Page 31

W hile waiting for Jasper to arrive, all the sisters had returned to the parlor, except for Lady Merry.

Wolfe noted how that particular lady had been overjoyed about helping Quill and Rorie’s nurses as well as organizing a special tea for Connor and Sissy in the nursery.

When Connor had groaned and voiced his boredom, she hadn’t batted an eye.

Instead, she conquered his disagreeableness with the temptation of the Duke of Broadmere’s retired wooden swords and toy armor.

The lady hadn’t once taken affront with the boy.

Instead, she had completely understood Connor’s perspective on a proper tea.

Wolfe smiled. Connor would want to marry Lady Merry next.

With six of the sisters commanding the conversation in the parlor, Wolfe was beginning to understand their brother’s need for more males in the family.

The poor young duke was sorely outnumbered.

Broadmere and Middlebie, as well as the newly arrived husbands to Lady Blessing and Lady Fortuity, were currently out inspecting the grounds for the lawn party, as ordered to by Lady Serendipity.

Wolfe suspected she was the true head of the family’s empire even though Broadmere possessed the title.

All eyes shifted to Wolfe as Jasper entered and fidgeted his way to a final standstill in front of the elaborate white marble hearth that lent a regal air to the robin’s-egg-blue walls of the parlor.

“The things you repeated about the possible dangers to my brother and sister,” Wolfe said to the man, deciding to cut to the meat of it even though it might seem abrupt, “how did you come to know them?”

Young Jasper stared at him while running the brim of his cap through his fingers. “Might I be speaking free, then, Your Grace?”

“Absolutely. I want to know everything, and I appreciate your assistance.”

Jasper worked the edge of his hat faster through his fingers, almost spinning it.

“We trust you, Jasper,” Grace said, “and know you would never tell us anything false.”

The man managed a weak smile and a nod, then looked back at Wolfe.

“My sister works in Mr. Caruthers’s Treats shop.

She be the one who told me ’bout Lady Longmorten and her daughter hissing like a pair of snakes ’bout them children.

How they wished them young ones had never come to be, and if they had their druthers, they’d be rid of them afore summer’s end.

They was sipping their chocolates and talking like they was ready to send those two to the undertaker.

It shocked my sister at how much those women hated the bairns.

Them two of yours always behaved all polite and proper, Your Grace.

My sister went on and on about how fine they always was whenever you brought them to the shop. ”

A cold, harsh deadliness settled over Wolfe. The same deadliness that had gotten him through the war and strengthened him in every battle. By sheer providence, his brother and sister had been spared a fate he might not have foreseen in time to prevent. “Did your sister overhear anything else?”

Jasper gave him a pained look.

“Speak your mind, man. I would know everything those two said.”

“The daughter…” Jasper shuffled in place and wrung his cap between his fists as if it were a rag. “She told Lady Longmorten that the game weren’t going to work no more ’cause he was too jealous. My sister said them was her words exact.”

“What game and who was too jealous?” Grace asked.

Jasper tipped an apologetic shrug. “Another customer come in ’bout that time, and my sister had to stop wiping down tables and go back behind the counter.

All she knew was that Lady Longmorten turned bright red and left so quick her chair tipped over and bounced across the floor.

Her daughter hurried out after her. Seemed more angry than embarrassed by her mam’s fit of temper. ”

Grace caught Wolfe’s arm and squeezed. Her worry touched his heart. “Thank heavens those women are out of your home.”

“They will pay.” He didn’t know how or when, but he would make them pay. No one threatened his family. “Would your sister be willing to speak to my solicitor?” he asked Jasper. “Relay everything she heard?”

“I can ask her, Your Grace. I feel sure she would, what with them innocents being threatened and all.” Jasper smoothed out his hat only to twist it again and hang his head.

“None of us knew how to warn you ’bout what we heard—considering your station and ours and what with us not being in your employ.

” He bowed his head even lower. “Beg pardon for saying so.”

“I understand completely.” And Wolfe did understand. Few in the aristocracy would ask the time of day from anyone among the lower classes who didn’t work for them. What a bloody shame that Polite Society’s standards could so easily risk the lives of children.

“Unless there is anything else you feel we should know about,” Grace said to Jasper, “you may go now before you wring your poor cap to shreds.”

Jasper grinned before shaking it out again and tugging it onto his head. “It’s a tough old thing, my lady, but I thank you.”

As soon as he left, the sisters exploded, all of them chattering at once until Wolfe was tempted to cover his ears.

“The game they spoke of has to be the engagement,” Blessing said.

“Yes,” Joy agreed. “Becoming the duchess wins the hand.”

“But who would be too jealous?” Felicity asked.

“It has to be her lover,” Fortuity volunteered. “It would be her lover if she were a character in one of my stories.”

“Do you think she meant to become the duchess for the title and power while keeping the man she loved tethered to her?” Serendipity jumped up from her seat and started pacing. “I know I’d heard she was interested in someone else, but none of the rumors were that nefarious.”

“Forgive me, my lady,” Wolfe said, “but it is not unknown for both the wife and husband in arranged marriages to take lovers. In fact, it is quite regular and often expected.” Perhaps he should not have said that in this room of delicate beings, but these rare sisters didn’t strike him as conservatory lilies easily wilted.

Still, his conscience demanded he apologize.

“Forgive the crudeness of the topic. I would never wish to offend any of your sensibilities.”

“Don’t be silly,” Grace told him. “How do those people live with themselves? Marriage is a…a holy bond.”

“It is supposed to be, but in many instances among the peerage it has become a business or political transaction. The closeness your family enjoys is a rare thing, my lady, I assure you.” Wolfe helped himself to the brandy decanter.

This visit demanded something a great deal stronger than tea.

He turned and held it up for the ladies.

“Would anyone care to freshen their cups?”

“No, thank you,” Grace said before anyone else could answer.

“This battle demands clarity. Why did you ask Jasper if his sister would speak to your solicitor? Bringing charges under such circumstances could prove most futile, since the Longmortens never actually took action on their vile wishes against the children. They only spoke of it. And then it is also Jasper’s sister’s word against theirs, a commoner against a peer.

” Grace slowly shook her head. “If the Longmortens wished to press the issue, that poor girl might change her mind about sharing what she overheard.”

“They may have only spoken about it, but their intentions were strong enough to cause my housekeeper to flee when she feared I had uncovered their plan.” Wolfe sipped the brandy, savoring its sweet fruitiness as it warmed his gullet all the way down.

“The twins are most definitely safer here until I can review all my servants again, secure replacements where necessary, and meet with my solicitor. I expect his arrival as soon as tomorrow. I do hope their staying here is acceptable. Are they behaving?”

“Of course they may stay,” Grace said. “You promised them, and promises are important.”

Blessing laughed. “They seem like angels to me after chasing my little Rorie. I look forward to talking with them even more.”

“As do I,” Fortuity said. “I might even coax them into helping me write a story.”

“They absolutely must stay,” Joy said. “Connor has become quite adept at Hazard, and Sissy is even better.”

“They also enjoy testing my new recipes.” Felicity snorted a very unladylike laugh. “I know I can always count on Connor for a truthful assessment of whether a treat is a success or a failure.”

“As you can see, Your Grace,” Serendipity said with the regalness of the eldest of the lot, “your siblings have acclimated quite well to the Broadmere chaos.”

“It would seem so.” Wolfe found himself quite jealous of his brother and sister. The two had found their way to paradise and left him behind, abandoned to the overly quiet and mismanaged halls of Wolfebourne Lodge.

Grace drew closer, stepping in front of him with her back to her sisters. “What is wrong?” she whispered.

Her intuitiveness to his self-serving emotions both touched and embarrassed him. What would she surely think of his selfishness? “Nothing is wrong, my lady. I am merely pondering all that must be done.”

“He is lying,” Lady Joy announced to all in the room. “Look at his eyes.”

“Joy!” Grace delivered a hard glare to her sister, then looped her arm through his. “His Grace merely needs some air. We shall be in the garden for a bit. Leave us be and talk among yourselves, as I am sure you will, and no, I do not need a chaperone.”

“Gracie.” Serendipity stepped forward. “You should not—”

“I should not be bothered with useless flummery about compromising situations when I am merely walking in the side garden, in broad daylight and full view of every window and door that looks upon it. Now, stop it. We shall return shortly after His Grace is feeling more himself.”