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control of the vast Appertan properties, but he was content to allow Oliver—and hence Cecilia—to oversee its management, as long as he received regular reports. But he held the purse strings tightly, something Oliver hadn’t counted on. She couldn’t explain that she’d been acting in Oliver’s place to her own guardian, so conservative he would have surely contacted Lord Doddridge and ruined everything. She needed access to her own money, another reason to marry a man who would allow her that control.
    As if reading her thoughts, Lord Blackthorne said, “I assume you needed your funds because your brother is quick to spend his own on pleasure rather than the estates?”
    â€œYou don’t know what his life has been like,” she said in a low voice.
    â€œRegardless, in your opinion, Appertan cannot deal with his own estates, and you do not trust a man of business to do it for you. Does Appertan have any responsibilities at all?”
    She leaned toward him, hands braced on the table. “Our father died, and Oliver has suffered with his grief.”
    â€œAll while you managed more than your own duties—along with your grief.”
    â€œHe is my responsibility, my lord. I gave my promise to my parents that I would see him well. Surely, having a younger brother, you understand that.”
    â€œI do. But you do him no favors in this, madam. You need to rethink his future, and your own.”
    â€œAre you threatening me, Lord Blackthorne?” She was proud of her soft, dignified voice.
    â€œWhy would I threaten you?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “I offer my advice as an objective person outside the family.”
    â€œObjective? For right now, you’re my husband. I’m not sure how objective you can be.” Now that he’d seen the impressive castle that was her country home, perhaps he was beginning to realize how much money he’d given up by allowing her her freedom. “Please tell me the truth—why did you marry me? You say you honored my father, but that cannot be the sum of it since you renounced the money I might have brought you. You’re a viscount—you could find a perfectly lovely wife all by yourself.”
    â€œI’m a career soldier, Lady Blackthorne. Until this point, my regiment has been my mistress and wife. I only planned to marry under my own terms, for I needed no heirs, since my brother is perfectly adequate for that task. In that regard, you and I are well matched since you seem too busy to want children, should we not be blessed.”
    She blanched, for she never let herself think about children. And she didn’t want him thinking about the creating of children.
    â€œI believe, in marriage, we suit each other’s purposes. You need access to your money . . .” His voice faded as he frowned.
    â€œAnd you, my lord?” she whispered. “What do you need?”
    He hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. “I thought I needed to help the children of my commander. I tried to write to you about how much he meant to me, but words are not often my forte. But there was something in your letters, my lady, that called to me in a way I’d never imagined.”
    She found herself barely breathing, staring at him, but he did not continue with the words that flattered even as they confused her.
    He rose slowly to his feet, reaching for the cane hooked in the arm of his chair even as he cleared his throat. “As for your brother, Lady Blackthorne, I had to express my concerns.”
    â€œThen I hope you can be objective, my lord.” She paused, realizing she could not make a grand exit—he could simply follow her right to their rooms. Modulating her voice, she said, “I know the evening is still young. I will be reading in the drawing room if you wish to join me.”
    â€œI thank you for the invitation, but I am fatigued from the journey. I’ll retire for the