Free The Contraband Courtship (The Arlingbys Book 2) by Alicia Quigley Page B

that,” said Malcolm. “Perhaps I can even provide employment for some men in the village. I will speak to my bailiff immediately. Is there aught else I can do to assist you?”
    Helena gave him a considering look. “How long do you intend to stay at Wroxton, my lord?”
    “Why? Is there something you want done that will take a great deal of effort?”
    “We will not truly be rid of them until we find out who is in charge,” said Helena hesitantly. “They are so many, and so very organized I think someone with an estate hereabouts may be conspiring with them. It must be a great temptation, after all. There is a great deal of money to be made by smuggling in goods from France.”
    “So you think to cut the head off the snake, do you?”
    “It would be best if we could. After all, it does little good to post guards if they will simply land a few miles up the coast or bribe someone to let them use another beach.”
    “You are very ambitious, Miss Keighley.”
    “I cannot do it without your help,” she replied. “Wroxton is the largest estate in the area, and the earl is the natural leader for any such effort. My family has long been looked to, but Arthur is so young, and my father was ill before he died and could not help. I am well known and even respected, but no one will take orders from a woman.”
    “You surprise me. I certainly would—at least, if the woman was you.”
    She peeked up at him; his expression was quite serious, but he saw a hint of humor in his eyes.
    “You are teasing me.”
    “Not at all,” he replied. “I have no doubt it is my best course to follow your lead in this matter.”
    “I suppose you think I am very forward in making such a request,” she said quietly.
    “I can’t imagine why I should. You appear to be a very intelligent person, which is all that matters to me. My sister, who you know quite well, is not one to follow a man’s lead, and yet I have the greatest respect for, not to mention a quite lively fear, of her.”
    “Oh, yes, Rowena. But she has been very lucky and found a husband who finds that sort of behavior charming.”
    “Well, he certainly finds something about her charming, I’ll give you that.”
    Helena flushed slightly and looked away.
    “I did not mean to offend you, Miss Keighley,” said Malcolm gently.
    “I am not offended,” she replied. “It is just—well, it does not matter. I am glad you are willing to listen to me, and if Rowena is responsible for that, I thank her.”
    “Some of it is her influence, of course, but the life I’ve led has not made me likely to trust anyone at all. I’ve found that men and women can be equally intelligent—and equally dangerous.”
    “I had not thought of that,” she murmured. “I suppose I must seem very ignorant to you, having always lived here at Keighley Manor and experienced so little of the world.”
    He laughed softly. “I wouldn’t wish my past on anyone, and you have had your share of troubles too.”
    She gave him a sharp look.
    “Don’t be annoyed. I meant the smugglers,” he said gently.
    “Oh, yes, of course. The smugglers.” Helena blinked, having completely forgotten them herself.
    “So, we are now back to how we should set about identifying their leader,” mused Malcolm. “I’m not sure I will be much better at that than fighting them off singlehandedly. What a pity you do not want me to cheat them at cards; I could do that quite easily.”
    “Do you cheat at cards?” she asked, diverted.
    “Only when necessary,” he promised. “It is not something I have done since returning to England.”
    “Will you show me how sometime?”
    He laughed. “If you wish. Do you have someone you would like to fleece at the tables?”
    “I’ve never gambled in my life but I can certainly think of at least one person I would like to take for all I could and it does sound rather fascinating.”
    “Only when you’re not trying to make your living at it,” he assured her.
    “I suppose