“I have limited options.”
“You told me you were going to explore the feasibility of—”
“And I have. His place has the best location and the worst management.” She lifted her chin. “I think I can do it.”
“Why not get a job there?”
“And work for the reprobate?”
No, of course not. That would be dangerous. “Why not go to the second-best place and make improvements? Why not—”
“Because they aren’t hiring.” She held up her hand. “I have considered every possibility. Indeed, I have thought of nothing else for these last eight days.” She took a step forward. “You gave me excellent advice, my lord, but given my situation…” She shrugged. “I have opted to try the big risk that is available to me rather than wait for another opportunity to arise.”
“And if you lose all your money?”
She shrugged. “Then I shall remain with my adoptive mother and try to save up again.”
He stared at her. He held her gaze and he waited. She looked like she meant it, as if it were the easiest thing in the world to lose money she had scrupulously hoarded for years. Eventually, her gaze wavered, and she sighed.
“Men win and lose fortunes all the time with nary a thought.”
“You are not them.” He touched her arm. “I think this is very foolish.”
“Nevertheless, I am determined.”
He could see that. “Why don’t you try to purchase the registry from him?”
“I haven’t enough money.”
“How much do you need?” The words were out before he could think them through. The earldom was well heeled, but he’d sunk a great deal into improvements. He did not have a lot of ready cash. Nevertheless, he would find a way to help her. She did not need to take insane risks at a notorious gaming hell.
Miss Rees waved his offer aside. “Mr. Palmer won’t sell. I already tried. But Mr. Bates said he would gamble it away if I was clever.”
Mr. Bates excelled at finding clever ways to trick people. That didn’t mean Miss Rees could do it too. “Gambling is not so easy. You cannot be sure to win. Indeed, the odds of success are very small.”
Miss Rees leveled him with a hard stare. “I know that. I have decided to take the risk anyway.”
He could see that she was intent on going no matter what he said or did. Damnation, she was going to lose every penny she owned, but he was not her nanny. He couldn’t stop her. What he could do was make sure that she lost only her money and not a thing more.
“When do you mean to go?”
Clara huffed out a breath. “Tonight!”
He’d guessed as much. “Very well. I will accompany you.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ll stand with me in a gambling hell?”
“I won’t let you go alone.”
“You’re not going to try to stop me?”
He shook his head. “I’d like to discuss it with you more on the way there.”
“I would like that.”
“But I am not your parent and you are of age. I cannot stop you.”
Her smile was slow in coming, but dazzling when it finally appeared. “You are a rare breed, my lord.”