“Because of everything! Being weak. Unable to manage things. The family’s finances, and Teddy’s inheritance. My plans for the future of the perfumery, which will likely come to nothing. And now I’ve put the entire family in the most dreadful predicament.”

“You don’t always have to be strong, Laura. Your family doesn’t expect you to be.”

“They do. They’re depending on me.” She was mortified to feel the hot sting of tears in her eyes. “And I’ve let them down in every way.” Her voice quavered. “I can’t save them from anything. When it came to the point, I couldn’t even save myself.”

“Lucky I was there.”

She gave a huff of laughter. It sounded more like a sob. “Yes. Very lucky. Now I’ve ruined your life as well.”

“My dear girl, you couldn’t ruin me if you tried. My reputation is already as black as the devil.”

My dear girl.

The casual endearment was a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. Whether he meant it in earnest, Laura didn’t like to guess. It was enough that he was here. It had to be enough.

She dashed a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. “Don’t I know it. George has been telling Henrietta all of your secrets.”

Alex’s expression betrayed only a mild interest in the subject. “I wasn’t aware he knew any.”

“He says you’re the most dangerous gambler on the continent.”

“Is that all?”

“Do you deny it?”

“Being dangerous?” He shrugged a shoulder. “Gamblers are only dangerous to the people who owe them money.”

“George claims that he owes you ten thousand pounds.”

“Ah.”

“Is it really so much as that?”

“It makes little difference now. Given the circumstances, I expect I’ll have to forgive George his debts. There’s no hope of him repaying them. I knew that well enough when I played against him.”

“What about Henrietta?”

“What about her?”

“You were going to marry her. To live at Edgington Park with her and her father. To learn about farming. That’s why you came here, isn’t it? Why you forced an introduction out of George? You wanted an estate of your own.”

“That’s all over.”

Laura gave him a searching look. “How do you know? Have you spoken to Henrietta?”

One corner of his mouth hitched up. “Are you asking me if I went to Edgington Park? If I called on Henrietta before coming here?”

“Did you?”

“Of course I didn’t. I came straight from the railway depot. Just look at the state of me.” He paused before adding, “I didn’t have to talk to Henrietta. I knew I was finished with her the night you and I waltzed together. I realized then…”

“What?”

He gave a short, husky laugh. “I won’t bore you with sentiment.”