Temporary Mistress

'You must tell me what I can do to help.' Molly offered the cup of tea and nudged a plate of tea cakes across the small marquetry table, nearer her guest.

'I'm afraid I don't know what to do. Everything happened so quickly.' Isabella took a deep draft of tea, as though needing sustenance before going on. 'You see, my grandfather died just hours ago,' she explained, 'and without warning, my relatives tried to force me into a loathsome marriage to my cousin.'

'I'm so sorry. How awful for you.'

Shaking away the sadness that overwhelmed her at mention of her grandfather, Isabella wiped at the wetness that had risen in her eyes. 'Thank you.' Her voice was unsteady. 'Even though he'd been ill for some time, the finality of losing him is-'

'Devastating, I'm sure,' Molly murmured.

Isabella nodded and blinked away her tears. 'And then to have my relatives so cruelly ignore his death…' she whispered. 'Can you imagine anyone so unfeeling?'

'There must have been a great deal of money involved.'

Isabella's brows arched upward. 'How did you know?'

'I've seen much of the world, my dear. Heiresses are ready prey for the unscrupulous.'

A flare of indignation illuminated Isabella's eyes. 'I have no intention of becoming anyone's prey. I refused to marry my cousin.' Her fingers clenched on the tea saucer. 'When my uncle threatened to tie and gag me for the ceremony, I bolted.' She grimaced. 'And was indeed hunted, wasn't I?'

'It was fortunate you turned down our lane.'

'Your light gleamed like a beacon in the night.'

'And Mercer hasn't reported any unwelcome visitors, so your relatives must have lost the scent.'

'Thank God.'

While Molly admired the young lady's indomitable spirit, courage alone wouldn't ensure her independence. 'Have you someone you'd like us to send for, or a friend you'd care to go to tonight? Another relative perhaps who would offer you refuge. My carriage is at your disposal.'

Isabella's expression turned grave, and she shook her head. 'Grandpapa and I lived a quiet life. And my few relatives have all entered into the conspiracy against me.'

'What of a legal advocate outside your family?'

'I'm afraid Mr. Lampert, Grandpapa's lawyer, is quite unable to help me. He was thoroughly intimidated tonight when my uncle threatened him.' She set her cup down and nervously twisted her fingers. 'I doubt he can afford me protection.'

'Perhaps another barrister of more resolve could warn off your relatives.'

'I'm not so sure Uncle Herbert would comply regardless the warning given. When he threatened to tie and gag me in order to consummate the marriage, I understood how pitiless his intent. So while a legal advocate could theoretically protect me, in truth he would also have to serve as bodyguard to be effective.'

'Perhaps that's what you need. A bodyguard.'

Isabella's fine nose wrinkled in a grimace. 'How dreadful life would be if it came to that. I'd hate to be under constant surveillance.'

'Better, perhaps, than marriage to-'

'Fat Harold.' Her smile was fleetingly impish. 'Forgive me, but he's really frightfully fat and he fancies himself a dandy as well. I couldn't imagine being married to him even if he were likable-which he isn't in the least.' She sighed again. 'I wish Grandpapa were still alive. Having his money is turning out to be terrifying.'

'You could give it to your relatives.'

'They're all hateful. I'd as soon give the money away on the street as hand it over to them. Besides, Grandpapa's charities have to be funded, especially his home for retired sailors, which takes enormous work to keep going, what with Mr. Gandy and Mrs. Thomas scrapping every day over the smallest administrative details. I'm sorry.' Her fingers fluttered across her mouth like those of a child caught speaking out of turn. 'As though the particulars of my life are of interest to you.'

Molly gazed at the lush young woman who had appeared on her doorstep in a fashion those less pragmatic than she might have construed as miraculous. 'I may have a solution to your problem.' Ever the businesswoman, she recognized advantage in the unusual circumstances.

Isabella immediately leaned forward, her expression brightening. 'Would you really? I've been unable to think of a means of extricating myself from this disaster. If I return home, my uncle will coerce me into that hateful marriage. Even if I find other quarters, he's sure to track me down. The courts, while just, I'm sure, can't protect me every minute, and Uncle Herbert wants Grandpapa's money so badly, he's not likely to leave me in peace.'

'What I'm about to propose might curtail his interest in you as a marriage partner for'-Molly's mouth quirked faintly-'fat Harold.'

'His son.'

Molly nodded. 'I suspected as much.' Her gaze took on a sudden sharpness. 'I don't mean to alarm you, but would your relatives inherit should you die?'

'No. Grandpapa's will is very clear. If I die without children, his fortune goes to his charities.'

'So you must marry your cousin in order for them to benefit.'

'Which I have no intention of doing,' Isabella firmly declared.

'I understand.' Molly's glance briefly swept the room. 'Do you have any idea where you are?'

Isabella gazed about, taking in the fashionably decorated chamber, the opulence of the furnishings, her hostess clothed in elegant dishabille. 'In a house in St. James's. Other than that, I'm at a loss.'

'This is London's finest brothel, and I own it.'

Color flared high on Isabella's cheeks. Even in the candlelight her flush was unmistakable. 'Oh, dear,' she said in the merest whisper, her eyes wide, shock numbing her mind.

'You're completely safe.'

It took her a moment to answer, and her voice was still wispy. 'Really?'

'Of course, you're free to go if you wish.'

A sudden silence fell.

Isabella had little choice in places to go.

'Or if you find yourself in need of help,' Molly said, her voice temperate, 'you might consider my proposal. It's nothing more than a suggestion-with no coercion intended or implied. Your independence won't be compromised.'

Another silence ensued while Isabella experienced the full impact of the old adage Out of the frying pan into the fire. Chewing on her lower lip, she tried to dredge up other options to the dangers her relatives posed. But no easy means of salvation came to mind, no Good Samaritan dwelt in the background of her life waiting to respond to her pleas. She was entirely alone. The enormity of her solitude tightened her stomach with dread. But a pithy sense of survival had served her well since her youth, when she'd lost both her parents, and lifting her chin, she met Molly's gaze. 'Tell me. I'm listening.'

'Your relatives must marry you off to one of them to insure they gain your money.'

'It seems to be their plan.' Isabella's voice was low.

'Without you, the money goes elsewhere.'

'So Grandpapa's will maintains. Although they might try to alter it.'

'Wills are filed with the court. It would be difficult to challenge it or your grandfather's soundness of mind without convincing proof. Now, if you were ruined or disgraced, would they still wish you to be their bride?'

'I'm not sure disgrace matters to them so long as they can seize Grandpapa's fortune.'

'If you were publicly ruined, would that put another face on their plans?'

Isabella smiled despite her apprehensions, beginning to understand the gist of Mrs. Crocker's proposal, understanding deliverance might be within reach after all. 'It would have to be exceedingly public. I'm not sure disgrace alone would be sufficient.'

'Say you were not only morally disgraced but pregnant? I could see that such a tidbit was placed in the gossip columns. Would you be persona non grata then?'

'Pregnant?' Isabella whispered. 'I couldn't.'

'In theory only, my dear. You needn't fear.'

With her heart racing because she was anticipating the answer, she quietly asked, 'What exactly would be