Page 6 of The Bachelor

No, he didn’t care. It wasn’t his problem. LadyGwynwasn’t his problem.

Thornstock rose to acknowledge Joshua with a nod. “So, what brings Sheridan’s gamekeeper and my favorite sister here to grace me with their presence?”

“Favorite? Do you have another sister I don’t know about?” Lady Gwyn asked archly.

“I hope not. One is all I can handle.”

Joshua had seen the twins spend hours sniping at each other. He had no patience for it today. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace, but we just encountered Lionel Malet on the grounds.”

“What?” Thornstock hurried to the small window to look out. “Where? How long ago?”

Lady Gwyn leaned close to whisper, “You could have broken it to him more gently.”

“Unlike the two of you, I don’t have all day.” Joshua faced the duke. “Malet accosted your sister on the bridge near the dower house. Fortunately, I saw them and threatened him with my pistol before he could do more than that. I made sure he left the estate, but I can’t promise he won’t return.”

“It wouldn’t matter if he did.” Lady Gwyn sniffed. “We’ll be in London by then.”

“All the more reason to keep an eye on him,” Joshua said. The woman was more stubborn than greyhounds rooting out a hare.

With his brow furrowing, Thornstock strode back to the writing table. “Was Malet armed?”

“Not that I saw,” Joshua said. “He did try to steal the pistol you gave Lady Gwyn to carry for her safety.”

Thornstock’s gaze shot to Lady Gwyn, and a muscle worked in his jaw. That was proof enough for Joshua that the woman had been lying about how she had acquired her brother’s pistol.

“Did you think toloadthe pistol I gave you, Gwyn?” the duke said, with sarcastic emphasis on the word “gave.”

There was a certain defiance in the way she looked at her brother. “Of course not. Loading it would require some knowledge of how to use the thing, and you haven’t bothered to teach it to me.”

Joshua was impressed by how she’d turned her dangerous act into a fault of her brother’s. Thank God Beatrice hadn’t picked up that skill.

“Right,” Thornstock said blandly. “In that case, perhaps you should return it, because it’s always unwise to brandish a weapon you aren’t prepared to use.”

“Exactly what I told her,” Joshua said.

Thornstock smiled at him. “I see you are growing used to the fact that my sister rarely listens to what she is told.”

“Now see here—” Lady Gwyn began.

“Not to mention,” Thornstock went on, ignoring her, “that the pistol is worth a bloody fortune.”

“Then I suppose it’s a good thing I didn’t allow Malet to steal it,” Joshua said.

“Indeed.” Thornstock cast his sister an enigmatic look. “Hand it over, Gwyn.”

Lady Gwyn smiled. “Wouldn’t it be better if you simply taught me how to shoot?”

“I shudder to think of you armed to the teeth for your debut.” Thornstock held out his hand. “Give it over, Sis.”

“Oh, all right,” she grumbled, and slapped it into his hand hard enough to make him wince.

Thornstock narrowed his gaze on her. “Wolfe, would you mind giving me a few moments alone with my sister?”

Joshua bowed, glad to finally leave the twins to their own devices. “Take as much time as you need. I have work to attend to.”

But when he turned for the door, the duke said, “Actually, Wolfe, I’d like you to wait in the hall until I’ve finished my discussion with Gwyn.”

Her ladyship paled. “Why?”