"Does it gall you to look at it?"

"What do you think?"

He pulled inside and leaned against the wall, his boots crossed at the ankle. "It's supposed to storm tonight, and since you've removed the boards from the-"

"Georgina did that. She claimed it would make the room brighter, but nothing could fix this hovel."

"The rain will drift right in. You'll be soaked."

She glared at him, her temper flaring. "Are you trying to be funny?"

"No. I'm merely stating the facts. How miserable are you?"

"I am so miserable that I'd like to wring Mr. Drummond's neck."

"I find it interesting that you never blame your brother for any of this mess."

"Oh, I blame him. I blame them both."

"How is Mr. Bean?" Kit was fully aware she'd been jilted. "Any news?"

She tightly nodded. "I've heard from him."

"And...?"

Her shoulders slumped, and she started fiddling with some clothes on her bed as if she might fold them or put them into a moldy drawer in the dresser.

"He's crying off," she murmured, then she fiercely added, "and don't you dare gloat."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"It must be amusing for you to watch me wallowing in this ghastly situation."

"It's not."

He dipped in, and kissed her before she had a chance to realize he would. To his great surprise, she didn't complain. She simply gazed up at him, looking young and lost and forlorn.

"What will happen to me?" she asked.

"I spoke to Damian a bit ago. Today is Wednesday, and he'll let you stay Thursday and Friday. Then on Saturday, you'll have to go."

"Go where?"

"He suggested the rectory in the village."

"We'd live with the vicar and his wife? How absurd."

"It's a solution."

"A temporary one. The vicar's wife is a shrew. Within a week, she'd be loudly hinting that some of the parishioners should relieve her of the burden our arrival imposed."

"Probably."

"So why would Mr. Drummond recommend something so patently ridiculous?"

"It's where Damian and his grandfather went when they were kicked out."

"I am sick of hearing about poor Mr. Drummond and how unfair his life was when he was a boy."

She shoved Kit away and walked to the window to stare outside. He came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close so his front was pressed to her back all the way down. She stiffened, then relaxed, as if she was too weary to shove him away again.

"My offer still stands," he whispered in her ear.

"What offer is that? Your salacious, insulting one?"

"Yes, although with your current predicament, why would you deem it to be insulting? You're drowning, and I'm throwing you a rope."

"What if I refuse to grab it?"

"The waves will suck you under. There aren't any other fellows waiting in line to rescue you. You ought to be more grateful."

She snorted and whirled around. "I told my mother about you."

"What was her response?"

"She said you're a fiend and a bounder, and we should summon the law and have you carted away in chains."

"On what charge? Hurting a lady's feelings?"

She scowled. "This is all a big joke to you, isn't it? My family's ruination? My being jilted? You think it's hilarious."

"No, I don't. I view it as a moment of opportunity. Damian has asked me to remain and run the property for him. I won't be the owner, but I'll have all the authority, plus an excellent salary to boot. What will you have?"

"Nothing-as you're well aware."

"Then perhaps you should climb down off your high horse and be nicer to me."

"Because you can help me?"

"Yes."

"But for a price, Mr. Roxbury, and it's a price I can't pay."

"Why can't you?"

She shook her head with disgust. "What world do you come from? It's impossible for a woman of my station to behave so reprehensibly. If the men in the neighborhood found out, I'd be tarred and feathered and chased out of town by an angry mob."

"I wouldn't tell anybody. Would you?"

"Kirkwood is a small place and an illicit affair is not the sort of secret that can be kept. In two seconds flat, every servant in the manor would discover what was occurring. The tale would spread like wildfire."

"I suppose, but if you don't ally yourself with me, what is your option?"

"I have one in the works."

"What is it?"

"Your dear chum, Mr. Drummond, made the same type of proposal to Georgina. She's agreed to sacrifice herself so I don't have to."

Kit frowned. He hadn't heard this story from Damian, and he was disturbed by it. Was Damian planning to lift Miss Fogarty's skirt? Would he deflower her so Miss and Mrs. Marshall could stay at Kirkwood?

It was too implausible, and he scoffed. "If he told Miss Fogarty she could save you, he was lying."

"He wasn't lying. They've discussed terms."

"Damian would never trifle with an innocent."

"Has he suddenly become decent and gallant?" she sneered.

"No, but he simply never bothers with chaste women. He likes doxies so if he mentioned any kind of arrangement to Miss Fogarty, you'd better warn her to watch out. He never keeps his promises." He swooped in and stole another kiss. "So...you're in the same floundering boat you've been in since I arrived at Kirkwood."

"And you've done naught to assist me. You haven't even talked to Mr. Drummond on my behalf."

"He hates you too much. It would be a wasted effort."

"Mr. Roxbury...Kit..." She rested a palm on his chest. "Tell me what to do."

"Ally yourself with me, and you'll be fine."

"Would you...consider marrying me?"

It was on the tip of his tongue to say he would, but he understood how much it would upset Damian. "No. I've extended the sole offer I ever will."

He drew her to him and kissed her again. This time, he didn't hold back, didn't limit himself to a quick peck on the lips. He captured hers in a torrid embrace. His cock was hard as stone, and he pressed himself into her, letting her feel how a man grew aroused, how his body indicated pleasure and passionate hunger.

She surprised him by joining in as if they'd been lovers forever, and very soon he was out onto a ledge where he shouldn't go. He was desperate to toss her onto the lumpy, tattered bed, to take the only thing she had of any value.

But he wouldn't force the issue. She had to come to him. She had to initiate the encounter. It had to be her choice, her instigation. Otherwise she'd always blame him, would claim he'd coerced her.

When he couldn't restrain himself another second, he pulled away, and she actually reached out as if she yearned to keep him near.

"Why did you stop?" she asked.

"I detest this decrepit house and all it represents. I won't stand around kissing you as if I'm glad you're living here."

"It's Mr. Drummond's fault that I am."

"No, it's your brother's fault. Damian simply pounced at the right moment and seized what your brother didn't cherish."

He walked to the door, and she looked incredibly dismayed.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. This room is filthy, and I can't abide it."

"You think I can?"

"I'm not sure. I've given you the perfect opportunity to escape, but you don't seem in any hurry to flee."

"Why won't you listen to me? You're demanding a price that's more than I can pay!"

He ignored the comment. "I have chores to complete this afternoon, but I don't have any plans after supper. I'm free all night."

"Meaning what?"

"I've moved into your old bedchamber."

"I'd tell you I'm offended by the news, but I suppose it would be pointless to mention it."

"Yes, it would be. I trust you remember where it's located?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Sneak over any time after nine."

"To do what?"

His lazy gaze roamed down her shapely torso. "Spend a few hours with me, and your problems will be solved."

"My mother would kill me."

"You mother doesn't have to ever know."

He strolled out, whistling as he ambled back to the manor.

Would she show up? He figured it was fifty-fifty either way, but if he hadn't lured her over on this occasion, he'd have plenty of other chances in the future. The next two days would pass rapidly. Once she was packing her bag, once guards were herding her out to the road, she'd likely have a very different opinion.

Damian at 13...

I'll take that bag of coins, boy."