Page 43 of Almost a Countess

“No one grand, I think. Ididn’t know the name when he told me. Sir Harry Walters ofCambridgeshire.” Her aunt shook her head. “Do you know him, LordTrevor? Lord Aberfoyle?”

Dora had avoided looking at Finnduring this ordeal, but now she did meet his eyes. She fancied thepain in her eyes was reflected in his.

Why couldn’t they have had the chanceto court properly, then for Finn to finally apply to her father?Even if he wished to ask for her now, it would not be too late,except Finn could not ask for her hand while he was an escapedprisoner. By the time his troubles were straightened out, herfather would have her married off if he could have his way. Well,he would not succeed. According to the law, she had to consent tothe marriage, and she simply would not do it.

“I dinna ken the name,Duchess.” Finn spoke calmly, though his body was strung tight as anarcher’s bow.

“I know Sir Harry.” Triscrossed his arms over his chest, his face drawn. “He’s not a badman. A middle-aged widower with two children. A steady, capableman. No vices other than smoking a pipe or two and enjoying a drinkonce in a while.” Tris shrugged. “I’m not sure what your fatherwants from him, other than for him to take Dora so he can wash hishands of her.”

“He can wash his hands ofme without saddling me with such a husband.” Dora’s stomach roiledat the thought of marrying some stranger. “You can tell him, AuntMimi, or I will simply write and inform him that under nocircumstances will I marry that man.”

“I told him you wouldrefuse to cooperate, my dear.” Her aunt patted her hands. At leastshe seemed to be on her side and not Father’s. “He seemed to thinkthe threat of being turned out into the hedgerows was enough tobring you in line.”

“Well, it isn’t.” Dora metFinn’s gaze, a thoughtful if peculiar look on his face. “I will notbe bullied by that man again. It’s not as though I have nowhere togo.” She was certain she’d be welcome in Tris and Violet’s homeuntil she reached her majority and inherited her fortune. Or untilshe married.

“Mo ghràidh.” Finnreached across and took her hand, startling Dora greatly. That oddlook was still on his face. “I think ’tis time we made yer auntprivy tae our little secret.”

Finn’s voice sent a shock through her.What on earth was he talking about?

Tris and Violet exchanged a knowingglance.

Did he wish to tell Aunt Mimi thathe’d spent the night here without a chaperone? Or that he’d kissedher out at the folly? Her aunt’s reaction to that revelation mightbe better than Tris’s. At any rate, their indiscretion would makeit impossible for her to wed Sir Harry. “Yes, I suppose it is best,Finn.”

Finn straightened in his chair butkept tight hold of her hand. “Duchess, when Lord Trevor introducedme as Lord Aberfoyle and his friend, he dinna give ye the mostpertinent information about me.”

Terrified, Dora squeezed his hand hardenough to turn it to jelly. The fool was going to tell her he wasan escaped prisoner, a fugitive from the law. How in God’s name didhe think that was going to help her at all?

“He did not?” Aunt Mimifrowned at Finn then at Tris. “Well, what did he omit?”

Finn looked at Dora and smileddevilishly. “The fact that I am Dora’s husband. And as she is mywife, she canna marry anyone else.”

****

“Finn!”

“Aberfoyle! What thedeuce—”

“Dora, what is hesaying?”

“But, Dora, is thistrue?”

The pandemonium that erupted was loudand long-lived. Finn decided to wait until most of those presenthad calmed down before addressing his statement, which he wasactually beginning to regret.

“Finn!” Dora’s eyes hadgrown wide and round as the moon. “Why did you say that?” shewhispered under the cover of the others shrieking aroundthem.

“It seemed like the bestidea at the moment.” He stared into her eyes. “Trust me and followmy lead.”

“Aberfoyle, by God, whathave you done?” Trevor had shot to his feet and looked ready tojerk Finn to him so he could pummel him. He needed to appease theman and persuade him to play along with his subterfuge aswell.

“If ye’ll give me a chancetae explain, Trevor, I think ye willna feel the need tae call meout.” He tried, probably unsuccessfully, to send the man the samemessage he’d given Dora. Since he’d done it with his eyes alone, hedoubted it had gotten through.

“Dora, why did you nottell me?” Lady Trevor seemed the only one not bent on terrorizinghim.

“It was rather sudden,Violet.” Dora hung her head. Good girl. She was playing along. “Wedecided to keep it from everyone, so I was sworn tosecrecy.”

The boom, boom of theduchess’s cane on the floor caught everyone’s attention. One byone, they all went silent and turned to look at her. “If I mustbreak heads in order to be heard, I have no compunction.” Sheglared at Finn in particular. “Doubt it at your peril.”

“I would never mistrustyer word, Duchess.” Finn bowed to the older woman. If they couldconvince her of their marriage, they might buy themselves some timeto free Dora from the blasted betrothal her father was trying tosaddle her with.