Page 67 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Oh, of course. Drake’s Uncle Forbes’s son.She’d been so wrapped up in her own thoughts. Her cheeks warmed that it had taken her a moment to make the connection.

“They found him?”

“At the gaming hell.” Miss Price lowered her voice once more. “Heownsit. Can you imagine?” She shook her head and tsked her apparent disapproval.

“Well, I think that’s wonderful. Very enterprising of him.”

Mercifully, Miss Price finally finished with Juliana’s hair and left. Wandering down to the breakfast room, Juliana stopped short when Adalyn exited the blue parlor.

“Good morning, Juliana. If you would excuse me, I’m told Benjamin is upset about something and refuses to be quieted by anyone except me. I worry Nash and I spoil him.”

Juliana muttered, “Of course,” as Adalyn raced off in a blur.

Voices echoed from the room Adalyn had just left.

“Are you certain you want to do that, Your Grace?” Nash’s deep voice cautioned.

“Why not? He’s family.”

Curious to learn more about Drake’s cousin, Juliana postponed her breakfast and entered the room. “Good morning. Miss Price told me about Mr. Grey. Well, that you’d found him. If she said anything else, I’m afraid I wasn’t paying much attention.”

The three men, Drake, Simon, and Nash, rose in greeting. Trifle, Charlotte’s kitten, who had been curled up in Simon’s lap, meowed in protest at being disturbed. Honoria placed her teacup on her saucer and gave a little laugh. “One’s mind does drift when Susan begins her nattering.”

Once seated next to Honoria, Juliana listened as Drake relayed how they discovered that Miles ownedThe Knave of Hearts.

“We should get special privileges,” Simon said and received a glare from Charlotte.

“You already cheat. You’re lucky he doesn’t throw you out and ban you completely.”

“Me?” Simon placed a hand on his heart, his expression one of innocence, eliciting laughs from everyone who knew him well.

Juliana accepted a cup of tea from Honoria. “But how did you find out he is your cousin?”

Drake shook his head. “It’s hard to explain. But I had this uncanny sensation that we were connected somehow. And of course, there are his eyes. Amber like mine.”

Simon plucked Trifle off his trouser leg and settled her back on his lap. “The first time I saw him, I knew there was something familiar about him. But of course, it was my wedding day, and I was so madly in love, I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Charlotte gave an unladylike snort.

Nash straightened. “You went to a gaming hell on your wedding night? And I thought I liked you.” He grinned. “But of course, with Charlotte as a bride...”

Simon slapped his knee and guffawed.

Drake’s expression turned sheepish as his gaze met Juliana’s. “I’ve invited Miles to the ball. I don’t know if he will accept; he seemed reluctant. I know I should have asked you, but I’d had a little too much to drink and...well...”

Juliana turned toward Nash. “You think it’s inadvisable?”

Nash shrugged. “Members of thetondon’t normally accept by-blows at their formal gatherings. Expect some talk, fodder for the scandal sheets.”

“It might prove to our advantage,” Honoria said. “If Mr. Grey’s connection to Drake is revealed within hearing of one of the suspects.”

“Good luck trying to catch the culprit ofThe Muckraker,” Nash said. “He’s as slippery as an eel.”

“But what about Mr. Grey?” Juliana frowned. “To use information about him as bait seems cruel.”

“Miles doesn’t care about his reputation,” Drake said. “In fact, he told me it might boost business. His reluctance in attending the ball isn’t because he’s worried about himself. Victor had some misgivings, and Miles didn’t want to ruin your evening, Juliana.”

“Victor was concerned?” Sudden warmth flowed like honey through her veins.

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