“That is what I have come to discuss with you,” Regina said. “If I may.”
“Of course. I have to admit I’m dying of curiosity.” Lord Harrison winked at her. It made Regina feel warm all over. She ruthlessly shoved that feeling aside.
“My sisters know of our plight. Mr. Denny has proposed to my sister Elizabeth.”
“Good man.” Lord Harrison nodded. “He has cared for her for some time. I see this gave him the push he needed.”
“Bridget has urged Elizabeth to accept him. Natalie must also choose one of her suitors. Bridget will select one as well—but I shall get to that presently.”
Regina took a deep breath. “But marrying ourselves off will not solve our problems. We shall be marrying in haste. It will be one sister after another. Everyone will know why we’re doing it. And it won’t stop us from losing our home and lands. Father will still be looked down upon. And our husbands will have a time of dodging snide remarks. It isn’t fair to anyone.”
“I suppose not,” Lord Harrison acknowledged. “But what is to be done?”
Regina drew herself up. “In a month’s time, there is the annual masquerade ball hosted by Lord and Lady Morrison. They are dear friends of our family. We are sure to be invited no matter what scandal follows us. Lady Morrison was of great comfort to Bridget when Mother died. And Lord Morrison comes to our house for shooting every year. We have them over whenever time permits.
“I know that women are not allowed to play at cards. But I also know that the masquerade ball is a time when rules are bent. Or broken outright. Everyone is wearing a mask. This way, identities are hidden. Reputations are preserved. Nobody would stop a woman from playing on that night.”
Lord Harrison drew himself up as well. His eyes flashed. “Miss Regina. Are you certain of what you are saying.”
“I am.” She tilted her chin up and dared him to defy her. “Lord Pettifer will be invited to the ball. He is a horrible rake but he has both money and title. The Morrisons will have to invite him. He will be there and he will play. I shall play him. I will be masked, no one can stop me. I shall play him and win back the Hartfield deed. I can win back a good deal of our income besides.”
“And what if you lose?” Lord Harrison pointed out. “The cards can go either way. If you play, Miss Regina, you must be prepared to lose everything.”
“What else have I to lose?” She countered. “We are penniless. We are to be driven out of our home. My Father’s reputation will never recover. My sisters shall marry under a cloud.”
“And what will you bet? Do you have money?”
“I have a small sum bequeathed from my mother. And I had hoped you might forward me a loan. I should repay you, of course.”
“And why should I forward you this loan?”
“So that you may watch me play. You will want to see how your protégé has turned out.”
“My protégé?” Lord Harrison looked as though he’d been struck by lightning. “Are you saying that I will teach you?”
“Yes.” Regina nodded.
“And why would I do that?”
“Because if you do, I shall convince Bridget to marry you.”
Lord Harrison sucked in a breath. His eyes were wide.
Regina nodded confidently. “Yes. Bridget is more like mother to me than sister. I am her darling and I have her ear. I have long conspired that she not marry. Every man she has considered, I have found ways to dissuade her. If I speak to her of your virtues she will be persuaded.
“You just now told me the story of your life. You said that it was because we are alike. I agree. Surely you cannot refuse someone who is in a position so like your own. And you will obtain the key to your future happiness.”
Regina took in a steadying breath. She could feel heat pricking her eyes. Her heart was hammering. And her chest trembled.
She forced herself to keep looking into Lord Harrison’s eyes. “Bridget is the best of women. She has run our household from a tender age. She has assisted our father in everything. She raised me. She is patient, kind, and well educated. She plays the pianoforte and draws and sings. She reads wonderfully. And she has wit paired with prudence.
“You would never find a better wife anywhere. She would make you so happy it would almost be unbearable. I would not lose her for anything. Except this. I have to save my family. And you can help me. We would owe you everything—my sister’s hand is the least I can offer.”
Lord Harrison stared at her for a moment. Then he spoke. His voice was deep and slow. It was as if he was coming out of a daze.
“You are not at all what I expected, Miss Regina.”
Regina ducked her head. She could feel her face flushing. She knew what he had expected: a mouse. But she couldn’t afford to be a mouse anymore. She had to be strong.
Lord Harrison stood up. He crossed over to the fire with his hands behind his back. Regina watched him. She could not read his expression. The light from the fire danced across his face. Once again she was reminded of the stories of the fairy king.
One must always be careful of striking bargains with fairies. That was something all the fairy tales said. They would trick you if you gave them half a chance. Was she striking a deal in a similar way now? Would Lord Harrison trick her in some way?
Regina was wading out into treacherous waters. She knew it. Soon she’d be out in deep ocean with no way to touch the bottom. And she would have to depend wholly on Lord Harrison. He was a stranger to her. Yet her life—and the lives of her family—was being placed in his hands.
She forced herself to keep her breaths deep and even. After what seemed like an age, Lord Harrison turned back to her.
To her surprise, there was a twinkle in his eyes. It was as if he found all of this amusing.
“You really are something, Regina Hartfield,” he said. “I think society has quite underestimated you.”
“Then you will do it?” She asked. She hardly dared to breathe.
Lord Harrison nodded. “I could not refuse you and remain a gentleman. As you said we have been in similar positions. And I hate to refuse a lady. I shall teach you all that I know of cards. At the masquerade ball, you will win back your family’s land from Lord Pettifer. In exchange, you will persuade your sister to accept my proposal and I shall wed her.”
Regina nodded.
Lord Harrison approached her and she stood up automatically. He was taller than she was but not so much that she had to crane her neck. It didn’t stop him from cutting an intimidating figure.
He held out his hand to her. It took her a moment to realize that he meant for her to shake it. He was offering her a handshake like she was a man. Like she was his equal.
“There are no witnesses,” Lord Harrison said. “And we are not signing any papers. But I shall trust you to uphold your bargain as if we were in a court of law.”
“Then I shall trust you to uphold your end,” Regina replied.
Lord Harrison inclined his head in acknowledgment.