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CHAPTER NINETEEN

“ I t is but a quick trip, Dunc. No need to discombobulate.”

Albion had taken their usual place at the club and ordered a light dish—plaice with lemon and potatoes, which was still overly burdensome on a nervous stomach. His brother remained rigid and, for the most part, silent.

Then again, this was Duncan’s customary deportment.

It shouldn’t have surprised him and yet he worried that for once, his elder brother might not relent in the end and let him have his way.

After all, he had never asked for a favor that would put Albion himself in danger.

That was something Dunc might not tolerate.

It was the very reason he hadn’t told his brother about his work as the Phantom before.

Seeing Duncan’s reaction to his request only verified the prudence of that decision.

After Daisy had spoken to him the previous day, so sad and preoccupied, Albion had understood at once what he had to do next.

No question remained in his mind. He would not ask Edward Langley to check in on Lillian.

Which meant he needed to travel to Chamberly personally to ensure she was all right.

Albion wouldn’t entrust anyone else to see her safely out of harm’s way. He would visit Chamberly.

Daisy deserved no less. She deserved complete peace of mind.

Yet he still had not told her that he was the Phantom.

As his wife, she’d every right to know. Besides, her talk of the Phantom had given him the perfect opportunity, as though she were playing one of the lawn games the English were so fond of and had lobbed a ball for him to bat with a stick.

At that crucial moment, however, Albion froze. The words were so close. How rewarding it would have been to see her reaction. Innate Orcan common sense had stayed his tongue. When seated at a gaming table, he relied on the same instinct.

Still, he could make the Duke of Rostin understand that Lillian Stewart was under the personal protection of the family formerly known as Hooradech mak Teer.

Though Albion was not as bonded to their homeland as his brother, he took great pride in what that meant.

As the Phantom, he dared not reveal his identity for the sake of success and protecting the Langley brothers.

But Rostin could not be so reckless as to allow anything to happen to the innocent sister-in-law of a Lord of the Hidden Realm.

He’d an idea for how to accomplish this even in his unmistakable Orcan form. But he needed Duncan’s help.

“You must understand why I need to do this.” Albion switched to their native tongue, hoping that might prompt his brother to speak. “Daisy is nearly incapacitated with worry. She didn’t leave bed until luncheon.”

“You should have told me as soon as the notion popped into your head,” Duncan said at last. “It sounds as though you’ve already a plan in place, and are simply seeking my approval.”

“I shan’t be there long. And I’ve enlisted Hugh to help with the travel arrangements.”

“Hugh! Is that what he calls himself these days?” Duncan gave a gruff laugh before downing more ale from his tankard. “You know I’ve never trusted our cousin. Does he still run routes to Chamberly? Foolhardy at best.”

“He has given us no reason not to trust him,” Albion said lightly. It wasn’t the first time Dunc had griped about their cousin’s antics. “And he has already assisted with communications.”

“Regardless, I will not encourage this folly,” Duncan said.

“Travel conditions between here and the continent have deteriorated, and the reward for the Benevolent Phantom has undoubtedly brought out the worst in people. Cousin Hugh is not exactly known for the fine company he keeps. Who knows what rogues and cutthroats you may face? And that’s assuming you step one foot in Chamberly. ”

“I’ll secure a passage of travel from the Crown. Prinny owes me a favor.”

“Prinny?” Duncan cocked his eyebrow, a mannerism they’d both inherited from their father.

“His Royal Highness, that is.”

“You haven’t any extralegal business in Chamberly I should know about, do you?”

Dunc may have been a grouse, but he was no fool. He might already know Albion’s secret. Albion wished the past version of himself had been more forthright with his brother. The longer he waited, the more daunting the prospect of revealing the truth became.

“Since you are so close to Prinny , what need have you for my blessing, anyway?” Dunc added.

Albion pushed his plate aside and folded his hands before him on the table. He dipped his head slightly. Though younger, he’d always been the taller of the brothers.

“The Prince Regent will assure me of safe passage across the border to Chamberly and back. I am embarking on this trip because Daisy’s sister is there.”

His brother’s grouchy disposition rattled. “How on earth did that happen?”

“Lillian Stewart is undertaking honorable work in Chamberly and deserves the support of the Hidden Realm. Implicitly, if nothing else.”

“What kind of work?”

“She accompanied the good Sisters of Benevolence on their latest errand of mercy. It is a noble gesture, but a treacherous situation. I am duty-bound to assure she is safe.”

Duncan tapped his silver-tipped walking stick against the club’s marble floors. “Had I known, I would have paid a call on Lillian Stewart myself and begged her not to go. Better yet, I would have asked Iris to do so on my behalf as she is most persuasive. ”

“For all her many charms, I doubt Iris would have succeeded on that front. Lillian has a kind heart. Daisy has always said so. Committed to good works and all that. Apparently, she wishes to become a nurse.”

“A daughter of a peer wishes this?”

Faced with Duncan’s incredulous tone, Albion gave a patient smile.

Deep down, he was not in complete disagreement with his brother about the curious customs of the human ton .

They harbored a peculiar fixation on etiquette and an odd aversion to anything resembling genuine interactions, particularly between unmarried ladies and gentlemen.

But every land had its share of “curious” customs, including their own.

“Surely you have learned that human women can be as impressive as our Orcan ladies. Iris has taught you as much, has she not?”

“Well,” Dunc grumbled through a dark Orcan blush. “I suppose so. But then Iris has made her way in Society on her terms, having not hailed from an ennobled family.”

“Hailing from an ennobled family does not mean one can’t forge a unique path,” Albion said. “Daisy wishes to fight for an embargo. Lillian is providing her talents to serve those less fortunate.”

After a full minute passed, and his brother did nothing more than push his peas around his plate, Albie felt reassured.

“Your desire to help your sister-in-law is commendable,” Dunc intoned.

Albion raised his eyebrows at that, compliments from his brother being a precious commodity. And all the more valued for it.

“Still, you can help her from these shores,” Duncan continued. “From the safety of London. I am only left to wonder at your father-in-law’s hubris in allowing his daughter to embark on such a trip.”

Albion’s fists clenched. He had met Tobias Stewart once when he asked for Daisy’s hand, per the English custom.

Lord Mercer could barely meet his eye but had been most intrigued by his material assets.

Was it any wonder that he sent one daughter over the ocean and allowed another to work in such a dangerous place?

But it wouldn’t do to speak ill of his in-laws. “The family is traditional in some ways and unorthodox in others. I will allow for the possibility her father thought a journey with an altruistic aim acceptable.”

“A journey to a zone of conflict? It’s hardly a charitable bazaar or some such. And now you intend to follow her into this peril? It is not safe for you either, brother. You place yourself in grave danger.”

Dunc was trying to protect him as he had always done. How could Albion convince his brother he no longer needed protecting now that he was a full-grown man?

Since Dunc was well married and calmer because of it, perhaps the time had have come at last to confess.

He was the Phantom. He could take care of himself well enough, even if this would be the first time he had actually traveled to Chamberly himself.

Had he not planned the Langleys' trips and brought them safely home? He could manage the same for himself.

Looking about at the gentlemen in their stiff shirt points and fashionable tail coats enjoying their meals seemingly without a care, the public nature of the space stilled him. Albion couldn’t hold that conversation here.

Dunc heaved a dramatic sigh and rose to his feet. “I find these seats unbearable for anything but the shortest of stays, and certainly see no need to indulge in a dessert this early in the day.”

“Or at any other time of day if I know you well, Dunc.”

His brother scowled. “Come. Let’s get a good round of exercise in while we discuss this matter. Like proper Orcan men.”

Albion dropped his serviette on his plate, and they headed for the door, passing between the white Corinthian columns outside the club and proceeding to the street. He tipped his top hat at a group of passers-by, a man and woman making a poor show of not staring at the Orcan brothers.

A brisk wind bristled the plane trees as Duncan advanced down St. James, pounding his walking stick furiously on the ground.

He attempted to cross the carriageway, but Albion pulled him back from the path of a horse and wagon bearing a load of vegetables.

The fellow driving the contraption shouted an impressive slew of profanities.

Albie was only grateful that none included any slurs against the green-tinged skin the English found so odd, or the horns he and Dunc could only partially hide under their bespoke top hats.