An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(7)

“My condolences, Miss Dalton,” Lord Maitland said softly against her ear. “You’ll need to be braver than ever now.”

She looked up into his face, trying to see his expression in the fading light. “I can’t let Mama hear of Mr. Small’s accusation.”

He shook his head as a sudden breeze blew his dark hair into his eyes, which by day she knew seemed lightened by wisps of gold, most likely made by years of exposure to the sun and sea. “Keeping the gossip from your mother will be impossible.”

“It’s not true! Father loved us. He would never willingly leave us without his protection.” A tight band of tension closed around her ribs, leaving her almost breathless.

Maitland glanced back at the house, a concerned expression in his eyes as he set her down. “Had he had any problems in his life?”

“No, none,” she insisted. “Father was a shrewd and respected businessman. Very much liked.”

“It is possible to be shrewd, respected and liked, and deeply in debt just the same,” Maitland suggested.

“We had no money problems.” Theodora glanced at her fingers, attempted to scrub some of the soot from them as she considered the truth. “Not before the fire. My father distrusted banks so much that he kept his money close and at home. That was why he was so particular about flames. He knew the risks of carelessness as much as we did. We are destitute now because the fire destroyed everything we had saved.”

Maitland gaped at her in shock. “No.”

“Everything is gone,” her mother announced in a small voice as she joined Theodora and Lord Maitland.

“I’m afraid so, Mama.” Theodora quickly embraced her mother and held her tight.

They were both aware of her father’s distrust of financiers, and solicitors particularly. They’d discussed it, argued about it with him, but he’d never made any better arrangements. They were always uncovering pound notes tucked away in books in his library.

Now, everything that made them wealthy had been inside that burning house.

She released her mother, beaten down by helplessness, raw and with no sense of what to do next. For the first time in her life, she had no one to turn to for advice. She was responsible for herself, and for her poor mother, too.

She glanced around, noted the women who’d stood by her mother earlier had withdrawn to whisper among themselves at a distance. Given the way Mother bowed her head, she must have already heard Small’s claim that Father had taken his life.

They were already made outcasts because of a liar’s dying words.

Theodora put her arm around her mother’s shoulders again and squeezed. She addressed Lord Maitland, determined to put on a brave face. “Thank you for your assistance tonight, Lord Maitland. And please thank your friend, too. If you would be so good as to convey our respects to everyone who helped to put out the fire, we would both be very grateful.”

He nodded and glanced around at the crowd that kept whispering. His brow furrowed in consternation, and then he scowled. “I’ll have a carriage brought out. Where shall I tell them to take you?”

Theodora exchanged a worried glance with her mother. They were bound for anywhere that would take them in. Anywhere people did not expect to see proof they had funds to pay for accommodation, or anything else. At the moment, she had no idea where such a haven might be. They’d have to live on credit now, something she personally abhorred. Theodora smiled to hide her anxiety. “That is not necessary. We can make our own way.”

“I’m not leaving him,” her mother gasped, as she faced their smoldering home.

Lord Maitland gently turned her mother away from the ruins of their life. “Mrs. Dalton, perhaps you would accept an offer of temporary lodgings, at least for today. From my home, you can oversee the collection of any of your property they recover.”

“That is very kind of you,” Mother replied, nodding slowly.

“It is the least I can do as a gentleman,” he murmured kindly.

Maitland turned to Theodora. “Convince her to go in. My housekeeper is a compassionate woman who will look after you both. Ask for anything. Tea and food if you can stomach it. Clothing, too.”

Theodora glanced down, suddenly awkward. They stood about in only their nightgowns, and her mother wore a shawl, but Theodora was still wearing Lord Maitland’s coat. They undoubtedly needed his charity, but accepting a stranger’s help for life’s little necessities stung.

She’d been gossiped about before, and had hated it then, too.

She would clear Father’s name.

For now, she had no other option but to accept Lord Maitland’s kind offer of sanctuary. “We are grateful for your assistance, my lord,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

He moved to her side, looking down at her with pity. “I understand only too well how you feel at such a time, Miss Dalton. I, too, have been left behind by a loved one without understanding why. Go in, and leave me to sort this out for you both.”

“My father is in there,” Theodora reminded him.

He looked over both women’s attire pointedly. “Your mother needs you more.”





Chapter 3





Quinn’s heart stayed with the Dalton women as they headed inside and he turned to survey the destruction of their home. A death by suicide left one floundering, unable to fathom the sudden absence. He’d felt the same when his sister had died, but had been protected from gossip on the family estate. But death by suicide in London was another matter entirely. It would not be an easy matter to cover it up. Even the suspicion of suicide would bring shame upon the Dalton women, and the word was spreading quickly already, thanks to Mr. Small’s dying words.