Ben set his jaw. “Regardless, I do not trust her with Livy.”
“You sound like me.” Strathaven’s smile was wry. “Her Grace informs me that I have a tendency to be overprotective and overbearing…and that is just as a husband. She says when it comes to being a papa, I am even worse.”
“Your caution is justified.” Leaning forward, Ben chose his words with care. “Livy is not an ordinary sort of female. While she is undoubtedly clever and capable, she needs someone to look after her. To make sure she is acting in her own best interests.”
“I wish you had been there during my argument with Her Grace. I could have used the support.” Strathaven dragged a hand through his dark silver-threaded hair. “The truth is it wasn’t just Emma who convinced me, it was Livy herself. You know my daughter, Hadleigh. All her life, she has been a spirited girl full of purpose and zeal. She has always treated life as an adventure.”
Nostalgia warmed Ben’s chest. He had always loved Livy’s natural exuberance. She explored life the way a child looks for seashells upon a shore: with tireless delight. No one—not even a jaded bastard like him—could be bored in her presence.
“Of late, however, my daughter has lost her shine,” Strathaven said in concerned tones. “According to my wife, Livy hasn’t been herself since her birthday ball, and I have noticed it too. Perhaps it is a normal part of the maturation process, of coming into womanhood. But I do not wish for Livy’s spark to be dimmed…by anything. When she asked permission to join this Society of Angels, she had that gleam of excitement in her eyes again. And I could not say no.”
Ben understood the difficulty of saying no to Livy. Yet he also understood the necessity, at times, of doing so. Perhaps more than her own parents did.
“When she is not volunteering, what of her free time?” he pointed out. “Do you trust Lady Fayne to keep a close eye on Livy, especially with Sheffield and other suitors milling about?”
“Not entirely. Which is where you come in.”
Ben stilled, his heart lurching. “Me?”
Strathaven sat forward in his chair, his expression intent. “You were there when Livy needed you most, my friend, and I am asking you to look after her once again. There is no one I trust more with my daughter. She listens to you, insofar as she listens to anyone, and I know with you she is in good hands.”
Ben flashed back to the last time he’d had his hands on Livy. The plump curve of her hip beneath his palm, the torturous bliss of her bottom rubbing against him…
“This is a lot to ask, I know.” Apparently mistaking Ben’s silence for refusal, Strathaven said earnestly, “It would be for a few weeks only, at which time I will return to fetch her. I would consider it a personal favor and would be in your debt—”
“There will be no talk of debt.” Ben gathered himself. “I would be happy to keep an eye on Livy in your absence.”
You will keep your eyes on her, he lectured himself. And your bloody hands off.
Relief softened Strathaven’s features. “You have my gratitude. She looks to you like an older brother, and despite her desire for independence, I am certain she will find your presence a comfort. In fact, it is strange that she has not burst in on us the way she has always done.”
You want me to stay away? Livy’s voice rang in Ben’s head. You’ll never have to see me again.
Livy could hold a grudge as well as anyone…which was why Ben had used cruel words to drive her away. Knowing that he’d done the right thing did not quell the hollowness in his chest. Although he lived a life of privilege, he possessed few things of true value. And now he had lost something dear…something that could never be replaced.
“She is probably otherwise occupied,” he said gruffly.
“The Society of Angels certainly keeps her engaged. I wonder what they do all day; how many pamphlets can a lady write, after all?” Strathaven’s look turned wistful. “It seems like just yesterday when Livy would come dashing in here, arms akimbo and plaits flying. And now she is a young lady, with a life of her own. Where does the time go?”
“I do not know.” It was the truth. Ben had no idea how Livy had transformed from his little friend who made him smile into a tempting minx who twisted him into knots.
Strathaven’s smile was rueful. “I confess, my friend, I am not quite ready to let her go.”
Ben wasn’t ready to let that little girl go either. As he promised her father, he would protect Livy—from afar. He would never let anyone hurt her, least of all himself.
13
Blinking, Livy lay on the mat and waited for the stars to fade. When her vision cleared, she saw Mrs. Peabody hovering overhead. As it turned out, the half-Chinese, half-English woman was not only Charlie’s housekeeper but an expert combatant. For the past two and a half weeks, Mrs. Peabody had been training the Willflowers in a unique fighting style adapted to women’s strengths. The techniques relied on speed and accuracy rather than brute force and focused on maneuvers that quickly disabled an attacker.
“Do you need to rest?” Mrs. Peabody asked.
“No, I’m fine.” Livy rose, dusting off her loose linen tunic and trousers, the uniform for sparring practice. “I am ready for another round.”
“Good,” Mrs. Peabody said approvingly.
Despite Mrs. Peabody’s diminutive frame, she could take down a man in seconds...and had demonstrated this with Hawker, the mountain of a butler. At first, Hawker had held back; despite his rough-and-tumble appearance, he’d clearly been afraid of hurting his
