Page 42 of A Virgin for the Cruel Duke

“I have too much taste, Stapleton.”

“You’re worried about something,” Perceval said, puffing a stream of tobacco smoke. They were seated in Stephen’s study and Perceval was now looking at the ceiling and making smoke circles with unerring accuracy. “I can see in your face that all is not well.”

“You are perceptive as ever,” Stephen said, lighting his own cigar but not drawing on it. “Barnes accepted my invitation, but I fear he has some devilry planned. He moved against me recently, and his failure may drive him to desperate heights.”

Perceval frowned, still looking upwards. “Must the hunt continue?”

“More now than before. I must have information on what he is planning next. We cannot be taken unawares, not after what nearly happened. I will not be surprised, I will not lose anyone else to the Barnes’ thirst for blood and treachery.”

Stephen took to his feet and paced up and down before his desk, his fist clenched so hard that he crushed the cigar in it. “It may get bloody, Perceval. You have a wife. You should think hard before you decide to see it through.”

Perceval stood and crossed to him, taking the burning mess of cigar from his hand and dropping it in the ash tray. “I have your back, Westall. Always.”

Stephen felt a little tension leave his shoulders and nodded at his friend. “Be careful.”

“I shall. Careful is what I do. You shall be bold and wrathful and I shall carefully follow behind preventing all who try to stab you in the back and picking up the mess.”

Stephen laughed. “Like old days?”

“Like old days,” Perceval clasped his hand. “We go into the fire.”

Barnes and Seymour arrived at the same time, around the middle of the afternoon as some of the other guests were trickling in. Stephen ensured that he was the one standing at the door to greet them as they walked up the path.

Seymour was a serious sort. If he had not been so set against Stephen’s own political plans he had often thought that they might find themselves well suited as friends, but as it was he was an annoyingly perceptive and dogged opponent. He seemed tired already of his company as Dudley trailed him to the door.

“Westall,” Seymour said with a brief nod. “Thank you for the invitation. I was delighted to accept as we are to be closer acquainted through our wives.”

“Indeed,” Stephen said with an answering nod. “I am glad of the opportunity to speak with you outside the parliament, Seymour. Welcome to Westall Estate. I see you have travelled with Lord Barnes.”

Dudley smiled at him, a slow offensively impudent smile. “We might as well have, it would have been quite foolish to take separate carriages as we were coming from the same place.”

“Of course,” Stephen said calmly, ignoring the fact that Barnes did not even nod his head. “The hunting party shall begin in earnest tomorrow, however tonight I am throwing a small dinner party. I hope you shall enjoy dining with us.”

“I shall be delighted to,” Seymour said earnestly. “I have not yet met your family, Westall, and I have heard nothing but good reports on them.”

Stephen smiled and nodded. “Carter will take you to your room,” he said, gesturing at a valet. “Dinner will be at seven, but there will be drinks in the drawing room from six. Please join us when you are comfortable.”

Carter took Seymour’s bags and led him into the house. Barnes went to follow but Stephen raised a hand to stop him.

“Lord Barnes,” he said coldly. “Not so fast if you please, sir. We have much to discuss.”

“Do we?” Dudley said insolently. “I can’t think of a single thing you could have to say that I would find at all interesting.”

“I suggest that you think hard then,” Stephen said. “I shall speak with you in private.”

“I see no need of that,” Dudley said, starting to move past him but Stephen stepped in front of him and blocked the way, lowering his voice.

“If you would rather that I speak loudly and freely now in front of all who can hear us than I shall. I have nothing to lose by doing it. Consider whether there is anything you would rather hide and follow me to my study.”

He stalked away, sure that Dudley would follow.

He did.

Once the study door was closed, Dudley took a chair and flung himself into it, lounging easily backwards. “Is there any need of such dramatics between family?” he asked.

“Is there any need for arsenic between brothers?” Stephen countered, viciously pleased as the color ebbed from Dudley’s face. “Indeed. I know all. I know everything you intended to do with your sordid little plan. I did think better of you, Barnes. I thought you at least had the nerve to attack me to my face and not hide behind a child to do so.”

Dudley gritted his teeth, his lips thinning into a white line. “What do you intend to do?”

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