if hes wicked by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online Page A

?”
    “As I said, I made a new one when I realized Beatrice had betrayed me, but I cannot be certain if it stil exists. About six months ago, during one of
    my more sober days, I had a meeting with my solicitor and I got the strongest feeling that he had been corrupted. I told myself Beatrice’s betrayal was just making me too suspicious.”
    Leo nodded. “Possibly, but probably not true in this matter. A copy?”
    “There is one at Kenwood House, but if my solicitor does not stand behind it, it may not be worth very much. In it I left much of what was not
    entailed to Edgar, my sister, or my mother.” Julian grimaced. “Even if the copy has been found, Arthur could try to do as you have suggested—declare me
    incompetent at the time it was written.”
    “It could stil serve to slow down any sales or gross thievery. It would tie their hands with al sorts of convoluted legalities. In truth, it could tie their hands in ways they have never been tied before.”
    “Of course. I have heard a few men bemoan such legal tangles from time to time. Yet, I would have thought my uncle clever enough to foresee al
    that. And Beatrice cannot believe she wil be my uncle’s countess now that I am dead. Nigel is my heir, and Arthur and Beatrice cannot marry anyway.
    Even if my uncle was not married already, he is too close a relative to me to marry my widow, is he not?”
    Leo shrugged. “So he proves your marriage is not valid. Most women would shy away from the scandal that would cause but not, I think, your wife.”
    “Sadly true, and neither she nor my uncle would care that such a thing would mark my son as a bastard.”
    “Seeing as they were wil ing to let the child die—nay. And, remember, they think the boy is long dead.”
    Julian tensed. “If Arthur plans to marry Beatrice, then my aunt Mildred may be in danger.”
    “Quite possibly,” agreed Leo, “but not to worry. I have someone watching over her and your little cousins.”
    Staring at Leo in growing wonder, Julian asked, “Someone similar to the relative you have watching over my brother in Canada?”
    “In some ways, but better and far more suitable. A mature woman who now acts as a companion to your aunt and a governess to the girls.”
    “How much protection can a mature woman be?”
    “A lot, and her two hulking sons are always close at hand.” Leo smiled. “Your aunt needed some new footmen, you see.”
    “And they al have, er, gifts?”
    Leo smiled faintly. “I know you find it al very difficult to believe, but, aye, they al have gifts, ones that wil make it nearly impossible for your uncle to hurt your aunt.”
    “I do not mean to insult you by doubting your word,” Julian said and then grimaced, knowing his doubt was indeed an insult, for it implied that Leo
    was a liar.
    “Doubt causes me no injuries. If I had not grown up with such gifts, if they did not infect my entire family like some strange plague, I am not sure I
    would easily believe in such things, either.”
    “Are you given to having visions, too?”
    “Not as Chloe does. I am not even sure you could cal what I have the sight.” Leo shrugged again. “I simply, and often abruptly, just know things.
    Sad to say, I usual y just know dark things, dangerous things. What I am very good at is knowing that someone is lying—by word, deed, or appearance.”
    “By damn, but that must be helpful.” Julian puzzled over the sadness that briefly swept over Leo’s face.
    “It is, but it is also a curse in its own way. We al lie, do we not? I have come to accept that; can even see that it is necessary at times. Due to the
    work I do for our government, king and country, I have also become very proficient in the art of lying. As a smal , sickly, homely child, however—”
    “You, sir, were never a homely child.”
    Leo nodded in silent thanks for the compliment, but continued, “I was , if only because I was so sickly, and we al know that what one looks like as a child does not always