“Is it money you need?” She seemed surprised, which only underscored the gulf between them. Someone in her situation probably never worried about making rent or scrounging to pay for a bottle of medicine, but he couldn’t afford to ignore it.

“I’m not a greedy person, but I can’t go weeks without an income. I’ve already lost too much time in Pittsburgh, and I need to get back to work.” It was humiliating, but he’d probably have to borrow from Mrs. O’Shea to pay his rent next week.

“Money won’t be a problem,” Gwen said. “I’ll pay whatever rate you typically charge. A thousand dollars a week?”

“I need my dignity, Gwen. The going rate for a lawyer like me is $250 a week.”

“Then I’ll pay you $250 a week,” she said, reaching out to grasp his forearms. “Patrick, I’m floundering and I need help. I need you.”

The plea wormed its way beneath all his defenses. He wanted her to need him, but his bigger worry was that Gwen didn’t seem to realize the danger Liam was in. She might believe only sweetness and light about her family, but he suspected one of them wanted Liam dead. And if Gwen was with Liam when a second attempt on his life happened . . . well, it was unthinkable. He needed to be nearby to protect them both. Taking money from her would be galling, but he couldn’t afford to turn it down.

“All right, I’ll take $250 a week, and I’m afraid I need an advance on it so I can pay the rent.” He couldn’t even meet her eyes and instead stared at a spot on the floor. Until this moment, he’d always felt like an equal with Gwen. Now he was a supplicant, and he hated it.

But he loved her enough to endure it. This was probably only the first of many times his pride was going to be tested by daring to fall in love with a Blackstone.

23

By noon the following day, they were aboard a first-class compartment on a train carrying them to Queens. Gwen watched Liam’s expression as he took in the polished cherrywood paneling and the burgundy velvet covering the seats. Patrick and Liam sat on one side of the table while she faced them from the opposite bench.

Retreating to the empty dormitory on the Queens campus would give her the time she needed to teach Liam gentlemanly comportment and provide insight into their family history. She wanted to get along with him, but he made it tough. As soon as the train started moving, he bombarded her with rude questions.

“How come you dress like that?” he asked, gesturing to her loose-fitting silk duster that matched the saffron gown underneath.

“This is a very fashionable ensemble,” she defended.

“It looks too big. Same with the getup you wore yesterday. Why don’t you buy clothes that fit?”