Page 13

Chapter

Twelve

STEELE VISITS HIS brOTHER

T he note arrived with all the urgency of a war dispatch. Brought by one of Lady Walsh’s footmen, according to Milford. I wasn’t expecting it, not when I’d talked to Lady Rosalynd a bare hour ago. Something must have occurred at Walsh House. I tore open the envelope to find two paragraphs filling the space in a handwriting I recognized.

Upon my arrival at Walsh House, I found Dodson questioning Julia. I gave him his walking papers before too much damage was done. He wants to question her at Scotland Yard, so she’ll need a solicitor. Can you please arrange for one?

Of course, I could. Hanover came to mind. Not only did he have a deep knowledge of the law, but he was trustworthy, discreet, and fiercely loyal to his clients. But Lady Rosalynd’s note did not end with that request.

As Dodson was leaving, Lord Nicholas arrived. There’s no doubt Dodson saw him.

The bloody fool!

I asked him to leave as his presence would do Julia no good. Nor himself, if I may add. I am returning to Rosehaven House. You may contact me there.

Lady Rosalynd did not explain the reason for her sudden departure from her cousin’s home. But I could well imagine its impetus. Lady Walsh had objected to Lady Rosalynd asking Nicky to leave. An idiotic move on her part. Lady Rosalynd’s presence would have protected her against accusations of improper behavior with my brother.

“Is there an answer, Your Grace?” Milford asked.

I shook my head. “No. But I will need a footman to carry a note to the City.” That’s where Hanover’s chambers were located.

“Of course, Your Grace.”

As Milford turned to leave, I said, “And order my carriage. I need to visit Lord Nicholas.” And ring a peal over his head.

Milford simply nodded.

It took no time to pen the letter to Hanover. After explaining in detail what was needed, I asked him to contact me tomorrow. Once that was done, I made my way to the entrance hall where I handed the sealed letter to Milford. Within moments, I was on my way to Piccadilly.

Nicky’s quarters were located in The Albany—a bastion of bachelorhood and discretion. It loomed before me as my carriage rolled to a stop. Alighting swiftly, I strode through the grand entrance without hesitation.

Save for the faint strains of music from a neighboring suite, Nicky’s quarters were quiet. When no one answered my firm knock, I used my key and pushed open the door. Inside, the scent of brandy hung thick in the air. The source of it was my brother, sprawled on an armchair in the sitting room, a half-empty glass dangling from his fingertips.

His eyes, unfocused yet alert, landed on me with mild surprise. “Warwick,” he drawled, tipping his glass in my direction. "What a rare pleasure."

"You’re drunk,” I noted flatly, stepping inside.

"Observant as ever," Nicky replied, swirling the amber liquid. "Did you come to lecture me?"

I ignored the bait and went straight to the point. “Did you visit Lady Walsh?”

“Yes.”

“Are you in love with her?”

Nicky stiffened, the amusement in his expression fading. He set his glass down with deliberate care. "What of it?"

My pulse ticked faster. "Then it’s true."

"It doesn’t matter," he said curtly. "Nothing has happened between us."

I studied him, searching for any flicker of dishonesty. "Tell me about your encounters with her."

He exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "We talk. That’s all we do. In ballrooms, at the theater, in public, always surrounded by half of London’s elite. We laugh, we exchange barbs, but never—" his voice hardened "—never anything more."

I crossed my arms, unwilling to relent. "And yet, society has taken note of your affections."

Nicky scoffed. "As if society needs an excuse to talk."

"You should have exercised more caution. She’s a married woman. Or rather was.”

"And you should exercise less control!" Nicky’s voice rose with sudden fury. "You act as though you dictate all outcomes, but not this time. Not with me."

I narrowed my eyes, as the tension built between us. "This is not about control. It is about consequences. Where were you last night before your arrival at the ball?”

Nicky stood abruptly, the glass falling from his fingertips, the amber liquid spilling over the rug. “You think I murdered Walsh?”

“Of course not. But Dodson already suspects. He will ask, Nicky. You must have an alibi. Where the devil were you?”

"Get out."

I held his gaze, my own anger simmering beneath the surface. But there was nothing more to be done now, not while he was in this drunken state.

Without another word, I turned and strode out, the weight of the conversation pressing heavily upon me. It was only after I climbed back in my carriage, I could admit the truth. I’d handled that rather badly.

The carriage ride back to Grosvenor Square was a quiet one, though my mind was anything but still. Nicky’s defiance still echoed in my ears, his anger, his indignation. It was a rare thing to see my brother so affected.

Unsettled as I was, I should have returned home so I could get back my bearings. But I needed to discuss what had just happened with someone. Not Mother. I didn’t want to inflict that pain on her. The last thing she wanted to hear was that Nicky had taken to the bottle. It would bring back horrendous memories of our father when he’d taken out his drunken rages on her. The only other logical person was Lady Rosalynd. She had to have returned home by now.

After descending from the carriage in front of my residence, I made my way to Rosehaven House. It was not a long walk—just across Grosvenor Square. I was frostily received by their butler. No wonder, I’d arrived in all my dirt. I hadn’t even stopped to shave. Pursing his lips, he stepped aside to allow me entry.

“I’d like to see Lady Rosalynd.”

“Is she expecting Your Grace?”

“No.”

“Very well. If you would follow me.”

I thought he’d show me to the sitting room where we’d met before. But to my surprise, I soon found myself outside what turned out to be the drawing room. As the doors opened, the scent of tea and freshly baked goods filled the air. The Rosehaven clan had gathered for tea. It appeared to be a rather harmonious scene. The well-behaved children were quietly enjoying their refreshments and treats.

“His Grace, the Duke of Steele, milady,” the butler said while tossing a rather superior air toward me.

Well, that would teach me to show up uninvited and unshaven.

“Your Grace,” Lady Rosalynd gracefully rose to her feet and curtsied. “What a pleasant surprise!”

It was nothing of the kind. We’d agreed to behave circumspectly. And yet, here I was, tossing all discretion to the wind.

“Lady Rosalynd.” I bowed. “My apologies for arriving without an invitation. I thought it vital to discuss a recent turn of events.”

Thankfully, she didn’t question my statement. Just the opposite, she answered me warmly. “Yes, of course. May I suggest we enjoy our tea first? I hope you don’t mind. Having missed my luncheon, I’m feeling rather peckish.”

“No, of course not.” What else could I say?

Once I took a seat and was presented with a cup of tea, I found several pairs of eyes staring at me.

“You know Cosmos.” She pointed to her brother.

“Yes, of course.”

“Steele,” Cosmos murmured through a mouthful of scone.

“But you haven’t met the rest of my family.”

“I haven’t had the pleasure, no.”

“Chrissie, come and make your curtsy to His Grace.”

A young woman, her hair the color of rose gold, came up and curtsied.

“My sister, Chrysanthemum,” Rosalynd explained, “We call her Chrissie. She’s making her debut this season.”

Coming to my feet, I bowed. “I’m honored to make your acquaintance, Lady Chrysanthemum.”

“Your Grace.” Lady Chrysanthemum offered a graceful curtsy before returning to her seat.

Lady Rosalynd then motioned forward a younger version of herself. “This is Laurel. She’s never to be found without a book, as you can see.”

Indeed, one dangled from her hand. “Lady Laurel.”

Laurel murmured something I didn’t quite catch. Clearly, she resented the intrusion into her reading time.

“The twins, Holly and Ivy. Born on Christmas Day.”

“How do you do, Your Grace?” They spoke in unison while bending their knees. From the hoydenish light in their eyes, I guessed they were mischief makers.

“Fox, please come forward to be presented to the duke.” Once he’d done so, she introduced him. “Fox is the youngest male member of our family.”

“Lord Fox. The one who loves poisonous plants, I’ve heard.”

“Not only those, Your Grace. I also enjoy the carnivorous ones. They can be quite?—”

“Thank you, Fox,” Lady Rosalynd said, “you can discuss those another day.”

Fox returned to the window, his tail tucked firmly behind his legs. Poor lad. Odd that he was in London. He should have been at Eton or Harrow.

“And last but not least—Petunia.”

My breath caught once more. “Lady Petunia.”

“How do you do?”

“Your Grace, poppet. Remember?”

“I can count to one hundred,” Petunia said. “How high can you count, Your Grace?”

“I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Do you like fairy cakes?”

“I … suppose?” What the devil were fairy cakes?

Her nose wrinkled with disapproval. “You suppose? You either love them or not. I love them.” She flashed a grin that was missing two teeth. “Do you have any children?”

My heart stopped. “No. I don’t.”

“You’re being impertinent, Petunia. Come sit by me.” Grabbing Petunia’s arm, Lady Chrysanthemum dragged her away.

“But I?—”

“Here, have a fairy cake.” Lady Chrysanthemum shoved a cake in the little girl’s mouth.

That didn’t deter Lady Petunia, however. Once she finished her treat, she continued to speak. “Chrissie is making her debut this season. She’s been presented to the king and queen.”

“That’s excellent.”

“She sings and dances beautifully. And she knows how to play the pianoforte. She’ll make an excellent wife. Are you in the market for a wife, Your Grace?”

Lady Chrysanthemum choked on her scone. Holly and Ivy snickered. Laurel ignored the entire thing as her nose was firmly stuck to her book. Equally oblivious, Fox continued to stare out the window.

“No. I am not, Lady Petunia.”

Her lip curled. “A shame.”

“If your hunger has been satisfied, Your Grace,” Lady Rosalynd said, “let us move our discussion to the morning room. We should be able to enjoy a private conversation there.”

Hard to have satisfied my hunger as I hadn’t had the chance to eat so much as a crumb.