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W hy did he have to select a smart woman? Because a lifetime of marriage is a long time and you want a partner to challenge you, help you and… “I’m not having this conversation over and over again. We will suit each other well.”

Her eyes widened. “We are nothing alike.”

“Of course we are. We both believe in family. We are both honest and kind and want to be happy.”

He could see her building up to another question and dreaded what it might be, but then, thankfully, Ivy poked her head in the door. “Claire needs to leave. She’s waiting for you.” Ivy’s smile died as she took in the strained silence. She stepped into the room. “Is everything all right?”

Wolf ignored her question. “So we are agreed. You will attend the ball as a shepherdess and I’ll go as a shepherd.”

Tiffany blinked at him as if he’d gone mad, then understanding dawned in her eyes and she played along. “I was going to suggest you go as the big bad wolf I have to protect my sheep from.”

He laughed. “Perhaps I will, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be chasing your sheep.”

Ivy giggled. “Come on, Tiffany, you can’t stay all day flirting with Wolf. He’s far too busy. Besides, Rockwell’s just arrived and is looking rather harassed.”

Tiffany’s eyes met his and he turned away. How had she managed to get under his skin in such a short time? Until this past week, he’d barely paid her any attention since her come-out. “I’ll see you this evening at Lady Combes’s recital.”

The tightness in his throat wasn’t from his cravat; he wasn’t wearing one. He rubbed his chest and pushed away the thought of how he enjoyed Tiffany’s company a little too much.

With Margo, he’d fallen for her with one simple smile. She’d been beautiful beyond words, but if he had to find fault, she wasn’t very intelligent. That was what surprised him now. He hadn’t known he wanted intelligence in a wife until he’d appreciated Tiffany’s. Rather than beauty, it was her mind that had captivated him on that carriage ride home from Capel Court.

He heard Rockwell in the hall greeting Tiffany and Claire. He poured himself and Rockwell a drink and handed his brother’s to him as he entered.

Rockwell sat and said, “Best you bring the decanter closer. You’re going to need more to drink when you hear the information I’ve gathered.” He took a sip, then started his tale. “Harold Parker had lots to say about Sprat. And none of it good. However, he had heard nothing about him faking purchase orders or any other swindle. Parker merely mentioned that Sprat could employ unsavory tactics to gain a man’s business, he was slow at paying out dividend or share income, and if the investor was a tad slow in paying up, well, thugs paid the person a visit.”

“Well, that’s disappointing. I had hoped we could prove a pattern of purchase order swindles should I need to defend my decision not to pay up.”

Rockwell smiled. “That’s not all I found out. Parker told me to speak to one of Sprat’s biggest clients, a Lord Dunmar. But I shall wait to tell you that story as I have summonsed Marlowe and Blackstone. I thought we should update them on the situation. Having a duke’s support will be helpful should Sprat press ahead with his claims.”

“I’ll go and change out of my painting clothes then. After our conversation with Blackstone, I’ll pay Jacob a visit, but I promised to attend Lady Combes’s recital, so I want to ensure I don’t have to come home and change first.”

*

By the time Wolf arrived back in his study, Blackstone and Marlowe had arrived.

“Rockwell has brought us up to speed on the Melville situation. I’ve never heard of this Sprat character but I know Melville is a man of honor. If he says he didn’t purchase anything from Sprat, I am inclined to believe him.”

“Thank you, Blackstone. I appreciate your confidence in my uncle’s honor. If I can uncover unscrupulous behavior on Sprat’s part, it will help me should I have to publicly defend Melville against Sprat’s claims.”

Marlowe spoke up. “I might be able to help you with Lord Dunmar. James’s father died over twelve months ago. So I think Rockwell’s stockjobber, Parker, would have been talking about the late Lord Dunmar. I think the new Lord Dunmar is having a few problems. He’s not been to the club for months and rarely attends town. However, he is currently in residence in London.”

Rockwell looked at Wolf. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Wolf nodded. “That Sprat has done something similar to Lord Dunmar. Told the new Lord Dunmar that his father had purchase orders outstanding.”

“If we can establish a pattern of such behavior, then we might have enough evidence to at least shut Sprat down.”

Wolf looked at Marlowe. “I want to do more than that. Did you know he was your uncle’s stockjobber?” The look on Marlowe’s face said it all. “After the attack on Melville last night, I have a suspicion the late Lord Deveraux’s run-in with highwaymen and subsequent murder has Sprat’s signature all over it.”

Marlowe jumped to his feet. “You think he did something to Tiffany’s parents?”

“I think he was swindling or blackmailing her father with bogus purchase orders and that Sprat took all his money.”

“Has Tiffany said something to you?” Marlowe asked.

How to answer that without revealing her secret? Before he could reply, Rockwell jumped in. “My stockjobber mentioned her father was one of Sprat’s clients. Perhaps Wolf and I have jumped to a conclusion, but the similarity to the attack on Melville made us wonder why your uncle died penniless when he was supposedly such a skilled investor. I believe it bears investigation.”

“I’ll have the man hung if he had any hand in their deaths. If it’s true, Tiffany will be devastated. We must keep this from the ladies until we know more.”

Rockwell looked at Wolf. “Of course,” his brother replied, so Wolf didn’t have to lie.

Marlowe moved toward the door. “Let us pay a call on Lord Dunmar.”

*

It didn’t take the men long to walk the two blocks to the Dunmar residence. To say the young lord was overcome at the visit was an understatement.

His face paled further when they informed him of the reason for their visit. When he slumped back in his chair, it was obvious this was the miracle young Dunmar had been hoping for. He poured out his terrible tale.

“Yes, Sprat appeared a few weeks after my father died, with purchase orders he said my father had placed. The amount was substantial and I didn’t have the money to pay. I talked with my father’s lawyer but he had no information. When I pointed out I did not have the funds, Sprat got angry and threatened to tell everyone I was in dun territory. I wouldn’t have been, if not for those notes. Sprat is letting me pay it off but at a hefty interest rate.”

“Please tell me you are not using him as your stockjobber?”

“I am not. I began to suspect him when I started asking a few questions about my father’s purchases. I just couldn’t imagine Father investing in some of those companies. I could see Sprat didn’t want to answer my questions and he got quite aggressive. When I was riding home, someone took a shot at me in the park. If I hadn’t ducked under a branch, I’m not sure I’d be here today. That is why I’m rarely in town.”

Wolf shuddered. He needed to ensure Tiffany was safe. At least she understood how dangerous Sprat could be. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to engage him on her own.

Blackstone cleared his throat. “Stop your payments to Sprat and tell him I’ve picked up your debt obligation. I believe your father never made such purchase orders. I’m happy to deal with Sprat.”

Wolf stood. “Take your new wife and family and return to your estate until we have taken care of this. Blackstone’s name should protect you for a while, plus the fact that Sprat knows we are investigating. An attack on my uncle’s carriage is one thing, but a second attack so soon would only give our case ammunition.”

As they left a very thankful Lord Dunmar, Wolf had a feeling this was going to get much worse. Blackstone would not pay Sprat, and Wolf was about to call in Tiffany’s investments. Sprat’s cash flow would be squeezed. What would he do in retaliation?

“We should put a guard on our houses and loved ones.”

The men all stopped mid-stride at Wolf’s words. “You think he’d risk attacking us personally?”

“I do.” They didn’t know Wolf was also calling in Tiffany’s money. He intended to do that in person tomorrow afternoon, and he’d have Jacob Lane by his side. He’d demand repayment at Capel Court with witnesses. Maybe he’d take Rockwell with him, but then he’d know about Tiffany’s foray into investing. He’d promised to keep her secret, so he’d just have to do with Jacob Lane himself.

“We can’t decamp our families back to our estates in the middle of the season. I’m expecting Farah’s engagement to be announced soon.” Blackstone’s words were like a command.

“I agree. How would we explain all of us leaving so suddenly? It would create its own scandal.” Marlowe continued walking. “Besides, I want to watch Wolf’s courtship of my ward, Tiffany. I’ve heard she’s not exactly falling at your feet, but making you dance a merry dance.”

Blackstone frowned. “Really, Marlowe. You should be insisting she accepts Wolf’s offer. I already have someone lined up for Farah if she continues to dally in her decision.”

“If only all our dependents were as docile and obedient as Farah,” Marlowe stated.

By the time they reached Wolf’s townhouse, the men were ribbing him about Tiffany’s reluctance. Wolf didn’t mind. He liked that Tiffany had a mind of her own and that she was a challenge. Margo had simply said yes, as if it was expected of her. Perhaps if she’d had Tiffany’s strength of mind, she would never have killed herself. She could have survived her ordeal.

Margo wouldn’t tell him the details of what happened to her during the attack on his carriage, but the screams told Wolf all he needed to know. She’d been raped…and had never recovered. She couldn’t bare him touching her and thought herself unclean. The note she’d left before killing herself on their wedding day said she could not marry him as she was with child. She would not risk his firstborn being a son who was not his. She was a disgrace and her life was over.

Wolf had crumpled the note and dropped to his knees and cried, blaming himself for her death. It would not have mattered to him if he’d known her secret. He had loved her and would have stood by her. It was his fault she’d been attacked in the first place.

In the weeks following Margo’s death, Wolf went on a rampage, wanting revenge. The only thing her mother had told Wolf was that the man had a birthmark behind his ear. A mark in the shape of a star. Wolf wondered if Margo had seen a tattoo rather than a birthmark, but he’d never found the man.

The idea that a woman he chose to marry was once again under threat of harm put him in a quandary. Marlowe wouldn’t understand the danger unless he knew Tiffany’s secret. Marlowe needed to be warned, but then Wolf would have to break his promise to Tiffany.

Once they were all seated in his study again, Wolf said, “I have a personal confidence that I have decided to share, but I want all of you to promise me, on your word of honor, not to share this or take any disciplinary or other actions without my knowledge.”

“This sounds rather serious.”

“It is, brother.” He looked directly at Marlowe. “Melville’s situation came to my attention via Tiffany.” He paused at the shocked gasps. “Tiffany has been investing in shares since her father’s death. Her stockjobber is Sprat. Sprat used her connection to me to gain admittance to present Melville’s debt.”

Rockwell said under his breath, “That explains a lot.”

“You should have told me immediately,” Marlowe bellowed.

“I couldn’t. We made a wager and only if I won could I tell you her secret. My word is my bond. The wager has many days to run, but I can’t keep this from you when she’s at risk of becoming a target. Her safety means more than my honor.”

Marlowe began to pace the room. “A wager with Tiffany? Has this wager got something to do with you courting her?”

He sighed. “If I win, I can tell you her secret. If she wins, she gets to keep her secret. I may have said I’d only agree to this wager if she let me court her. I really do want her to become my wife. She, on the other hand, has this crazy idea that she wants to be financially secure enough to choose to marry only for love.”

That made Marlowe quickly sit down. “Love. I shudder to think. Men like us don’t marry for love. A suitable young lady, well connected with a good dowry, is all that’s required.”

“I beg to differ. Wolf almost married for love,” Rockwell said softly. He was referring to Margo.

Wolf cleared his throat. He would not lie to Marlowe. “I’m not in love with Tiffany. I just know we’re well suited and she will make me a fine countess. However, convincing her of that won’t be easy. Especially when she learns I’ve shared her secret.”

“I shall tell her—”

“No, Marlowe. You will say nothing. This is between Tiffany and I.”

Blackstone spoke up. “I’m not sure I understand why she is in danger. So, she uses Sprat—but why would he want to hurt her? To get to you? You needn’t have shared her secret for that.”

“The only way she could get any stockjobber to take her purchase orders was to pay upfront. Tomorrow I am going to confront Sprat and ask for her investment share certificates to be transferred to my stockjobber, Jacob Lane. If my suspicions are true, I suspect there are no shares in Tiffany’s name.”

“The bastard. He’s stolen from Tiffany?” Marlowe looked as if he wanted to hit someone.

Blackstone frowned. “Still, it shouldn’t upset Sprat too much. How much money can it be? She must have been investing her pin money, and as a woman what does she know—”

“That’s why you were asking about Armley Mill shares,” Rockwell interrupted. “She’s invested in them rather than Park Mill. If so, she’s an astute investor. That’s your wager, isn’t it? The growth in share price of those two shares. I’m sorry, brother, but you’re going to lose.”

“I’ll find out tomorrow how much she’s given to Sprat.” Wolf suspected it was a considerable sum, as Tiffany had all but said she was financially secure. This news of Sprat’s betrayal must be devastating to her.

Rockwell, as canny as ever, said, “You think it will be a large amount? You think it will put her in danger?”

“I do.”

Marlowe issued several curses. “We are going to have to accompany them everywhere. Or have men we trust do so.”

“I suggest we ask them to cancel their charity stall as well. There will be too many people there to ensure their safety.”

“What charity event?” Blackstone asked Rockwell.

Wolf didn’t want to tell Blackstone because the Duke would erupt with anger. Or maybe he’d think Farah was not involved. “They are holding a charity fundraising stall selling old clothes at Reverend Smith’s church near Russell Square. The same day as Mrs. Buchanan’s soiree.”

The significance of the location and date went over Blackstone’s head. “We will have to speak with the Reverend and postpone the event. If Sprat reacts the way we expect, the ladies should be confined to home except if we accompany them to a social event.”

“I agree,” Marlowe added. “What are the ladies supposed to be attending tonight?”

Wolf wasn’t surprised that Marlowe didn’t know the ladies’ social calendars. He really needed to give his friend a kick up the behind. Wolf always knew where his sisters would be and who they would be with, largely because of his mistake with Ashleigh, which had almost cost Ashleigh her life—not literally, but she could have ended up in a marriage from hell. “Mrs. Combes’s recital is tonight. It will be a relatively small gathering compared to the masquerade ball. Marlowe, you need to pay more attention since your sister and Tiffany have no mother.”

Rockwell stood. “I’ll go and talk with Lorne and Vale to apprise them of the situation. Their families may need protection too. I guess I’ll be attending the recital now.” With that Rockwell took his leave, Blackstone on his heels.

Marlowe poured another drink. He sat down and silently stared at Wolf. Wolf wasn’t going to be the first to talk. If Marlowe had something he wanted to say, he’d let him speak. It was a staring contest until finally Marlowe sighed. “What else are you not telling me about Tiffany? Why your sudden interest in courting her, Wolf? On the back of Dayton’s suggestion, I offered you a deal months ago. I’d marry Ashleigh if you married Tiffany. It solved both our problems, but you said no.”

“For God’s sake. You were drunk. I was drunk. I’d never barter off Ashleigh and especially not to a man who wouldn’t care anything for her. Marlowe, you’re better than this. Why won’t you let yourself feel?”

His face paled, and with shaking hands, he tried to light a cheroot. “It was my fault. Margo’s death was my fault.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” But Wolf’s sixth sense made the hairs on his arms rise.

Marlowe threw the flint on the floor. “She came to me the day before your wedding and told me she was with child. She told me it couldn’t be yours and I realized what she was saying.”

Wolf’s fists curled tightly around the arms of his chair.

Marlowe took another large gulp of brandy. “I told her she should postpone the wedding. Wait for the child to be born and then get married to you. If she married you and had a son, he would be your heir. I know you. You’d never have let her secret out. You would have claimed the boy. I told her my father would make it happen. That she could come to our estate for the duration and no one would ever know.”

An image flashed in Wolf’s head of his hands wrapped around Marlowe’s neck, squeezing the life out of him. It was only Marlowe’s fist slamming into his stomach which made him realize it wasn’t an image in his head. He let go and took a step back, anger roaring through his blood. “It was you. I always wondered why she did it.”

“She was so upset and crying and my heart bled. She kept saying everything was ruined, she was ruined. I’m so sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing for you and for her.”

“You should have told me. You should have come to me. Surely you must have understood how fragile Margo was.”

Tears were rolling down Marlowe’s face. “I live with that realization every day. The knowledge that I could have prevented her death. The knowledge that I am not a man who deals well with people. Since then, I have kept everyone at arm’s length, in case they get too close and I make a dreadful mistake again. I thought if I offered for Ashleigh, I’d be righting a wrong done to her, and the wrong I did to Margo.”

Wolf understood guilt. He’d lived with his guilt for years. Yet he hadn’t felt that dragged-down, gut churning guilt since he’d started courting Tiffany. That thought alone should shock him, but it didn’t. He’d never let anything happen to anyone he cared about—that was the vow he’d sworn over Margo’s grave. Suddenly the fear was back. Fear that he wouldn’t be able to protect Tiffany.

“I’m relying on you to protect Tiffany in a way you didn’t do for Margo. Tiffany is under your roof. She’s your ward, your responsibility. If anything happens to her… I won’t be so forgiving.”

“You forgive me? For Margo?”

Wolf looked him in the eye. “You did what you thought was right—for both of us. And if I’m truthful, your solution was one, had she come to me, I probably would have suggested.” And the guilt weighed on him again. He would have waited for the child to be born. But he would have protected Margo from gossip and scandal and he would have married her. He would also have brought the child into his household as his bastard if that was what Margo had wanted. Society would have been shocked, but he could have weathered the scandal—for her.

Marlowe slowly rose to his feet. “I will ensure Tiffany’s safety. I’ll have someone with her, looking out for her every hour of the day and night.”

“She won’t like it. She’ll try and break free of your protection.”

“One thing our Tiffany isn’t is stupid. If we both point out the danger, she will obey.”

“I hope you’re right.” But Wolf suspected Tiffany would do as she pleased. “Let’s talk to Claire and Tiffany. I’ll bring Ivy and Ashleigh too. Shall we convene at your house an hour before we are due at the recital? We can talk to the ladies and then attend together. After all, there is safety in numbers.”