Lady Alex's Gamble Read Online Free PDF Page B

pursuing. Even then she had not let him assist her in any tangible way, merely thanking him for allowing her to unburden herself every once in a while.
    Trevor Padgett shook his head again. "I await your instructions, which I am sure you must have thought out long ago."
    Alex had the grace to grin sheepishly. "Well, yes. I was hoping that you would oversee the transportation of Alexander to Mrs. Bates's cottage. No one has gone near 36
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    there since she died. She was such a tidy housekeeper that it is in excellent condition. I shall send Bessie and Mrs. Throckmorton to air it out and prepare it for Alexander. Bessie has said she will stay with him and we shall give it out that she has accompanied me to visit Great Aunt Belinda in Brighton."
    "And why do you not go to visit Great Aunt Belinda in Brighton? Ask her for some assistance instead of throwing yourself into a ridiculous escapade which has far more likelihood of ruining you than of repairing the family finances," the doctor said. Heretofore he had never heard of any relative to whom Alexandra could apply for help of any kind and he seized upon this one eagerly.
    "Because for all I know. Great Aunt Belinda never existed, and if she had, I am sure she has been dead this age. Papa only spoke of her occasionally as the only one in the family who would have anything to do with him after his family disowned him."
    The doctor frowned. "I still think you should apply to your father's relatives. Surely a family as rich and powerful as his could spare something to save one of its branches from ruin?"
    "His family?" Alex's voice was dangerously quiet. "I would rather die than have anything to do with a family that was so desperate to punish Papa that they even broke the entail to deprive him of his birthright. They would never have anything to do with him and they certainly would have nothing to do with us now. Papa would turn over in his grave at the very thought of such a notion. Why, he even took one of the more 37
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    obscure titles so that he would not appear to be connected with them."
    She was her father's daughter, the doctor thought irrelevantly to himself. Standing there, her green eyes blazing, shoulders squared, she did look remarkably like the old earl—as charming a man as one could hope to meet, slow to anger, but the very devil when roused. Alex was as fiercely proud as he had been. However, the doctor would not have counted himself a true friend unless he tried his best to dissuade her from something that could be as dangerous to her person as to her reputation. He girded himself for one last attempt, though he knew it would be useless.
    "His family might not have wished to recognize your father as one of them any longer or to offer assistance of any kind to him, but I wager they would give a good deal to keep the name of even a minor branch of the family from being bruited about the ton in the manner you propose." Alexandra's eyes flashed. "I would never stoop to such a stratagem, nor would I lift my little finger to keep their precious name from being smirched! How could you even suggest such a thing?"
    The doctor smiled ruefully. She had grown up into a capable, independent young woman, more than able to act as head of the family and direct the running of the estate, but underneath she was still the same little spitfire who had confronted the rascally tinker and who had demanded a horse instead of a pony for her first riding lesson.
    "Forgive me, Alexandra," he apologized, "but I had not the least intention of insulting you. However, as the only person 38
    Lady Alex's Gamble
    by Evelyn Richardson
    in your life who dares offer you advice, I had to make an attempt to stop you. I know it will not do the least bit of good, but I could not live with myself if I had not at least tried. Yes, I shall make certain that Alexander is safely conveyed to Mrs. Bates's cottage, that he is cared