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promised himself he would not lose his temper but just the sight of this traitor set his blood boiling. “You've undoubtedly surmised why I am here."
    Neil sat across from him with a grave demeanor. “I think it best if you state your purpose."
    At least the bastard was hiding the glee he must be feeling. One of his cheeky grins would surely send Malvern's control up the chimney. “In light of last night's events at the Metropolitan Hotel, I feel obliged to ask for your sister's hand in marriage."
    Neil nodded. “As her closest male relative, I give my consent. However, there is no dowry."
    Malvern waved his hand impatiently. “I didn't expect there would be. To avoid further scandal, I will make her the Countess of Malvern and provide for her for the rest of her days, but she must sign an agreement to protect all estate properties."
    Weathersby frowned at Malvern for several moments before saying, “I know you are angry with me at the moment, but I hope you will come to realize I did this for your good as well as Pru's."
    Malvern jumped to his feet, sending his hat and gloves flying in different directions. He took a step toward Neil before forcing himself to stop. “You betrayed our friendship."
    Weathersby quickly rose and stepped behind his chair. “I—we— You need a wife."
    Failing to control the volume of his voice, Malvern fairly shouted, “I am perfectly capable of finding one on my own."
    "Are you? All your talk about waiting to be sure you'd sown all your wild oats—isn't that just an excuse to avoid the old leg shackle? With Pru for a wife you can relax. Your mother will no longer be nagging you to marry, and all the mothers of unwed daughters will stop stalking you. You'll be free."
    "Free?” Malvern pumped his fists in impotent rage. “You bloody idiot, I'll be married!"
    Hearing loud voices in the parlor, Prudence feared violence was erupting. She rushed to the room as fast as her heavy skirt would allow. Intent on stopping any mayhem, she called out, “No, you don't have to marry me. I'll go away."
    The two men turned toward her, Neil with a look of horror, the earl with a sneer. “And where will you go?” Malvern asked.
    "I—I'll—” Where would she go? If the story of her indiscretion spread as Neil said it would, Aunt Agatha certainly would not welcome her, and no respectable family would hire her as a governess. She'd have to throw herself on Uncle Oscar's questionably mercy. She looked at Neil in desperation.
    He shook his head mournfully. “Every door will be closed to you."
    "And I'll be judged a chip off my father's philandering block,” Malvern added. “This clever trap of your brother's has caught us both quite neatly."
    She turned toward him in surprise. “Trap?"
    "Come now, Miss Crump. Surely it has occurred to you that your brother leaving us alone in a private room and returning at just the right moment with witnesses was due to something more than bad luck."
    Had her own brother lured her into this coil on purpose? “Neil?"
    He raised his hands defensively. “I did hope something might develop between you two—I promised Mother I'd see you properly situated."
    She shook her head in disbelief. “I knew you just said it to make Mother feel better. I didn't expect you to—to— What a horrid situation."
    Malvern grimaced, making his nostrils flare. “My sentiments exactly, Miss Crump. But the jaws of the trap are sprung and we are well and truly snared. There is nothing to do but make the best of it."
    She glanced back and forth as her senses reeled. What a fool she had been. This arrogant aristocrat cared nothing for her. Last night he'd merely been trifling in a most ungentlemanly manner, and Neil had apparently left her with him fully expecting such behavior. She couldn't decide which man shocked her the most.
    The earl began to speak as though he were ordering minions about. “You may spend this evening packing your belongings and finishing your recriminations with