Page 51 of Desperately Seeking Seduction

“Oh, yes, but that doesn’t matter now,” he nodded and released her to get to his feet.

Win caught his fingers, and he helped her up from the floor. “I should have recognized you. You haven’t changed at all.”

Stratford grinned. “Do you remember that day we escaped together? Snuck out in the early morning before even the servants rose and ran as far and as fast as we could?”

“Actually, I had been trying to sneak away from you before you woke up that morning. You teased me about being too slow to dodge you.”

“And you were too haughty to even come swimming with me,” he complained. “Wouldn’t even get your feet wet.”

“If I had removed my clothes, you would have immediately detected the difference between us and told everyone.”

Stratford threw a slightly embarrassed smile her way and then shrugged. “Well, obviously it makes more sense now that I know you were female, but I refuse to believe I would have tattled.” Win’s life had been one endless nightmare, but a new day was dawning for them both. “It’s good to talk to you again, Edwin.”

She gulped. “It’s has been good, Rotted Fretsaws.”

“Oh, you had to remember that!” he complained and then hugged her tightly when she laughed. “You must stay with me. I don’t want him finding you alone on the long drive or on the road to the nearest town. I can protect you from him. There’s no reason to fear him anymore.”

Winston looked up at him with huge eyes that slowly softened. “All right, I’ll stay, but only as your valet until Cuthbert comes.”

“You still argue like that boy. I could never convince you to do anything.” He grinned then. “Hide this in the closet. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have to tell my brothers the painting is lost.”

He gave Win a quick kiss of farewell and headed for the door.

As he walked down the hall, he realized he liked Win, much more than he’d ever liked anyone else. She challenged him in ways he hadn’t been ready for in the beginning. But he’d recovered from all those shocks to the point where he looked forward to what might happen next. She was bossy, but he enjoyed frustrating her. And Win could not hope to avoid discovery forever. One day, she might have to consider packing away her breeches, and when she did, he’d be there to support her decision.

He made his way downstairs and along to the duke’s study.

He quietly slipped into the room and closed the door behind him before looking around. All the family, the ones who mattered, were gathered together around the duke’s desk again. The ledgers open wide.

Crawford was there too, bent over them, studying the figures.

He slowed his steps, surprised to see him. “What’s to do?”

“I took your advice and invited Crawford to join us today.”

“The second invitation from you I would rather not have accepted,” he murmured quietly.

“At least now your bride will understand our long faces are for a good reason,” the duke answered.

Amity Crawford was perched by the fire. “I do apologize if my curiosity has caused additional concern.”

“It is of no matter now, cousin,” Algernon promised. “You would have learned of the problem before the season started and you became my hostess in London.”

“Yes, that is information I would have needed,” she said, smiling quickly at the duke. “I shall have to be even more discerning when deciding upon my guest lists than I initially expected to be.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Algernon replied. “Now, since everyone is here. Aston has made it quite clear he requires an immediate payment of all outstanding debts.”

They all swore.

“But Stratford was telling me earlier today about a painting he did of Edwin Aston as a boy. I mentioned it to Aston, and he showed great interest in seeing it. I was thinking of gifting it to him anyway, with Stratford’s permission, of course.” Algernon’s gaze flickered in Stratford’s direction. “Have you found it?”

Put on the spot, Stratford shuffled his feet. “Unfortunately not. Are you sure giving him the painting will help?”

“Yes, but do you now think it won’t?”