Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (63 page)

Seventeen

did you do in Manchester?' Brandon

later as

they lay in his big bed cuddled together and drowsily sated. His hand rested on the curve of her hip, his thumb the flat

of her belly.

'You know what I did.' Nora sighed. She had he

wouldn't let it go, that he would ask.

'I want to hear it from you.'

'I pawned the necklace and took the money to the apothecary for Mary

medicines. Then I arranged for a doctor to visit her. I stopped in to see her and gave her the rest of the money.'

'That should have been a pretty penny. The necklace was worth a few hundred pounds.'

'It probably was, but pawnbrokers won't pay full price, although I am sure the broker was happy to charge Witherspoon full price for it. The shop was not one I usually use and I find that particular broker less than trustworthy. Witherspoon must have paid him a nice bonus for showing him the ticket too.

Those tickets are supposed to be confidential.'

'How is Mary?' Brandon changed direction.

'Worse. I fear she is beyond medicine. She needs a

Scott

nent change. Consumption and lung diseases are the bane of the industrial

class

Brandon nodded. She knew what was coming next. 'Nora, you could have asked me for the money. You didn't need to risk yourself. I would have given you the funds.'

'No.'

'Why not?'

'You cannot pretend The Cat doesn't exist, Brandon, that you can turn me into a philanthropic Countess overnight. Those people need The Cat. They need what she brings, but they also need what she stands for. It gives them hope that someone is watching out for them, that they are valued. Can you understand that, Brandon?'

'Yes, but there is a better way, Nora, a legitimate way. You know The

days are numbered. Once we are married-

?

Nora sat up so quickly the sheet slipped down to her hips.

'Married? We have not reached that conclusion yet, Brandon, and after today, we cannot even think it.'

It was Brandon's turn to sit up. 'What else is there for us to do? Devil take it, Nora, you just agreed to Mrs Bradley hosting our betrothal ball. I assumed when you accepted her offer you were signalling your acceptance of our relationship as well. My protection is limited as long as we remain unwed. You were the one who put the

gambit in motion-you have

to see it through, Nora.'

'I only accepted the invitation because it seemed awkward not to. When are you going to realise you don't want to marry me? You want to save me. However, I am completely capable of saving myself.'

'When are you going to realise that you want to marry me?'

Brandon shot back. 'You cannot pretend you are repulsed by the idea of marrying me.'

'I am not repulsed at the thought of marrying you, but I am repulsed by the thought that I could cause your ruin. If people

214

Pickpocket Countess

found out you knowingly

a wanted thief and that you

assisted her, I doubt your title would protect you.' Nora swung her legs out of bed and reached for a robe, belting it furiously.

The man was stubborn to the core. It was all a game to him. It no doubt galled him that the almighty Stockport didn't have her eating out of his hand-well, he did, she just couldn't let him know it. If he'd been

of love,
true
love, and not honour and protection and duty, she might have been less resistant.

'Don't

about Witherspoon. I can take care of him,'

Brandon assured her with his customary confidence. 'He's been so eager for my friendship, he'll do anything for my approval.

Once you're my wife,

fawn all over you in hopes of winning my favour. He won't think to connect any of it back to you.'

don't know what Jack will find.'

'Jack's findings are the least of our We can manage

them. There are other larger worries that deserve our attention, like Witherspoon. Don't go out again,' Brandon warned. 'I'll send for Mary

and the children. I have an empty crofter's cottage they can have.'

'She won't take charity.'

find something for her to do. The oldest boy can work in the stables and I am sure there's work in the Nora gave a tremulous smile. 'Thank you,' she said softly, touched by his concern. She bit her lip and paused. 'Brandon, I want you to know I wish it could be different.'