Harriet managed a nod, for Chase held her so tightly she couldn’t rise.

Marcus bowed. “A pleasure, Miss Ward.”

“Indeed,” Devon said, sweeping a gallant bow.

Chase didn’t give them more time. “And this is Miss Sophia and Miss Ophelia. Derrick. And Stephen.”

Marcus bowed again, then eyed Gower, who stood rigidly in the center of the room. “And these gentlemen?”

“Mr. Picknard and Mr. Silverstone from the bank, and his assistant, Mr. Gower.”

Mr. Silverstone cleared his throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what’s happening—”

“Neither do I,” Marcus assured him with a cool smile. “But I’m certain my brother can explain everything.”

“Brother?” Mr. Silverstone looked at Chase, his brows raised. “The captain is your—”

“No,” Chase said. “I am not a captain. I’m Chase St. John.”

“Captain?” Devon asked, obviously amused. “When did you become a captain?”

“I’ll explain later,” Chase muttered, sending his brother a quelling glance.

“Explain now,” Marcus cut in, his brow lowered. “The short version, if you please.”

Chase sighed. “I was attacked by footpads on the road near here. It was my fault; I was drunk and an obvious target. Anyway, when I woke up, I—”

“—kindly agreed to pretend to be my fiancé,” Harriet said breathlessly. She met Marcus’s glance and colored adorably. “My fiancé that did not really exist. We call him Captain John Frakenham. We made him up to keep the bank at bay.”

Devon burst out laughing. “So Chase pretended to be a sea captain? B’God, I would have given gold money to have seen that!”

“St. John?” Gower suddenly sputtered. “Wait! I read that name in Debrett’s! Y—you are not telling me that—No. I will not believe it.”

“You don’t have to. It’s none of your concern.” Chase reached into his pocket and pulled out the talisman ring. He glanced at Marcus. “Though I was waylaid by thieves, fortunately this was saved.”

“Thank goodness,” Marcus murmured. He eyed the ring a moment. “I think.”

Devon frowned. “Chase, I don’t mean to pry, but you look like hell.”

“I was in the barn putting up the wool when someone knocked me on the head and set the building on fire.”

There was a moment of stunned silence, then Devon chuckled. “Always willing to play a joke, aren’t you?”

“I am not joking.”

Harriet glanced at Chase’s stern expression. She placed her hand on his and was rewarded with a gentle squeeze.

Devon’s smile faded. “Oh. I can believe you were attacked and nearly set afire…but putting up wool? You expect us to believe that?”

“Yes.”

“Attacked?” Mr. Silverstone said, looking concerned. “You were attacked?”

“And tied and left to burn,” Stephen added grimly.

Derrick looked at Gower. “Didn’t you tell them about the fire?”

Mr. Silverstone frowned. “All Mr. Gower has told me is that your barn burned to the ground and you cannot make the final payment.”

Gower waved his hand. “I didn’t know anyone was tied and left to burn—”