Christiana definitely had not explained the predicament they were in then, Suzette thought and supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. They had kept what their father had done quiet the first time as well. Robert was like family, and as such she didn’t doubt he probably would have offered to help, but none of them would have felt comfortable with that. It would have changed the balance of their relationship, making them beholden to him, and none of them desired that. Besides, it was just plain humiliating to admit to such a horrible flaw in their father. And she had no intention of confessing it now, so said, “Why shouldn’t a lady ask the man if she likes him?”

Robert appeared nonplussed by the question.

Not giving him a chance to recover, she asked, “Are his parents still alive?”

Robert hesitated, but then said, “His mother is, but his father died some years ago. That’s why the title and estate went to Daniel rather than his father.” He paused briefly to frown, and then added slowly, “I think I heard his mother was ill earlier this year, but I’m sure she recovered.”

“Does he drink?” Suzette asked.

Robert seemed surprised, but thought briefly before saying, “I don’t recall him drinking overly much when we were younger and I haven’t heard that he has taken to drink since.”

“What about gambling?” Suzette asked and noted the way Christiana and Lisa both stiffened and leaned forward a little. It was an important question considering what their father’s gambling had got them into.

Robert shook his head with certainty. “I’m sure he doesn’t. He always eschewed pastimes like that when we were younger. He said he thought anyone who threw money away on games was an idiot.”

“Mistresses?” Suzette asked. It wasn’t unusual for men to keep mistresses, either before or after marriage, but she found she didn’t like the idea of sharing him with another woman.

“I am sure he has had them,” Robert said with solemn honesty. “However, if he has, then he’s been very discreet about it.”

Suzette was about to ask another question when the sound of throat clearing made her pause and glance toward the parlor door. Haversham, the Fairgrave butler stood in the parlor doorway.

“Yes, Haversham?” Christiana asked at once.

“Lord Fairgrave asked that I relay the message that he has returned. He and Lord Woodrow shall be joining you here shortly, my lady.”

“Daniel’s here?” Suzette asked, sitting up and peering past the butler in hopes of spotting the man who had haunted her dreams last night.

“Yes, my lady. He is assisting his lordship in carrying something to the master bedroom.”

“Oh.” Suzette drooped a bit with disappointment, but her mind was now buzzing with worries and questions. Was he going to tell her his decision? He was supposed to. What was he helping Dicky carry upstairs? And would he take the opportunity to ask Dicky for her hand in marriage? She supposed, strictly speaking, that he should speak to her father, but Daniel was aware of the situation and probably thought it more appropriate to speak to Dicky.