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handed him the warm cloth. Piper didn’t look at either of them as he pressed the cloth in her hand to wipe up her face.
    Finally, her aunt spoke, “I know what my sister asked of you and I don’t like it.”
    Piper lifted her head then. “What did my mother ask?”
    “That I watch out for you.” He brushed the hair back from her face but Piper barely noticed the gesture. Why would her mother have a handsome eligible man look out for her? She would be ruined if anyone found out.
    Her aunt pursed her lips and stared at them but then went to sit in the corner of the room behind them. Piper could not believe her aunt was permitting her to sit in Barrett’s lap. It was the most out of character thing her aunt had ever done. Something was going on, but she didn’t know about.
    “I’m sorry about what I said earlier.” Barrett took a deep breath. “I should never have asked you to become my...”
    “Shhhh.” Piper sat up. “Why are you apologizing now?”
    He looked surprised. “You’re upset.”
    “I am upset about my mother!” She was lying a little. She was upset about her mother but she was also hurt by his offer. She didn’t want him to know he had stung her pride and her heart. She wanted him to ask her to marry him. “If she dies, I will be alone. No one in this world will love…” She was doing it again! Telling him too much.
    A pained expression crossed his face. “I will help you find a husband.”
    “A husband is no guarantee of love.” She climbed off his lap, using anger to break out of her sadness. “And I do not need your help for that. In fact, as I tried to tell you earlier, your presence is the opposite of helpful.”
    “Why is that?” He gave her a level stare.
    “Probably because you refuse to keep your hands off of me and you threaten other men with bodily harm.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why is that ?”
    He chuckled. “You’ve got me there.”
    She took a deep breath, bolstering her courage. “Unless you plan to offer yourself.”
    His voice lowered as he spoke for her ears only, “I’m a duke, Piper. And my family has been arranging a match for me for years. To go against that would…” his voice trailed off.
    Her shoulders slumped. Of course he already had a beautifully perfect aristocratic lady waiting for him in England. She had been foolish to even hope for a second he could ever marry her. Deep in her heart, she knew this was part of her sadness. She tried to keep it out of her voice when she answered, “I understand. But you have to understand no man will offer for me while you are by my side.”
    “Then we are at a real crossroads. I promised your mother I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. While I see your point, I can’t have another man taking advantage of you because he thinks you have no male protection.”
    “What exactly did you promise my mother?” her eyes narrowed when she spoke.
    He looked evasive as he answered, “Just that.”
    “Send someone else then.” She shrugged.
    “Like Ethan,” his voice growled again.
    She rolled her eyes. “Your choice.” She turned away, but he caught her wrist and gently pulled her closer to him.
    “Piper, if you don’t marry, if anything happens to your mother, I will take care of you.” His thumb massaged the wrist.
    “For how long? And at what cost to my reputation?” She slowly slid her hand away, “Goodbye Mr. Maddox.”
    He didn’t answer. His eyes glowered as he watched her leave the room. She could feel them boring into her back. She ignored them. If Barrett was marrying someone else, she had to forget him and find a real suitor. He had helped her so much, she couldn’t deny that, but he was dangerous to her heart and her reputation. Though it pained her heart, she had to stop seeing Barrett Maddox. She headed back up the stairs to sit with her mother.
    ***
    Barrett climbed into his carriage. His driver had come racing into the house to report Piper had sobbed the entire way