Earl of Dryden by Tammy Andresen

Author:Tammy Andresen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

FIN KNEW he was making a mistake. One look at her open expression and he’d wanted to fall to his knees and beg her to care for him. He’d press his cheek to her belly and swear to fight off every demon in the world if only she’d love him.

He clenched his fist. He’d told her about his past. The opium addiction that had followed his financial ruin. What he hadn’t shared was the complete despair of knowing his life would be spent in debtor’s prison, the euphoric escape of drugs, and the descent into the filth of opium dens and the vile addiction that had followed. How he’d intentionally tried to kill himself to escape all of it.

He didn’t deserve her love. While he’d spent the last five years building a new life, the old one still haunted him. Hell, his reputation was proof of that. But inside, he still felt empty. Chloe might fill him. It was a possibility. Or he might drain her of all that beautiful love and warmth while attempting to fill the dark places inside his soul.

Chloe climbed the steps and raised the knocker. “How strange. Calling at my own door.”

“Who owns the house?” he asked.

Chloe’s mouth twisted. “It was my mother’s but then she married. I’ve no idea if it went to my aunt or to me.”

He looked over at Annabelle who’d come up just behind them. “Gads, she really does need your help,” Annabelle whispered.

“I heard that,” Chloe chided. The door opened and Chloe turned back to the butler.

The man scowled as he ushered them inside. Fin could only assume that this particular servant was loyal to Chloe’s aunt. He’d have to be sacked. Perhaps the entire lot of them would go.

“I’d like to speak with Aunt Mildred,” she said, straightening her shoulders.

The man’s scowl deepened, lines appearing all over his face. “You’d think that you’d have the decency to use the back door instead of—”

“Fetch Lady Hartworth at once.” Fin pulled his voice from deep within his chest. The other man’s eyes widened and he turned and left.

“This way.” Chloe waved to them. “We’ll see ourselves into the front sitting room.”

“Do you want the house?” Fin asked as they entered the room. It was well appointed, with large windows looking down on the street. Unfortunately, they were mostly covered with dark, heavy drapes.

Chloe sat, twisting her hands together. “I honestly don’t know. It depends, I suppose.” She drew in a long breath. “I’ve no idea what my future looks like after the next half hour.”

Fin’s jaw dropped. Bloody hell, he was horrible at this. Had he not told her the plan? “We’re to be married, of course.”

Her head cocked to the side. “Married? Oh, I don’t know.”

“What?” Annabelle asked, sparing him the indignity.

Chloe gave a shrug. “I’m not sure it’s wise.”

Smart girl. She knew a hopeless case when she saw one. Unfortunately, there weren’t many other options for her. He should have explained last night but he’d been intent on protecting her.

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