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forced to discipline me, he was harsh. As soon as I inherited my father’s estate I left Hartingdon and have visited very seldom since—and yet…’
    Roxanne sensed his hesitation. ‘You are troubled over something?’
    â€˜Hartingdon is an old man. He fell down in some kind of faint while I was visiting there recently and—to be honest, it distressed me. Had you asked me a week ago if I cared a damn what happened to him, I should have said no but now…’ Luke shook his head and laughed ruefully. ‘I am a fool. His health changes nothing. And if he makes that popinjay Harte his heir…it is not my affair.’
    â€˜Why would he disown you?’ Her clear eyes disconcerted him and he dropped his gaze.
    â€˜He wishes me to marry a suitable young lady, someone with good manners who will not disgrace the family.’
    â€˜Why should he imagine you would marry anyone other than a respectable girl?’
    â€˜Because he has been told that I have a string of mistresses and it is true that I have found pleasure in the arms of whores. I have found them kinder and more generous than young ladies of my acquaintance.’ He frowned. ‘I dare say it was my fault that he was ill.’
    â€˜You are blaming yourself, are you not?’
    â€˜Yes. I thought he was going to die. It shocked me and I realised I did not wish for it.’
    â€˜You care for him,’ Roxanne said and nodded, looking at him curiously. ‘Why do you not do as he asks and marry a suitable girl?’
    â€˜Because the only ones I know bore me to tears. I would make him happy if I could, for I believe he may not have long to live—but to marry a woman I could not love is a life sentence. Even for his sake I could not do such a thing.’
    â€˜No? I thought men of your class often married for land or money?’
    â€˜If one is in difficulty…’ Luke glared at her. ‘My father was forever having affairs. He broke my mother’s heart. As a consequence they quarrelled and…the chaise he was driving went off the road into a ditch filled with water and they were both killed. I was thrown clear and survived. The last thing I rememberof that day was my mother screaming at him, crying because he had broken yet another promise. I would not wish to make any woman that miserable.’
    â€˜How terrible for you. I think I understand why you feel as you do.’ Roxanne frowned. ‘If the earl does not have long, could you not let him believe you mean to marry and then…?’
    â€˜Break it off?’ Luke raised his brows. ‘I should be a fine rogue to dash a young lady’s hopes, should I not? Society would throw me out and I should deserve it.’
    â€˜Yes, it was a foolish idea, though if she knew and it was a business arrangement it might be possible,’ Roxanne said and then changed the subject hurriedly because she had been outspoken. ‘I have asked for my supper to be brought here. Did you want something, sir?’
    Luke was staring at her. He looked as if he had been struck by lightning. ‘What did you say—a business arrangement? What exactly did you mean?’
    â€˜It was mere foolishness.’ Roxanne’s cheeks burned. ‘I meant nothing—did you want something of me, sir?’
    â€˜I’m not sure,’ he said and looked thoughtful. ‘I came to ask if you would dine with me down in the parlour, but perhaps I shall have my meal brought up to my room, too. You have given me food of another kind, Miss Roxanne—something to chew on for a day or two until I am certain of my own mind.’
    Now what did he mean by that? Roxanne would have asked, but her supper arrived and Luke walked away with a nod of the head.

Chapter Three
    T he sun shone through the small leaded window the next morning, bringing Roxanne from her bed with new energy. She had been up for some minutes when the innkeeper’s wife