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Worthington’s only concern was that I might die before he could kill me. He was furious I was there to save his bloody neck.”
    Eleanor frowned at her. “Don’t swear.”
    Alex shook her head. “I’ll never understand him. I agree with him, tell him I need to marry, and then he decides not to believe me.”
    Eleanor froze in the middle of shaking out a napkin. “You what?”
    “I agreed with him.”
    “Why?” Eleanor sat on the edge of the bed and placed the filigree tray on Alex’s lap. “You’ve never liked being told what to do. Now you’re going to agree to his terms?” Eleanor glanced up from her task.
    Alex held her gaze. “Luther’s not going to stop. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
    “Meaning, Lord Worthington.”
    “Meaning, anyone. Besides, this is my home.” Alex glanced around at the room that had been hers for the last eight years. “My family, and many of the servant’s families have lived here for generations.” She picked up a piece of bread and concentrated on buttering it. “When I was taken from The Merry Elizabeth, I was devastated. No one gave me a choice. I was forced to leave the only security I’d known.
    “But as much as I loved life onboard ship, my roots are here. This time I’m going to fight.” Alex gave Eleanor a sudden grin. “Worthington’s right. I’ll have a greater selection of men to chose from in London. I don’t have to marry just anyone. I need to find a special kind of man.” She tapped her index finger against her lips. What did she want in a husband? “Eleanor, would you write a list for me?”
    Eleanor appeared puzzled, but went to the writing desk in the corner, sat down, and laid out the quill, ink, and paper. “What do you want at the top of the page?”
    “The perfect husband.”
    Eleanor made a choking sound. “You can’t just list what you want, then shop for it like Cook does when she goes to market.”
    “Why not?” Alex thought for a moment. “My husband must let me take care of the estate. Mark that down as number one.”
    “Alex, no man is going to allow you to run an estate. He’ll be worried about its income, or your time away from him.”
    “Hmm.” She fidgeted with her bracelet. Eleanor was right. “Fine, then item number two: he must have his own wealth. Number three: he can’t be in love with me.”
    “What if you fall in love with him?”
    “It won’t happen. There’s not a lord of my acquaintance I could fall in love with.” The image of Declan’s aristocratic features popped into her head, but she shoved it aside.
    “What about Lord Worthington?”
    “What about him?” Had her thoughts shown on her face?
    “He’s still your guardian,” Eleanor pointed out. “He could reject your choice.”
    “Nonsense. What could Lord Worthington possibly object to?” Alex adjusted the covers. “He wants to be done with this as quickly as I do.”
    Finding a husband would be simple. Staying out of Declan’s way until they went to London would be the difficult part. Once there, she’d be too busy to think about mocking blue eyes in a face that could make an angel swoon.

Chapter 7
     
    Declan found the extent of Lord Lochsdale’s holdings hard to believe. Alex’s grandfather had carefully maintained ledgers on it all, just as he’d instructed a young Declan to do fifteen years ago.
    He stood, glad to stretch his legs after sitting the last couple of hours. He’d prefer good, honest physical labor to going over accounts any day.
    The door to the library opened and Alex entered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”
    She was a welcome distraction. They’d had a temporary truce the last few days. Alex hadn’t been well enough to ride, and even wore dresses on a semi-regular basis. He, on the other hand, tried not to interfere in her day-to-day activities.
    Alex glanced in his direction, but her gaze seemed to be held by the various items on the smooth surface in front of him.
    “Did you need