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“That is enough. I would not have you or anyone refer to his lordship by that horrible name. I’ll have you remember he’s our guest here.”
    At that moment, Eleanor reentered the room. “Supper is ready,” she announced with a smile. “Ravenstone, why don’t you escort Penelope?”
    “I would be honored, Mrs. Walker,” he murmured as he helped Penelope to her feet. He waited for everyone to begin entering the dining room before moving. “Your stepfather does not seem to be fond of me,” he whispered to her.
    “He’s a good man,” she whispered back. “He’s just been working really hard the past couple of years, and he’s always tired.” She glared at him. “Besides, he didn’t say anything untrue. You did take much too long to come for me.”
    “I know, my dear,” he admitted. “But I am here now, and I pity any fool who would try to take you from me.”
    Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Is that supposed to be a romantic vow or a threat?”
    He chuckled. “Take it whichever way you wish, sweetheart.”
    If her family thought it was odd that Penelope entered the dining room frowning while his shoulders shook with mirth, they seemed to have finally found their manners and did not comment upon it. If things progressed as smoothly as they had tonight, his inheritance and the future of the Ravenstone family line would be secured.
    • • •
    Supper with the Walkers had been less awkward than Lucas anticipated, due in no small part to Penelope’s remarkable conversational skills. She listened attentively to those who spoke to her, then gave witty replies, which consisted of a combination of intelligence, subtlety and frankness.
    The Walkers, for their part, apparently had expected Lucas to come for Penelope, and now that he was here, seemed willing to forgive and forget the length of time it took him to do so. Even Dr. Walker seemed to bend enough to offer a desultory comment or two to the dinner conversation.
    When the ladies and Colin departed to let the gentlemen have their port in the dimly lit library, however, the uncomfortable silence returned.
    Lucas took a sip from his glass, looking around the room for an inspiration to break Dr. Walker’s reticence. His gaze took in the shelves filled with books lining the moss green walls, then wandered to the faded rug and the equally faded rose-colored furniture that he and the doctor sat on opposite the hearth. He noticed the shiny suit of armor standing at the end of one of the bookshelves.
    “A family heirloom?” he asked, tipping his head toward the coat of mail.
    Dr. Walker followed his gaze and sighed. “No,” he answered. “That came with this house, which my father won in a game of cards.” He gave Lucas a direct look. “I apologize if I seem less than honored to have you in our house, my lord, but I cannot pretend this situation is normal.”
    He nodded, accepting the apology. He had little choice but to accept it. “I understand.”
    “I’ve tried to take care of my family as best I could, but I have no doubt you’ve already surmised we are in a somewhat difficult situation at the moment.” Dr. Walker paused to take a healthy swallow of his port. “I will not deny it. My father was a gambler. It was his occupation, don’t you know. His winning streak paid for my education and provided us with this house. As a rule, however, a winning streak is called that because it is supposed to end. You’ve seen our house. I am afraid repaying my father’s gaming debts when he died meant I could not provide a dowry for my daughters, nor keep my son in school.”
    Penelope’s stepfather put his glass down and looked at his hands, held palm up in front of him, like a man who knew he was defeated but was valiantly refusing to give up fighting.
    “I would work all day and all night if I could, to bring my family out of this mess. But I know in the end we would still be in debt. I am stuck in this situation.” The doctor sighed. “I work,