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“What does that mean?” Thomas asked her. “Why wouldn’t it be a big event because it’s you?”

She blushed. “Well, only because I’m not well known,” she said. “And those whodoknow me are only aware of me because of my brother’s reputation.”

“I want you to listen to me, Valeria,” Lady Earlington said firmly. “None of those things matter now. You’re to put them behind you. You’re moving forward with your life.”

“Do you really think so?” Lady Valeria asked.

“Oh, yes,” Lady Earlington said, smiling fondly at her niece. “This is the beginning of a whole new chapter for you, Valeria, just you wait and see.”

She hurried off to tend to some of her guests, leaving Lady Valeria and Thomas alone again.

Lady Valeria looked up at Thomas. “Do you think she’s right?” she asked. “Is this the beginning of a new chapter for the two of us?”

“I think so,” Thomas said quietly, gazing down at her. “I think we could be on the verge of something very exciting, Lady Valeria. Something life-changing.”

She inhaled sharply, and Thomas felt the sudden urge to bend and kiss her.

I mustn’t.

He knew he couldn’t. Not right in front of all these guests. It would be scandalous. And what was more, they had agreed that this courtship would be slow.

But suddenly, he was thinking of a future. Of marriage. And he wondered how much longer he would be able to resist.

To deflect his thoughts, he took her in his arms again and led her back out onto the dance floor. At least here they were able to be in one another’s arms. They were able to be close.

They fell back into the rhythm of the dance, and he forgot everything except how fond he was growing of Lady Valeria, and how grateful he was to be here with her.

Chapter 21

“Mr. Crowle, sir? Mr. Benson is here to see you.”

Simon Crowle looked up from his ledger and pulled his ragged overcoat a little more tightly around his stocky frame. He would need to replace this old coat soon. It was tattered and worn, and he deserved something a little bit nicer. But he would have to wait until the money was there, and the money was never reliable.

The life of a debt collector wasn’t easy.

He closed the ledger and put it away. Mr. Benson would have no need to see the state of his books. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out a bottle of Scotch and two glasses and placed them on his desk. “Very well,” he said to his associate. “Show him in.”

His associate withdrew, and a moment later, a wiry, straw-haired man entered with his hat in his hand. Mr. Benson looked as nervous as a rabbit, as though he might flee at any moment.

Simon grinned. He couldn’t help himself. He liked it when visitors to his office showed their nerves. He liked knowing that they were afraid of him. They were right to be.

“Sit down,” he said to Mr. Benson.

Mr. Benson took the chair, perching on the very edge of the seat, clearly afraid to relax. “Good-good day to you, Mr. Crowle.”

“I certainly hope it is a good day,” Simon said. “As you know, you owe a considerable sum of money to my client. He has been generous—exceedingly patient—about giving you time to repay your debt. But his patience has now run out. You will have to repay the sum that is owed.”

“But I—I haven’t got the money,” Mr. Benson stammered. “Please, if I could just have a few more days—perhaps a week—”

“You have had two weeks already,” Simon said. “We have been very generous. You know, don’t you, Mr. Benson, that I don’t receive payment until your debt is repaid? I am not inclined to be forgiving much longer.”

He plucked absently at the sleeve of his overcoat. If only Mr. Benson would settle his debt, Simon would be able to afford a new coat. Simon couldn’t abide irresponsible people who didn’t pay their debts.

“Really,” Mr. Benson said anxiously, “I would pay if I had it. I would.”

“Well, what do you have?” Simon asked.

Mr. Benson fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a bit of money.