fault.”
“Used… Aaron, don’t be vulgar. I’d hardly hold it against Marjorie that she did her duty by her lawful husband as she knew him to be, though it would be decidedly awkward. I get the impression she’s fond of you.”
Aaron’s fingers tightened on his glass. “She’s too decent to give any other impression, but we’re not close. That would hardly be fashionable.”
“Hang fashion. My hesitance stems not only from reluctance to displease the lady, but also from a desire not to see her dragged into whatever ill will has been directed to me.”
The last swallow of Aaron’s drink disappeared. “You are absolutely convinced somebody tried to kill you?”
“Repeatedly,” Gabriel said. “Even as I prepared to take ship from Spain, I was set upon on the docks, twice. Both times, my attackers knew my back was weak. Were it not for the Spanish sailor’s inherent championing of the underdog, I’d be gone in truth.”
“And you were supposedly dead by then,” Aaron murmured. “A tragic victim of the convent fire.”
Gabriel stared at the crackling blaze his brother had obligingly built up for him. At this rate, the reading balcony immediately above would be a cozy place to hide, except stairs lay between it and Gabriel’s present location. “All of which means I am still a target.”
“Unless your detractor was content to have you out of Spain, but who in that country could wish you ill?”
“And who even knew I was there, except my family?”
“Complicated,” Aaron agreed. “The sooner you make your intentions known in terms of the legalities and practicalities, the sooner Marjorie can get on with her life, or her mother with a scandalous lawsuit.”
“There will be no lawsuit.”
“You’ll marry Marjorie then, if Lady Hartle insists?”
“I can’t promise that. Make sure Marjorie knows I can’t promise to wed her.”
“You make sure she knows,” Aaron said as he headed for the door. “It should be an interesting conversation, and I’m sure one of you will let me know how it goes.”
“Good night, then.” Gabriel was too tired to heed the requirement of manners and rise. “You won’t mind if I have a look at that estate book?”
Aaron waved a hand. “Do your worst, and please God, don’t neglect the ledgers. For my part, I really am glad you’re back, Gabriel. The less time I have to spend with the paperwork, the correspondence, and the damned bills, the better. You argue with George, and meet with Kettering, and dance the damned pretty at all the mandatory social events.”
“While you do what?”
“Admire my brother.” Aaron bowed, and came up smiling not quite innocently. “One other thing, Gabriel?”
“Hmm?”
“The girl, Melinda? She’s thriving.”
“I know.” Two words, but even keeping that much steady had been an effort. “Kettering told you?”
“Your will has that codicil, and he had to show it to me because I’m your executor, nominally, and then too, I think Kettering has a care for children.”
“He does. My thanks. I’ve kept an eye on her as best I could, but that hardly served.”
“Thought you’d want to know.”
Gabriel let him go, knowing Aaron hadn’t owed him that last exchange and hadn’t owed the child anything. And this was the brother Gabriel had been convinced was intent on fratricide. Increasingly, that notion seemed ludicrous.
But this business with Marjorie… A visit to Kettering was definitely in order, and soon, because even now Aaron could be getting the Hesketh heir with Marjorie, and then where would they be?
Three
Taking dinner on a tray was not an act of cowardice. Polly assured herself of this as she studied yet another botched sketch of a certain breeding sow who had been dear to the land steward at Three Springs—the former steward. To allow the Wendover family to dine in privacy the first time they sat down together since North’s return was courtesy .
Not North. He was Hesketh, the marquess