Chapter 7: Lucan's POV: The Long Coat

Lucan's POV

My cousin closed the study door on the tail of my coat.

I pulled it free without mentioning what had happened.

Roderick sat down in the chair facing my desk before I had invited him.

I remained standing, so he couldn't decide that I needed to sit.

"That woman's hands were shaking," I said.

"They were full," Roderick said.

"How long have you been asking her?" I asked.

"As long as it has suited the occasion," Roderick replied.

"Whose occasion?" I asked.

"They live under your protection," he said.

"What are you protecting them from?" I asked.

He glanced at the door.

"Your engagement," he said.

"There is no engagement until she agrees," I said.

"Her aunt agreed enthusiastically," Roderick replied.

"Her aunt isn't marrying me," I said.

"Stop asking for things in my name," I said.

Roderick took a slim account book bound in red leather from inside his coat and laid it on my desk.

"Then you'll want to see what I've been asking for."

I put the brass paperweight on the cover and looked at the window.

"There are columns," Roderick said.

"Hens in one, pounds in the other," Roderick said.

"Shall I read you the totals?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"Each household encloses a card with its envelope. Shall I read you what they write?"

"No," I said.

"Then how will you know what to stop?"

"Stop all of it."

"All of it is a great deal," he said, "and you haven't read one line."

I told myself that a man who didn't know the amount couldn't be held to it.

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