Free The spinster and the wastrel by Louise Bergin

disbelieve that," he protested. "Every young girl must dream of making a shining debut in London."
    Shrugging, Annette picked up a roll and buttered it. "Perhaps, if I had had a debut as a young girl, I would think differently." At the interest she saw on his face, she continued, "My father was the vicar here before the Reverend Brown. My mother was not very strong, so I discharged many of the duties regarding the poor in the parish."
    "Including weaning money from my uncle."
    She glanced cautiously at him, but the ghost of a smile curving his lips made her smile in response. "Most definitely including getting money from Sir Nigel. There is great need around here, especially with the rise in prices and the harsh winter." She shivered at the memory of the drafts in her own home. Disregarding the tempting food before her, she leaned towards him to convince him of her sincerity. "I know I have the fortune, and I can use it to ed-

    ucate the children. It will help them in the future, but you must take care of the estate's needs now."
    He stiffened, and she recognized the wary look on his face. It reminded her of his uncle whenever she met him.
    "Where do you think the money for the estate will come from?" he asked.
    Puzzled, she blinked at him. "Why, from your own funds I would expect. And the estate will continue to produce an income."
    "You already have this quarter's rents," he reminded her.
    "Yes, but the end of March is only two months away."
    His fork pushed a piece of ham around the rim of his plate. "If the need is so great, perhaps you should return my inheritance to me now, or even a portion of it, instead of forcing me to wait the two months."
    Disappointed, she sank back against her chair. "I am not forcing you to wait for anything. It is the people under your care whom I am concerned about."
    He stabbed at a piece of ham with his fork. "You have a big heart for everyone in need, don't you, Miss Courtney?"
    "I try to," she replied.
    "Perhaps I need the money more than they do." His brown eyes looked straight into hers. For an instant, she almost believed she saw desperation in their depths.
    Then she gave herself a little shake, breaking the momentary bond between them. He certainly had the skill to charm her into believing what he wanted. Yet he acted like a miser, just like his uncle, unwilling to spend a shilling on those in desperate need. Obviously he had money. She had only to look at his elegant, and very stylish, coat, and the gold watch chain dangling from his waistcoat pocket. A

    signet ring adorned one finger. Back in his stables, she remembered, waited that magnificent gray stallion she had seen him riding. If she gave him the fortune, she doubted he would spend it as wisely as she would.
    She laughed lightly. "If you were truly in need, perhaps I would help you."
    The beginning bars of a dance melody sounded as the musicians reminded the company the supper was over. An immediate bustle filled the room as people pushed back their chairs.
    "I will hold you to that." Sir Gerard stood and prepared to escort her back to the ballroom floor. Her time with him was over. Pasting a smile on her face, she joined him.
    Soon the dance whirl caught her in its grip again. Somehow, even as she danced and laughed with her partners, she could not forget that glimpse of desperation she thought she had read in Sir Gerard's eyes.
    Her gaze kept straying to the baronet. Sir Gerard was not a man who should appeal to her, yet she could not ignore him. Too frivolous claimed his reputation, but it occurred to her that all stories she had heard about him came from Sir Nigel. She spotted him looking at her and glanced away quickly. Soon though, she looked at him again.
    She noticed the baronet had not disappeared into the card room throughout the entire evening. Certainly a man given to a life of dissipation could not so completely ignore the temptation. The contrast disturbed her because she was unable to pigeonhole him.