Page 43 of All My Broken Dreams

“Revenge,” Deacon said quietly.

His uncle met his eyes. “Do you fault me? Bryan Stewart robbed me of my life.”

“You know I don’t, Uncle. But with Harry dead, none of it matters anymore. Is it worth risking your freedom for this?”

“Harry cannot inherit. But his sister can. In the event Harry Stewart dies before he turns twenty-five, the trust will be released to the next in line. Miss Rowena Listowel. Sarah Stewart’s daughter.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reginald gave out a low whistle. “What the actual fuck?”

“Miss Listowel is about to learn that her brother is dead and she is next in line to inherit a vast estate.”

“What about Sarah Stewart? Won’t she fight for possession?”

Alastair shook his head. “Bryan Stewart made it clear that his sister was not to receive a nickel. She was cut out of the will in favor of the next generation. Her son first and then her daughter but the claim cannot go backwards.”

Phillip’s brow creased. “Sir, we regret what happened but we are not responsible for Harry’s death.”

“Rowena Listowel is going to be on the next flight home as soon as she hears the news,” Reginald said. “It’s unfortunate, but if you told us what you had planned, we would have kept a closer eye on Harry at Arran.”

Alastair’s great fist pounded on the table. “I should not have had to tell you anything! He was my son. For that reason alone, he should have received close attention. I mean to getthat estate–it is my right–it is what I am owed and I will not be thwarted a third time!”

In a calmer tone, he turned to Deacon. “Tell me about the girl.”

Deacon flushed, recalling the night he’d spent with her in bed. “Robbie is not leaving. Here is why.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the mug he had taken from Harry’s flat on his way out this morning. There was a quote on the side that he didn’t understand but the others might.

“It’s fromTo Kill a Mockingbird,” Millicent said. “Scout says it in reference to her brother, Jem. ‘Thus began our longest journey.’ It could be a message.”

“That’s how she took it. She believes Harry left it for her to find.”

“It’s the kind of shitty thing he would do,” said Reginald. “Listowel was never going to give us a chance to make amends. He was going to the police to turn us in. Taking him to Arran Isle was for his protection as much as it was for ours.”

“He killed himself so I don’t see how he was protected.”

Casey lifted the mug from Deacon’s hands. “I’ll hold onto this. We can’t have any loose ends. Cousin, I’m concerned you’re taking your role of shadowing Robbie Listowel a little too seriously. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her.”

“At Alastair’s request,” he said roughly. “What’s it to you?”

“You haven’t ever felt tempted to spill our secrets, have you? You could be forgiven for wanting to impress her by bragging about your connections. She is not unattractive, though she is far out of your class. It must be galling,watching her every move, knowing she wouldn’t give you the time of day if you met socially.”

She would give him more than the time of day, thought Deacon. “I don’t give a fuck about her, Casey. The sooner shelearns of Harry’s death, the sooner she’ll be gone and no longer my responsibility.” He turned to Alastair. “When do you want me to tell her?”

“I don’t.” Alastair propped his elbows on the table. “I have plans for Miss Listowel. Don’t say or do anything to warn her or alarm her. Casey is right about one thing. Do not get attached to her, Deacon. She is not for you. Do you understand?”

His flesh crawled with heat and he lashed out. “I’ve said my peace on the subject. I don’t need to hear it twice. I’m not in any danger of mistaking Robbie Listowel for anything but a nuisance. If you have a use for her, uncle, you’ll not hear an objection from me. Just leave me out of it. I want no part of whatever scheme you have in mind.”

Rage made him awkward. He moved clumsily to the door, his hands balling to fists at his sides.

“Where are you going? This meeting is not over!”

“I have work to do,” he snarled and stalked out.

She was an heiress now. Soon she would be one of them and when she passed him in the street, she would blush and pretend not to know him. The time he had with her was coming to an end, as he knew it would eventually. He just didn’t think it would be this soon or that it would end like this.

Whatever Alastair had planned for Robbie, it would have something to do with seizing ownership of the Stewart estate.

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