“But of course,” Suzette said at the same moment. “That would work. Robert is too much a gentleman not to marry you if you were caught in a compromising situation. And once you are married, he will see that you are faithful and good and give up his fears.”

“Oh, Suzette, I don’t know,” Christiana said uncertainly. “Forcing him into marriage . . . Well, Robert might be very angry. It could start them off badly.”

“But it would start them off,” Suzette argued. “Which is surely better than her marrying someone else and longing for Robert all her life while he mopes about kicking himself for losing her. At least they would be miserable together rather than apart.”

“Something without misery would be better still,” Richard said dryly.

“All right,” Suzette said with a shrug. “So what do you suggest?”

There was silence as Christiana and Richard exchanged glances and then Christiana sighed. “I don’t know. I guess we should all think about it.”

“You’d best think quickly then,” Daniel said quietly. “Robert is here now and in bed, which would surely make her seducing him easy. But once the Bow Street runners return with the name of the suitor . . . Well, there will be no reason for him to even stay here. And I suspect he will retreat as quickly and far away as he can once that happens and when he does, her chance will be lost.”

Lisa frowned at his words, knowing they were true. Time was ticking away. If she wanted to win Robert, she had to do it soon, or she might lose her chance altogether.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Christiana asked with concern.

“Of course she’s sure,” Suzette answered for her. “Lisa has loved Robert forever. It will be all right.”

“Suzette, don’t push her into this,” Christiana said quietly. “This is not a game. He could be very angry if he works out it was a setup. He might never forgive her.”

Lisa bit her lip as Christiana’s words ran through her head. It was a scary thought, but not as scary as the thought of never having him, she acknowledged. And if she did not do this, she very much feared she would lose him. Or never get to claim him, Lisa supposed, since he wasn’t hers to lose yet.

Straightening her shoulders, she nodded firmly. “I want to do this.”

“Good girl,” Suzette said cheerfully, rubbing her shoulder. “You can do this. You’ve read all those books and know what to do. Just pretend you are Fanny or Sophia and do all those delicious things you’ve read about. He will not be able to resist you.”