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SIXTEEN

I t is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Kern,” Judith Roxton said.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your work with Slater.

Since his return he has been so busy dealing with matters relating to his father’s estate that he has not had time to devote himself to his collection of artifacts.

I know he is relieved to be able to get back to the cataloging. ”

“You didn’t interrupt anything important,” Ursula said. That was a blatant falsehood but she could hardly explain that she and Slater had been in the midst of a heated discussion of their odd relationship when Judith and the children had arrived. “We were finished with the day’s business.”

Judith was not at all what Ursula had expected.

Blond, blue-eyed and dressed in the height of fashion, Judith was more than pretty.

There was a ravishing fragility about her.

She did not appear conscious of her extraordinary appeal.

Nor did she seem like the sort of female who relied on her beauty to manipulate others.

Quite the opposite, Ursula thought. This was a woman who looked as if she needed rescuing.

And that quality, too, no doubt drew the male of the species.

Judith also appeared to be a devoted mother to the two young boys who were playing in the garden.

Slater was with them, alternately catching and tossing the ball.

Crawford and Daniel were eight and nine years old, respectively.

Dark haired with cognac-colored eyes, they bore a striking resemblance to their much older half brother.

It was obvious that they adored Slater. They had come running up to him the moment he appeared on the terrace, demanding that he play a game with them. It occurred to Ursula that Slater seemed to be enjoying himself. He looked younger and more carefree than she had ever seen him.

So much for the gossip of a family feud, she thought.

Judith smiled at the sight of the three males engaged in vigorous play.

“Crawford and Daniel are very fond of Slater,” she said.

“When I said that I was going to come here today they begged to accompany me. I could not refuse. Slater is very generous with his time. Not every man in his position would be so kind to two half brothers who stand to inherit most of the family fortune.”

“Mr. Roxton is unique,” Ursula said, trying to sound noncommittal.

“I know what the gossips say about our family,” Judith said.

“And, as is the case with most legends, there is some truth to the rumors. Slater’s mother and I do not move in the same circles, nor do we go out of our way to do so.

But I respect Mrs. Lafontaine and she has never been cruel or unkind to me or the boys, even though she knows that they will inherit what should, by right of blood, have been her son’s inheritance. ”

“Lilly Lafontaine is a very pragmatic woman and I can assure you that she is well situated financially.”

Judith did not take her attention off Slater and the boys.

“My husband loved her. My marriage was the usual business arrangement but Edward was very kind to me and I think he was fond of me in his own fashion. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.

I can tell you with absolute certainty that Edward was enormously proud of all three of his sons.

He made the mistake of trying to control Slater by cutting him off but when that effort failed it only served to make Edward respect Slater all the more. ”

Slater tossed the ball one last time and then sent the boys off to play in the far corner of the garden.

He walked along the graveled path and climbed the three stone steps to the broad terrace.

He lowered himself onto a wrought-iron bench with easy grace and reached for the glass of lemonade that Mrs. Webster had provided.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Judith,” he said. “I assume a problem has arisen?”

Judith looked stricken. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have sent a message asking if it would be convenient for me to speak with you.”

“It’s all right,” Slater said patiently. “Tell me what this is about.”

Judith seemed to crumple in on herself. “I’m afraid it is the usual.”

“Hurley.” Slater said the name as though weary of it.

Judith bowed her head. “He came around early today. Stormed into the morning room at breakfast.”

“I told you not to allow him into the house.”

Ursula realized the conversation was becoming extremely personal. She rose and started to pull down her veil.

“Gracious, look at the time,” she said. “I must be off. Don’t worry, Webster will see me out the door.”

“No.” Slater got to his feet. “You may as well stay for this.”

Ursula glanced at Judith. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Judith did not seem to notice that there was a bystander. She gave Slater a helpless, imploring look.

“Mrs. Brody allowed him in without asking my permission,” she said. “He threatened her.”

Ursula made to step around Judith and move toward the house. Without a word, Slater caught her hand, chaining her. He did not speak but the look he gave her said it all. He wanted her to stay. She sank back into her chair and sat quietly.

“Hurley cannot be allowed to intimidate your housekeeper,” he said to Judith. “You will have to let her go. You need someone stronger at the door.”

“My stepfather will simply bribe or threaten the next housekeeper. He has become increasingly aggressive of late. It was bad enough when he threatened me. This morning he dared to imply that if I did not give him money, something dreadful might happen to the children. That is why I came here to see you. I’m frightened, Slater. ”

Slater went very still. “He threatened the children?”

“It was a veiled threat but it was a threat.” Judith clasped her hands together in her lap. “I am terrified, Slater.”

“He has gone too far,” Slater said calmly. “I will deal with him. In the meantime, you and the boys will go to the country house and you will stay there until I have dealt with the problem of Hurley.”

Tears of relief glittered in Judith’s eyes. “I am more grateful than I can say, Slater. But when Hurley realizes you are the one standing in his way, I fear he will turn his attention toward you.”

“I told you, I will take care of him,” Slater said. He looked toward the house. “Here comes Mrs. Webster with sandwiches and cakes. Feed the boys while I see Mrs. Kern on her way.”

For the first time Judith seemed to remember Ursula’s presence. She turned quickly. She looked quite horrified and embarrassed.

“I do apologize, Mrs. Kern,” she said. “This is such an unpleasant family matter. I should not have exposed you to my problems with my stepfather.”

“No need to apologize,” Ursula said. She touched Judith’s arm. “This is none of my business but it is obvious that you and the boys are in danger. You were right to come here.”

Judith gave her a shaky smile. “I’m afraid that my husband quite deliberately dumped the problem of my stepfather onto Slater’s shoulders.

I know the gossips say that Slater somehow cheated me out of my inheritance but the truth is that my husband knew full well that I could not protect the boys from Hurley.

If Edward had left me in control of the fortune, Hurley would have done something terrible to force me to give him what he wants. ”

“I understand.” Ursula watched Slater unfold neatly to his feet. “Mr. Roxton appears to be balancing a number of complicated problems these days.”

“Enough,” Slater said. He reached down to take Ursula’s hand. “Mrs. Kern has a business to mind. I will see her out and return in a moment.”

He took Ursula’s arm and steered her back toward the house. Once inside, they continued along the corridor to the front hall. Webster opened the door.

Slater guided Ursula down the steps toward the carriage where Griffith stood deep in friendly conversation with Lady Roxton’s coachman. Ursula glanced at the expensive carriage that had brought Judith and the boys to Slater’s house.

“Can I assume that Judith married your father in part to escape a brutal stepfather?”

“I think Judith would have married anyone to escape Hurley’s clutches,” Slater said.

“And as it happened, my father needed a legitimate heir for the title and the estate. The situation worked well for both of them. While my father was alive, Hurley was careful to keep his distance. But he has grown bolder now that I am in control of the money.”

“He sounds dreadful. What will you do to keep him away from Judith and the boys?”

“There is only one thing that a man of Hurley’s low nature comprehends.”

“What is that?”

“Fear.”

She stopped short, rounding on him.

“What are you talking about?” she whispered, conscious of the possibility of being overheard by Griffith and the coachman.

Slater was obliged to halt, too. He smiled in what he no doubt believed to be a reassuring manner.

“Hurley will be made to understand that remaining in London would not be good for his health. I shall offer to assist him in his travel plans. The choice will be his.”

He sounded as if he was discussing the weather or a train schedule—a matter of fact, not a subject that could be debated.

For a moment Ursula was utterly bewildered. And then with a cold shock, understanding dawned. She was amazed by the sheer audacity of the threat.

“Do you think he will believe your threat?” she asked.

Slater handed her up into the cab, his eyes chillingly calm behind the lenses of his spectacles.

“It won’t be a threat,” he said.

“Slater, Judith says he is a violent man.”

To her amazement Slater smiled. “Are you worried about me?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

“I’m touched. Truly.”

“I hope you know what you are doing.”

“I admit my social skills are limited, Ursula, nevertheless, I am capable of communicating with men like Hurley. Now, don’t forget, we are to have dinner with my mother tonight. Seven-thirty.”

Slater stepped back, closed the door of the carriage and waved to Griffith, who was up on the box. The vehicle rumbled forward.

Through the window Ursula watched Slater go up the front steps and disappear into the big house. There was something different about him this afternoon, she concluded. He appeared younger and his spirits seemed brighter. It was as if the darkness around him had dissipated a little.

Probably just her imagination, she decided.