Silent Revenge by Laura Landon Page A

paltry fifteen pounds a month.
    “May I ask what you intend to do with such a vast amount of wealth?”
    “I would feel better if I did not have to rely on your generosity. You made yourself quite clear last night, and I do not wish to inconvenience you or embarrass you with my presence or my needs. I’m used to my independence and taking care of myself. I wish to continue doing so.”
    Simon nodded in compliance. “Don’t worry, Miss Stanton. You will get your allowance.”
    “Thank you, my lord. I promise I will make no further demands on you.” She stopped and then lifted her wide-open gaze. “Except…”
    “Except?” Simon looked at her indulgently.
    “Would there be room in your employ for my servants? They are all extremely loyal and have been with me for years. Mrs. Graves is an excellent cook, and Mrs. Goodson…”
    Simon closed his mouth, which hung open. “Yes. They can all come with you. Sanjay will be glad for their help.”
    “Sanjay?”
    “My servant. He has been keeping the house by himself since we arrived. He will welcome their assistance.”
    “Thank you, my lord. I promise there will be nothing more.”
    Simon turned at the knock on the door, and Miss Stanton’s gaze followed him. Collingsworth stood at the entry with Ira Cambden at his side. Ira walked into the room, and she leaped from the sofa and ran across the Turkish carpet into his outstretched arms.
    “Oh, Ira,” she cried out, then buried her face against his chest.
    “It’s all right, Miss Jessica,” he answered and held her for a long moment. The relieved look on his face was plain to see. He touched her cheek tenderly and then stood proudly at her side. “My lord,” he said, bowing formally. “I pray I can be of service.”
    Simon narrowed his eyes. “You are acquainted with Miss Stanton?”
    “Yes, my lord. I have been solicitor for the Stanton family even more years than I have represented the Northcotes.”
    “Yes, well…it seems that Miss Stanton is in need of a husband. For some reason beyond my realm of understanding, she has chosen me to fill that requirement.”
    Ira’s eyes opened wide, his mouth dropping slightly, then lifting to an open grin. “Yes, my lord. That is correct. Miss Stanton is indeed in need of a husband.” Ira reached for her hand and patted it softly. “Does my lord understand the full impact of the situation?”
    “Yes, Mr. Cambden. Better than you realize.”
    “I’m afraid Baron Tanhill will not accept your marriage to Miss Jessica without some sort of repercussion.”
    “I know,” Simon said, rubbing his hand across his face. He knew all too well. “Please. Bring your charge and sit down. We seem to have a great deal to discuss. James, join us. I fear it will take all of us to cover the details.”
    Ira Cambden sat on the sofa with Jessica at his side. Not once did she remove her hands from the older man’s grasp.
    Simon watched with a sense of something near envy because they were not his hands she wanted to hold. He sat opposite her and slid his chair so close their knees touched. He looked into eyes so blue he felt he could drown in them. Unfortunately, the hesitation he’d seen earlier was still there.
    “How long do we have, Mr. Cambden?” he asked, making sure she knew what he was saying.
    She turned her gaze to Ira. “Miss Jessica will turn twenty-five on Friday. According to the stipulation of the will, if there is no husband, all the money will go to her at that time.”
    “And if there is a husband?”
    “The money will go directly to him.”
    Simon sat back in his chair. “Then she must be my wife by…”
    “Thursday, my lord. At the latest. She will be safer if the money is never in her possession.”
    Simon reached out his hand and touched her beneath the chin. “We will wed on Thursday.” He watched her swallow hard and noticed Ira Cambden pat her hand in a comforting way. “Do you understand, my lady?” Simon asked.
    She nodded and answered a shaky