A Rake's Vow by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page A

their set faces, then sighed and waved them back. “In Minnie’s room.” He took Minnie’s arm, concerned when he felt how heavily she leaned on him. He was tempted to carry her, but knew her pride of old. So he matched his pace to hers. By the time they reached her rooms, Timms had the fire blazing and Patience had plumped the cushions in Minnie’s chair. Vane helped her to it and she sank down with a weary sigh.
    “It wasn’t Gerrard.”
    The trenchant statement came from Timms. “I can’t abide how they all cast suspicion his way. They’re making him a scapegoat.”
    Minnie nodded. Patience simply met Vane’s eyes. She stood by Minnie’s chair, head up, hands clasped too tightly before her, daring him to accuse her brother.
    Vane’s lips twisted wryly. “He was waiting for me.” Strolling forward, he took up his customary position, shoulders propped against the mantelpiece. “Which, the last time I checked, wasn’t a crime.”
    Timms sniffed. “Exactly so. That much was obvious.”
    “If we’re agreed on that, then I suggest we forget the incident. There’s no way I can see to link it to anyone.”
    “Masters couldn’t fault any of the other alibis.” Patience lifted her chin when Vane looked her way. “I asked him.”
    Vane regarded her for a moment, then nodded. “So tonight has revealed nothing—there’s nothing more to do but head for bed.”
    He kept his eyes on Patience’s face; after a moment, she inclined her head. “As you say.” She bent down to Minnie. “If you don’t need me, ma’am?”
    Minnie forced a tired smile. “No, my love.” She clasped Patience’s hand. “Timms will take care of me.”
    Patience kissed Minnie’s cheek. Straightening, she exchanged a conspiratorial look with Timms, then glided to the door. Vane fell in in her wake, reaching around her as she halted before the door to open it. Their positions were the same as they’d been that afternoon, when he’d deliberately discomposed her. This time it was she who hesitated, then glanced up, into his face. “You don’t believe it was Gerrard.”
    Half question, half statement. Vane held her gaze, then shook his head. “I know it wasn’t Gerrard. Your brother couldn’t lie to save himself—and he didn’t try.”
    Briefly, she searched his eyes, then inclined her head. Vane opened the door, closed it behind her, then headed back to the fire.
    “Well,” Minnie sighed. “Will you take on my commission?”
    Vane looked down at her and let his Cynster smile show. “After that little interlude, how could I refuse?” How indeed.
    “Thank heavens!” Timms declared. “Lord knows we need a little sound sense around here.”
    Vane stored that comment up in case of later need—he suspected Patience Debbington thought she had the sound sense market cornered. “I’ll start nosing around tomorrow. Until then—” He looked at Minnie. “As I said, it would be best to forget about tonight.”
    Minnie smiled. “Knowing you’ll be staying will be enough to ease my mind.”
    “Good.” With a nod, Vane straightened and turned.
    “Oh—ah, Vane . . . ?”
    He glanced back, one brow rising, but didn’t halt in his progress to the door. “I know—but don’t ask me for a promise I won’t keep.”
    Minnie frowned. “Just take care of yourself—I wouldn’t want to have to face your mother if you break a leg, or, worse yet, your head.”
    “Rest assured—I don’t intend to break either.” Vane glanced back from the door, one brow arrogantly high. “As you’ve no doubt heard, we Cynsters are invincible.”
    With a rakish grin, he left; Minnie watched the door close. Reluctantly smiling, she tugged at her slipping shawls. “Invincible? Huh!”
    Timms came to help. “Given all seven of the present generation returned from Waterloo, unscathed and with nary a scratch, I’d say they have some claim to the title.”
    Minnie made a distinctly rude sound. “I’ve known Vane and Devil from the