Page 14 of Juliet's Touch

“Will you meet with him at his country estate?” Fletcher asked. “I promise, you won’t regret it now that his evil wife is locked away. You’ll have a comfortable chamber and as much food as you require. You can leave any time you like, and his solicitor will see that you receive your share of Chesterhill’s wealth.”

If this were true, Eric might finally be able to afford a home for Auntie. The girls would no longer have to sell their bodies to lecherous men. He tamped down his excitement because this was too good to be true. There had to be a catch—a sell your soul to the devil kind of arrangement.

“I can leave the estate whenever I want?” Eric asked.

“You have my word as your half-brother-in-law.”

Eric traced the rim of his mug as he contemplated all the things that could go wrong with this offer. Lying aristocrats. Ambushes. Exaggerated wealth. Kidnapping. Although who would want to kidnap him?

“Would this wealth I am receiving buy a large home, in let’s say, Chelsea, and feed a dozen individuals?” Eric asked.

Fletcher nodded. “If you are asking me if you will be wealthy enough to free everyone who works at The Pink Petal from a life of servitude, the answer is yes. Twice over.”

Leaving the city until things blew over with Knight Roamer was probably wise. The excursion might even distract him from his desire to walk past the Mayfair beauty’s house a hundred times a day.

“I have things I must attend to first,” Eric said.

“We leave for Chesterhill Manor two mornings hence,” Fletcher said. “Does this suit?”

“Yes.” Eric held out his hand. “Deal.”