“I don’t have a fortune. Nowhere near it.”

“You have the potential for one. Much more than I knew.”

“Only if we work for it. Only if we take the risk. To simply sell the land and the distilleries would be a poor decision. One that would garner but a fraction of the income we could earn if we put them to use.”

“We,” he echoed. “You and Teddy?”

“You and I.” She took an uncertain step toward him. “Teddy wants no part in managing the business. He trusts me to do what’s right for us all.”

“And, in turn, you must trust me?” His lip curled in a sardonic smile. “I wouldn’t advise it.”

She closed the remaining distance between them, coming to stand in front of him, so close that her full skirts billowed against his legs. “Why are you being so disagreeable?” She laid her hand on his arm. “Is it because I didn’t tell you about all of this before?”

His gaze fell to her hand, lingering on the ruby ring he’d put on her finger. “I’m not being disagreeable. I’m being realistic.”

“You’re being perfectly churlish. Saying that you’ll sell my half of the business. That’s not realistic. That’s cruel. Whatever else you are, you’re not that.”

“You think not?”

“I know you aren’t. I’ve seen how you are with Teddy, and with Aunt Charlotte. Not to mention the fact that you risked your life to save mine. You’re no unfeeling brute. Not by a long chalk.” When he would have looked away from her, she lifted her hand to his cheek, gently compelling him to meet her eyes. “What is it you’re afraid of?” she asked softly. “Is it so unthinkable that you might have a life here?”

“Not unthinkable, no.” His voice went gruff. “It’s bloody terrifying.”

“Because you care for me?”

“If I didn’t, I’d have nothing to lose.”

Her heart twisted with sympathy for him. “I see.” She smoothed his hair from his brow. “In that case, you’re simply going to have to trust me.”

He bent his head to hers. “What about you? How can you trust me? How do you know I won’t squander your share of the business, and leave you no better off than you were before?” His gaze was troubled. “I don’t want to hurt you, Laura.”

“Then don’t.” She leaned against him. “I have faith in you.”

“You haven’t any reason to.”

“That’s what faith is, isn’t it?” She stroked his cheek. “Besides, you couldn’t be any worse than Mr. Weatherwax.”

Alex huffed a laugh. “If that’s the bar by which I’m being measured—”

“You’ve already surpassed it with miles to spare.”

“The man must be beyond all hope.”