The Return of Brody McBride (41 page)

Could he marry Lady Averil Martindale for her fortune? Always assuming she would take someone who was an outcast from society! For a moment he allowed himself to imagine pursuing her, wooing her, making her fall in love with him, wedding her and bedding her in that order. Or maybe the wedding and bedding could be interchanged, if it became necessary.

And afterward?

Damned and blasted misery for them both, more than likely.

No, it would not do, and he must stop thinking that it would. Lady Averil was no solution to his troubles, no matter what James might think.

“Lady Averil,” he said, bending his head to be closer to her. “I visited St. Thomas's for you last week, aware as I was that you were incapacitated. I hoped you would be glad of my help.”

“Hush!” She put her hand upon his arm to stop him, evidently innocent of the fact that it was unseemly to touch a man such as he. “This is a private matter, as I said before.”

There were tears in her eyes.

Something in his heart gave a little tremor, but he ignored it and continued on.

“Lady Averil, I can help you in this matter. Indeed, you would be doing me a favor if you allowed me to help; I need a distraction right now. And I know those streets well. At one time I worked for the government. I was the man who delved into the dark places of London for all the missing ­people no one else could find. I promise you that I will find your sister.”

She put a gloved fingertip to her cheek and quickly wiped away a tear that had escaped her long lashes. “I don't know what to say.”

“I am offering you my help,” he said, his voice utterly sincere. “Say yes.”