Page 79 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

The wind had increased, teasing the loose strands of hair around her face and whipping the hems of his greatcoat and her cloak.

The chill in the air quickly stripped the night of its magical qualities.

“That is magnanimous of you, but I wish you had spoken to me first.” She brushed a flaxen hair from her face. “Especially with the ongoing issue with Lord Merrivale.”

Layton shifted so that his body partially blocked the wind from reaching her.

“Merrivale is no longer a problem. In fact, he left the country on a ship bound for Morocco, and I do not know if or when he will return.”

“Why do I think you had something to do with that?” Shivering, she crossed her arms.

Layton could conceal nothing from her, nor did he have any desire to.

“You are right. My brother, Fletcher, owns a gaming club in London. He discovered that Merrivale owed a substantial debt in Morocco. The viscount borrowed funds from nefarious sources in England to temporarily pacify the debt holder, but the moneylenders became impatient when he did not promptly repay the loans. Merrivale had no idea the viscountcy was in such dire straits, and out of desperation, he thought he would contest his aunt’s will.”

Lilly made a sound in her throat—perhaps, an inaudible protest against the penetrating cold or her disdainful opinion of the viscount.

“You should know, Lilly, Matilda Davenport’s will is undisputable,” Layton assured her. While in London, he hired multiple solicitors to research the issue. “It would have held up in court.”

“I thought as much, but that does not mean the battle would not have been intense and expensive.” She lowered her chin, huddling into her cloak. “The cost could have bankrupted Charles and me. How would I have taken care of the children then?”

“Thankfully, that is no longer a worry.” Layton pulled the collar of his coat higher.

The wind and frigid air seemed intent on creeping into every opening.

Lilly pressed her pretty lips together in disapproval. “I do not have much sympathy for a man who incurs gambling debts, especially when he threatens the wellbeing of the children I care for. Still, what has that to do with you or the viscount’s departure from England?”

“It was not a gambling debt.” Layton raised her chin with his forefinger. “For years, Merrivale has been trying to buy the freedom of a European woman captured by corsairs and enslaved in Morocco who he had fallen in love with.”

Gasping, she jerked her head up. “That’s utterly barbaric. That poor woman.”

Layton’s estimation of the viscount had risen considerably upon learning that distasteful detail. It seemed Aldric Davenport was not the snob Layton believed him to be.

“I agree wholeheartedly.” Layton gave a terse nod.

He had firsthand knowledge of just how barbaric and common such practices were.

“Her Arabic owner finally agreed to let Merrivale buy her when the viscount learned his father had died. Merrivale made a down payment, with the agreement he would pay the debt in full when he returned from England after settling his father’s estate.”

“And when he started sorting through the previous viscount’s affairs, he realized there was no money.” Sympathy tempered Lilly’s words now. “What an awful situation. I can imagine he was completely overwrought. I presume you gave him the funds he needed to free her fully?”

“I did.” He gave a terse nod. “Only after I made him sign a contract guaranteeing he would never attempt to dispute Matilda Davenport’s will again.”

An appreciative smile bent her mouth upward.

“It seems I have much to thank you for, Layton. Not only do I no longer have to fret about Lord Merrivale, but you have generously provided additional security for the children’s home.” She touched his arm. “I am grateful.”

He edged nearer.

“It is not your gratitude I want, Lilly.”

Emotion rendered his voice gravelly.

“I want you.”

Her stunned silence gave him hope, or mayhap, sheer desperation made him plow onward, seizing the opportunity.

“I love you. I want to marry you and have little ones together.” He cupped her satiny cheeks between his palms. “I want to help you with the children’s home because until I met you, I was only half alive.”