“And I never heard of you declaring your love for my sister.”
“That’s because I didn’t.” Michael kept his voice mild. “She asked for my help to access her funds, and I gave it to her.”
“So selfless.”
The sarcasm in Appertan’s voice wearied Michael rather than offended. But Michael wasn’t about to confess his growing feelings for Cecilia to her brother. “You keep veering off track. Her suitors? I need a list.”
“I can’t keep them all straight. But several live nearby and most certainly will come to our monthly dinner.”
“We have a monthly dinner?”
“Wehave a monthly dinner, not you. My guardian visits us—tomorrow, incidentally—and he enjoys the camaraderie of our neighbors. Several local men thought they had a chance with Cecilia, and one or two even proposed.”
“I hear there were six,” Michael said, unable to keep the antipathy from his voice.
Appertan fell back on his elbows to look up at him. “Six? You should feel honored that she settled on you in her desperation.”
Michael gritted his teeth, surprised to find it was difficult to ignore the provocation. “So these suitors will be here soon.”
“Yes. And besides, what will it get them to harm her now, when she’s already married?”
“Revenge?”
“There are other heiresses.”
“None like Cecilia.” Had he actually spoken those words aloud?
He must have, because Appertan gaped at first, then chortled. “You’ve only been here a few days, and already you’re under her thumb. Pathetic.”
Michael ignored him. “What aboutyourfriends? I already know that two of them are men who think nothing of harming women they deem beneath them.”
Appertan’s head sank between his shoulders. “Their behavior was unconscionable—they know it. They’ve learned their lesson.”
He spoke meaningfully, as if the behavior of his friends really did bother him.
“But what motive would they have to harm Cecilia?” Appertan continued.
“She’s spoiling their amusements, after all, controlling your money, restricting their use of the house.”
“She’s not controlling my money, only that of the estate,” Appertan growled, obviously offended.
He would only keep defending his friends, so Michael altered tack. “What about her steward? He works closely with her.”
“And with my father beforehand. Why would he want to deal with me?”
“He’ll have to eventually.” And Appertan would be far easier for an employee to manipulate. “Any close friends besides Miss Webster?”
“Penelope’s sister, Hannah, died last year. She was Cecilia’s closest friend. She wasn’t a strong enough swimmer, and all those clothes women wear ...” He shrugged.
“So you were there for Miss Penelope Webster in her grief.”
Appertan came to his feet with surprising speed. “Are you saying I took advantage of her?”
Michael looked down upon the shorter man. “Strange that you would interpret my words that way.”
“I’m done with this foolishness—I’m done with you. You can leave now.”
“And I don’t receive any thanks for improving your head and stomach this morn?”
