Page 128

CHAPTER ONE

“That perfume is an unexpected scent for the younger brother of a duke.”

Charles Robertson rolled over to look up at his older brother, the duke of Brooksford himself. The duke was glowering but that wasn’t unusual when Charles came for a visit. Charles took pride in his ability to irritate his stoic big brother.

“I’m surprised you can even remember how a woman smells. It has been years since you kept close company with one.” Charles said.

Alec stared down at him from where he stood at the head of the sofa. The duchess of Brooksford had been his true love and died almost five years ago.

“You don’t know who I keep company with. I am much more discreet than you are.”

If only his big brother knew how discreet he could be. Working for the crown meant Charlie knew how to keep a secret. He also knew what to let society know on order to keep them distracted. It was important to keep up his reputation as a rogue in order to keep them from realizing he was a spy.

“Oh, please, enlighten me. Has an actress caught your eye? Perhaps a pretty widow? Please don’t tell me you pay for the company.”

Charles had meant that only in jest, but the way his brother’s jaw tightened told him they did not share the humor.

“I would never stoop to such a thing.” He said through clenched teeth.

“Very well, keep your love affairs to yourself. They are probably boring anyway.”

Charles slowly sat up in the sofa, giving his head time to stop spinning and adjust. He has sent most if the night at a party nearby, where he plied the host with good whiskey to keep him talking. It didn’t gain him as much reliable information to be worth the headache he had now.

“I was worried you were going to miss the party,” said Alec. “The rest of the guests showed up yesterday afternoon. You missed dinner with everyone.”

“I had planned to be here earlier, but there were… difficulties getting here.”

“I suppose I should be glad you made it at all then.”

“I would never disappoint William by missing his birthday.”

Alec’s only son was turning ten this weekend and it was an important milestone for a young man.

Charles had always felt a special connection to the young boy who was awkward and uncomfortable in social settings.

He was often quietly watching other people and making unwanted observations.

For someone so young he showed an impressive intelligence and a high level of skill at a chessboard.

“He was asking about you all day yesterday, even when he went to bed.”

That made Charles wince. “I will go find him straight away so that he will worry no more about my arrival. Perhaps I can make it up to him with a game of chess.”

“You are about the only person who gives him the slightest challenge. I wish you had never taught him the game, since he has become so obsessed with it.”

“A good mind for strategy is a fine skill for any man to have.”

“He’s not a man yet and I worry he will neglect learning the other skills he will need to be my heir.”

“Those things will come in time,” Charles had been saying that for years and each time he wasn’t sure how much he believes it. “A brilliant mind cannot be taught though.”

“I just wish he had a bit more of his mother’s charm. He often says the most unusual things.”

William often said the things that others were thinking but knew better than to put to words. Charles almost admired that about the young man, He had no guilt and no pretense, which was refreshing in society.

“Is he excited about his party?” Charles asked, getting up and crossing the room to get a glass of water left for him by a maid.

“No, he would have preferred to keep it just the family, but I felt it was important he gets some practice being around his peers.”

“So, you invited a few of your friends and their children?”

“Those are going to be the boys he will be attending school with.”

Alec had been holding back on sending William away because of his strange behavior and the loss of his mother, but next year he was going to have to go. Alec didn’t want his son to appear too coddled.

“How many tutors has he frightened away since the last time I visited?” Charles asked.

“Only two. The one he has now seems to have a magical way with him.”

That sounded promising. The previous tutors had grown frustrated quickly with the young boys strange behavior and quick intellect. They seemed almost intimidated by someone who might be smarter than they were but still too young to be man.

“Is this one smarter than the others, or just more patient?”

“Both.”

“Good man then.”

Charles noticed that Alec smirked. He often found his brother’s interest in the young boy amusing, since Charles never wanted children of his own.

“You will meet the new tutor at dinner tonight, if you are still planning to attend?”

“Why would I not be there? I came for William’s birthday.”

“Yes, but you got called away by a woman last night and you might decide to follow that temptation again.”

“I have never chosen a woman over my family.”

Alec cleared his throat and Charles found that bothered him.

“I’m here now and will be entirely focused on my nephew for the length of the party.”

“So, we get your full attention for two days? I feel so privileged.”

Charles was beginning to get irritated by the conversation and his headache was getting worse. He needed to find something to eat before it became unbearable.

“Where is my nephew?” he asked, thinking he might be able to say hello while searching for breakfast.

“He should be upstairs in the library. He enjoys a little time alone with his chessboard every morning. Helps him start his day in a better mood.”

Perhaps his brother should try it then, because Alec was clearing in a much more bitter mood today.

“I think I’m going to go find him then.”

“Don’ get lost along the way,” Alec said after him as he left.

Charles knew he meant not to get distracted by something else, since they had both grown up in this house.

It had been in their family for generations.

Charles had spent his childhood finding all the best hiding places to avoid his studies.

He had even shown his nephew a few of them.

Going upstairs, he wondered if William ever hid from his new tutor.

In the library he heard a rustling sound among the center bookshelves.

Peeking between them, he saw a pretty young girl in a soft teal day dress at the top of the ladder, trying to reach for a book but was just a bit to short for it.

He couldn’t help but admire the soft lines of her silhouette.

Every time she tried to extend her arm for it, her skirt would lift slightly to reveal she was on her tiptoes on the ladder.

Before he could warn her to be careful, Charles saw her foot slip and she swung off the ladder.

Reacting as any gentleman would, Charles rushed forward to catch her.

She landed in his arms with enough force to push him against one of the stacks.

He grunted as the weight forced the air form his lung.

“I’m so sorry!” the woman in his arms was scrambling to stand on her own while apologizing. “I can’t believe I lost my footing. I have been pulling books from these shelves for months.”

He put her down and the young lady pushed a lock of honey blond hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

The rest of her hair was still neatly pined at the back of her head.

She wore a pair of wire rimmed spectacles but had wide blue eyes behind them.

Those eyes were staring up at him in wonder.

“You saved me.” she murmured.

“I’m glad I was here at the right moment. I do enjoy being a hero.”

He was trying to put her at ease with humor, but she only appeared to br\e more anxious as she used one finger to push her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “I am here looking for my nephew. Perhaps you have seen the young birthday boy?”

She continued to stare at him in silence, a bright pink color slowly blossoming on her cheeks.

“Are you one of the guests?”

Still nothing. Now Charles was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He was about to excuse himself when movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. William was standing at the end of the aisle watching them. When Charles turned his head, he came running towards them.

“Uncle Charlie!”

For a second time he had the wind knocked out of him and William ran into his arms. Charlie wrapped his arms around the boy and hugged him. He had missed his nephew in his absence.

“Sorry I was late in my arrival.”

“It’s alright, father explained you were helping a friend.”

Charles was grateful that his brother decided to use discretion in his explanation

“I am always trying to help someone. As a matter of fact…” he turned to where the young lady had been standing but she was gone. “I just got done saving a young lady. It seems she has now disappeared.”

“That was most likely Miss Walker.”

“One of you party guests?”

William laughed. “No, she’s my tutor.”