Destitute On His Doorstep by Helen Dickson Read Free Book Online Page A

desperate and desperation should never be underestimated. I am sure you are an exceptional woman in persuading others to do your bidding—but you have no idea what you will be up against.’
    â€˜I’m no weakling who gives in at the first obstacle. Women are more resourceful than men give us credit.’
    â€˜I know many who are on both sides, but such fire and vehemence—you are a veritable tigress, Mistress Lucas.’
    â€˜And you are insufferably rude, Colonel Russell.’
    â€˜But always honest.’
    Jane stepped back, her eyes flashing with the force of her anger and the heat that was beginning to consume her body. ‘Do not mock me, sir. I am serious. I shall not give up on this.’
    â€˜Do as you must, but you will be wasting your time.’ He encountered her hostile gaze and smiled.
    It was a disconcertingly pleasant smile, and the fact that even through a haze of anger and acute physical misery and social embarrassment she could recognise it as such increased Jane’s hostility. ‘We shall see. Ishall do whatever it takes to have you removed from this house.’
    â€˜And fail. Two categories are exempted from applying—those who were the King’s top men, and those who are both Catholics and Royalists. Your father belonged to the latter.’
    â€˜He was not a Catholic.’
    â€˜No, but he was a staunch Royalist. Therefore his estate was confiscated and sold—to me.’
    â€˜Aye, with money plundered from the Royalists, I don’t doubt.’
    His eyes glittered like ice. ‘I am no thief, Mistress Lucas. I have got where I am by my ability to succeed. Right now you are distraught and angry—and rightly so, since I can imagine how you must feel on knowing the place you have called home is no longer that, so I shall ignore what you have said. But know this. The money with which I purchased this house was earned in honest occupation, so please don’t accuse me of being a thief again.’
    Jane stared at him, white and rigid. Something warned her that she dared much with her open disdain. She thought here was a man who revealed nothing of his thoughts and passions, and he ruled himself like steel. Lowering her gaze, she nodded. ‘Of course.’
    â€˜Just one more thing, Mistress Lucas. You say you will travel to London to face the Committee for Compounding.’
    â€˜What of it?’
    â€˜Will you have the money with which to pay the fine? Bilborough is a sizeable estate. Should the Committee consider your application, the sum will be considerable.’
    Jane stared at him. So confident had she been that she would be able to simply walk into Bilborough and carry on as though nothing had happened, she had given no thought to any of this.
    â€˜No,’ he said, taking her silence as assent. ‘I thought not.’ He cocked an eye at her, the light from the leaping flames in the hearth setting strange shadows dancing around them. The lights flickered over his thick hair, outlining his face. He looked down at her. She had allowed her guard to slip a notch, showing her distress. She looked so young, innocent and vulnerable and her pride was hurting, and for some unknown reason he felt a fierce, uncontrollable urge to protect her. A gentle smile touched his lips.
    â€˜So, Mistress Lucas, it would seem you are homeless.’
    She bowed her head. Though her face did not flinch, Jane could feel her anger mingled with her distress simmering inside her, but knowing he was observing her and feeling the indignity of her position, impelled her to raise her head bravely. ‘It would appear so,’ she replied tightly.
    â€˜You have travelled from Northampton, I believe.’ She nodded. ‘Alone?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Then you are more reckless than I thought. Can you not return to Northampton?’
    â€˜No—I cannot do that,’ she replied haltingly, lowering her eyes to hide the painful