Page 40 of Two Secrets to Surrender (Blackwood Legacy #2)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

T hey arrived at Bottoms House a bit past one. Luckily, everyone had gotten a late start, and James and Evie had yet to make an appearance. Seated beside his wife in the drawing room, Conrad was trying very hard to focus on what Constable Rawlins was saying. Gigi’s nearness kept distracting him. One would think that their quick, but passionate tumble this morning would have sated him. Instead, it had the opposite effect. He had a raging appetite for his wife, and it didn’t help that her fragrance teased his nostrils and the sight of her pretty mouth crowded his head with filthy thoughts.

He reflected that one thing hadn’t changed between them and probably never would. When it came to Gigi, he would always be a beast. He was lucky that she liked their games as much as he did. In fact, he had new amusements he was dying to show her…

Catching the Marquess of Blackwood’s gaze fixed upon him, Conrad hastily shoved his thoughts back into the gutter from whence they came. By Jove, his father-in-law was like a bloodhound trained to sniff out impropriety. If he were perfectly honest, he found Blackwood slightly intimidating. He hadn’t met many men who were loving husbands and doting papas, who conducted themselves with honor in their public and personal lives. In truth, he’d never had what he would consider a role model. He wouldn’t mind learning a thing or two from Marcus Harrington.

“Now, then,” Rawlins was saying. “As I mentioned last night, during our sweep of the mill, my team and I discovered a hidden chamber filled with valuables. This morning, I matched those valuables to the list of unrecovered goods stolen by the Corrigans. I interrogated the gang members currently serving sentences, and one of them sang like a bird. Apparently, that stash was supposed to be their pension after they were released from gaol. Moreover, the hiding place of the goods wasn’t random; it was the result of an agreement between their leader and Abel Pearce.”

“Mr. Pearce was abetting the Corrigans?” Gigi said with a gasp.

Rawlins nodded. “In exchange, he received a small percentage of the profits. Based on this information, I wish to search Pearce’s former properties…with your permission, Mr. Godwin, as the new owner.”

“You have it,” Conrad said.

“I cannot believe Mr. Pearce was in cahoots with those dreadful Corrigans, who wreaked such havoc and destruction in Chuddums.” Xenia huffed with outrage. “Wait until the villagers hear about this?—”

“The news has already spread.” Rawlins cleared his throat. “As we speak, there is a melee in the village square.”

Gigi canted her head. “What is going on there?”

“As an officer of the law, I cannot condone the destruction of public property. In this case, however, it could be said that the public is acting in its own best interest and removing what many consider an eyesore.”

“The monument to Pearce,” Conrad said, bemused. “They are removing it?”

“That is one way to put it, sir.” Rawlins raised his brows. “I believe the goal is to smash it to smithereens and use the granite bits to pave a new path through the green.”

I’ll be damned. Maybe there is justice after all.

After Rawlins headed off, Gigi patted Conrad’s arm.

“See, darling?” she said brightly. “Things have a way of working out as they ought to.”

“I’ll say.” He smiled slowly. “Is it bad that I shall enjoy walking over Abel Pearce every time I cross the green?”

“Better than the alternative of allowing that monument to stand.” Ethan grimaced. “I thought I would never hear the end of it, especially from James.”

“Speaking of James,” the marchioness said. “Has anyone seen him or Evie this morning?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Conrad had an inkling of what was delaying the couple, but as he was currently courting the family’s favor, he thought it wise to keep it to himself.

“Well, it is nice to see them together.” The marchioness smiled. “To see all my children happy.”

When she included Conrad in her warm, maternal gaze, he felt a pleasant jolt.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Gigi piped up. “Wait until you see the plans Conrad has drawn up for Chuddums?—”

“You deserve the credit, love.” He kissed her hand, seeing with satisfaction that his ring was back where it belonged, sparkling upon her finger. “From the start, you recognized the potential of Chuddums and have been its steadfast champion. Your scheme with the water has already brought recognition to the village, and I am merely following your example.”

“A toast,” her mama proposed, raising her teacup. “To Gigi, who is, and has always been, a force to be reckoned with.”

Gigi glowed as they clinked their cups in her honor.

“Thank you,” she said. “But, truly, you must see Conrad’s vision for the village. He plans to clean up the docklands and build a theatre?—”

“A theatre? Really, Godwin?” Ethan gave him an exasperated look. “Is there no limit to your husbandly generosity?”

“Not when it comes to Gigi,” Conrad said. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”

The Marquess of Blackwood sighed, addressing him for the first time today.

“A word of advice.”

“Yes, sir?” Conrad said warily.

“There is nothing wrong with indulging one’s wife. But mind you don’t spoil the chit,” the marquess said severely.

“Papa,” Gigi protested.

But Conrad took the gleam of amusement in her papa’s eyes as a good sign.

At that moment, James came in. He was alone.

“Good afternoon, dear. Where is Evie?” the marchioness asked.

Conrad didn’t know James very well, but he was no stranger to male frustration.

“Evie’s gone,” James said in flat tones. “She left early this morning.”