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a false name. It is time for you to acknowledge who you are.
Gentry s hands clenched. That s not for you to decide.
If I don t force the issue, you ll spend the rest of your life avoiding it.
That is my right!
Perhaps. But regardless, you will find it impossible to remain a runner. Sir Grant concurs with my
opinion, and therefore he will no longer require your services at Bow Street.
A wash of color spread over Gentry s face. His throat worked violently as he realized that his days as a
runner had just come to an end. Then I ll spend my time taking private commissions.
That would be a novelty, wouldn t it? Sir Ross asked sardonically. The crime-solving viscount.
Nick, Sophia broke in softly, you know what Papa and Mama would have wanted.
He appeared bitter and miserable, and above all, outraged. I ve been Nick Gentry too long to change.
Sophia replied with great care, seeming to understand why he would consider it impossible. It will be
difficult. No one would deny that. But you have Lottie to assist you.
Nick did not spare Lottie a glance but made a scornful sound.
Lottie, dear, Sophia said with a gentle inflexibility that betrayed the strong will beneath her delicate
facade. How many years did you attend Maidstone s?
Six, Lottie said, casting a wary glance at her husband s hard profile.
If Maidstone s reputation holds true, those six years were filled with an education that included rigorous
training in deportment, grace, the art of polite entertaining, the skills of household budgeting and
management, the elements of style and good taste, the rituals of morning calls and after-dinner
assemblies& the thousands of little points of etiquette that separate the first tier from the other layers of
society. I suspect you could easily regulate a household of any size, no matter how large. No doubt you
were also taught how to dance, ride, play a musical instrument, speak French and perhaps a smattering
of German& am I mistaken?
You are correct, Lottie said shortly, hating the sudden feeling that she was part of the trap that was
closing around Gentry. He was being forced to become something he had no desire to be, and she
understood his feelings all too well.
Nodding in satisfaction, Sophia turned to her glowering brother. Lottie is a great asset to you. She will
prove invaluable in helping you adjust to your new life
I m not going to adjust to a damned thing, he growled and threw a commanding glance to Lottie.
Come, we re leaving. Now.
She rose automatically, and Sir Ross stood as well. Troubled, Lottie glanced at her brother-in-law.
There was no glint of victory in his eyes. She did not believe that his motives had anything to do with
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vengeance or ill will. She was certain that Sir Ross and Sophia thought it quite necessary that Gentry
reclaim his former identity. She longed to discuss the matter with them, but it was clear that Gentry was
barely maintaining his self-control. Any other man would have been gratified to recover his title, his lands,
and family possessions. However, it was obvious that to Gentry this was a nightmare.
Lottie held her silence during the carriage ride home. Her husband was utterly still, trying to contain his
explosive outrage, and most likely struggling to comprehend the suddenness with which his life had
changed. Not unlike her own mood upon leaving Stony Cross Park, she thought wryly.
The moment they arrived at the house on Betterton Street, Gentry practically leapt from the carriage,
leaving Lottie to accept the footman s help in descending from the vehicle. By the time she reached the
front door, he was nowhere to be seen.
The housekeeper was in the entrance hall, her perplexed expression betraying that she had just seen
Gentry storm inside the house.
Mrs. Trench, Lottie said calmly, did you happen to see where Mr. Gentry went?
I believe he is in the library, miss. That is& Mrs. Gentry.
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