Page 120 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

He closed his eyes and sighed. If only he could see her, hear her voice, kiss her, he would recover much more quickly.

A knock sounded, and Mr. Grey stuck his head around the door. “Someone’s here to see you.”

“If it’s my mother again, please tell her I’m sleeping.”

“It’s the Duke of Burwood.”

Victor sat up straighter and braced himself. “Show him in.”

Drake strode in—every inch the duke. From the expression on his face, Victor doubted he would be allowed to continue calling the duke by his Christian name.

Victor pushed down the fear hammering at his heart. “Your Grace, forgive me for not rising.”

Without a word, Burwood took a seat on a chair near Victor’s bedside.

“May I enquire as to Miss Merrick’s health?”

Burwood continued to stare at him.

Victor resisted the urge to squirm, took a few—inconspicuous—breaths, and waited until his patience had worn out. “Your Grace?”

“I’m trying to decide whether to strangle you and finish the job the assassin started or thank you for saving my sister’s life.”

A smile tugged at Victor’s lips. “I’d prefer the latter. But please, sir. If you choose to finish me off, allow me to see Juliana one last time.”

Burwood’s gaze dropped to the sketches in Victor’s hand. “Juliana told me everything.”

Everything?Victor wisely refrained from asking questions, save but one.

“What did she say?”

“She admitted that she received a summons by an anonymous source to come here alone. Nash may join you on my list of people to deal with. He put my sister at great risk. It’s not how I expect a guest in my home to behave.”

Victor snorted a laugh. “I don’t think Lord Nash cares much for propriety or rules. And as much as it galls me to admit this, I think he accompanied her for protection.”

“Hmm. Perhaps. And Juliana admitted when she requested his assistance, he was reluctant.” Burwood paused, as if considering how to proceed. “She told me Miss Whyte was there in an attempt to convince Juliana your intentions toward her were dishonorable.”

“Has anyone spoken to Lydia?”

Burwood shook his head. “She and her family have left London for their estate in Derbyshire. I’ve sent a message demanding an explanation, but I don’t hold out much hope of a believable answer. As for the marksman, Nash said he disappeared like a puff of smoke, as if he never existed. However, I’m wondering if he was aiming for you or Juliana.”

Something niggled at the back of Victor’s mind. More to himself than the duke, Victor said, “Lydia said something about putting Juliana’s life in danger if I didn’t comply with her wishes.”

“Which were?”

“As far as Lydia knew, Juliana and I had ended our betrothal—which was a lie. She offered to state she had been mistaken about what she witnessed in the orangery with Lady Nash—as long as I didn’t mend things with Juliana. Instead, she wanted me to resume courting her.”

“But why threaten Juliana if she thought you had broken your engagement?”

“She said the person responsible forThe Muckrakerhas a personal vendetta against you.”

The duke reeled back in the chair. “Me? Did she say why?”

Victor shook his head. “She said she couldn’t reveal any more if she valued her life. Before I could ask more questions, Juliana arrived.”

Pensive, his brow furrowed and his gaze far away, Burwood sat in ominous silence.

After what seemed like several minutes, Victor plucked up his courage. “Sir? You will allow me to marry Juliana, won’t you?”

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