you leave me.”

He hadn’t meant to mark her choices by uttering those words. To his own ears, they sounded repulsive. As if he gave her up to wolves. When she was his—and should remain with him. Yes, for as long as he could keep her. Even if that sounded domineering.

Even she did not care for the words. She had turned to gaze out the cab window, but he saw how she fought tears.

Hell. He was an idiot to make her cry.

“Very well.” She rallied and skewered him with a look. “I have conditions.”

“Of course you do.” He crossed his arms. He didn’t know whether to praise her for her fortitude or fume at her for her failure to understand the challenges they faced if she remained living with him. To say nothing of how she would drive him mad with her exasperating spirit and her mind-numbing beauty. “List them.”

“I want a young woman within a few years of my own.”

He nodded. Why not? A simple request.

“A lady who fits my needs for a true companion and friend. No prune-faced spinster whose face cracks when she tries to smile.”

“Very well.”

“She will be well bred. Educated.”

“Necessary,” he agreed.

“Perhaps a young lady from a family who cannot afford to present her properly. In other words, she may well be entitled to be among the nobs, but cannot afford to be.”

He did not suppress his smile. “This sounds generous.”

“I will pay her.”

He shot her a look. “That is not necessary, Zeph.”

“It is. I will pay her with my own funds, when we find out where they are and how much they total. You will pay her now, but I will reimburse you the total. Yes! Do not argue with me! This woman is my companion. She will be my friend.”

“You will not persuade her to allow you rash behavior,” he said, worried now that a collaboration with a like-minded girl could lead to catastrophe.

“You said you would take me to meet my father’s solicitor. I imagine I have money. I can spend it as I wish.”

“Perhaps not.”

“What do you mean?” Her golden eyes grew hard, then soft with concern.