Page 101 of Noble Scoundrel

Warfield’s blue eyes were a striking contrast to his black hair and slightly swarthy complexion as he met her steady stare. “I understand your curiosity and concern, my lady, but it is the nature of some questions to go unanswered.”

Before she could respond to the cryptic statement, Mason leaned forward to rest his forearms atop his knees. “Last night, you mentioned you’d been spying on the Blackwells to ensure they weren’t in danger. Why’d you suspect they might be?”

Warfield’s black brows furrowed over his gaze. “I wasn’t spying, Mr. Hale,” he noted, which earned a quick grunt of disbelief from Mason. “I simply observed them once or twice when my...other interests crossed paths with their location.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Mason questioned.

“And you’ve evaded the point of the question, my lord,” Katherine added in a firm tone. “I think we deserve some true answers.”

Warfield hesitated as his attention flickered briefly to Frederick, who sat calm and resolute, his intelligent eyes assessing as he listened to the conversation. “It’s not exactly a tale for children.”

Katherine met her brother’s gaze as she thought of everything he’d been through. Looking back to Warfield, she noted sternly and confidently, “My brother has been through a great deal over the last year. Even if he were not wise and mature beyond his years, I believe he’s earned the right to a full understanding of what was behind the actions committed against him.”

The marquess narrowed his gaze at her response, then glanced briefly to Mason before settling his attention on Frederick. There was an intense look in his eyes for a moment, then he glanced back to Katherine and Mason before releasing a sigh of resignation.

“I assume you already know the prior marquess died some months ago in Venice, but you’re likely not aware that I was also in Italy at that time. The day of his death, I’d gone to his villa, hoping to speak with him on a...personal matter.”

A chill swept up Katherine’s nape at the way Warfield’s voice darkened with the last words. She glanced to her brother. His keen focus was riveted on the marquess.

“While I was awaiting an audience, I happened to overhear the marquess with another visitor in the next room.” He looked pointedly at Katherine. “Lord Shelbourne. They were discussing your father’s work and his recent death in a fire.” His attention shifted to Frederick. “It was Warfield who first mentioned you. At the time, I had no context for the conversation, and I admit to being distracted by my own purpose in traveling to Venice.”

Katherine did not miss how her cousin never referred to the prior marquess as Father, using only his name or title.

“I suspect you’ll be getting to the point soon, Warfield,” Mason interjected.

The marquess returned the other man’s stare before turning back to Katherine. “When I was advised the next day that the marquess had been found deceased, I was less than prepared for the sudden alteration of my circumstances.” He glanced down for a moment, as though needing to shield his thoughts. When he looked up again, his eyes were unreadable. “I apologize, but I didn’t even think of you or your brother again until I’d obtained more context for the conversation I’d overheard. Once I understood more of what Shelbourne and Warfield had been involved in...I realized the two of you were potentially in danger.”

“What exactly were they involved in?” Katherine asked, though her body went cold and tense in preparation for his reply. She was certain the answer would not be pleasant.

His gaze flickered to Frederick before the marquess replied, “They were lifetime members of a very exclusive club—or brotherhood, as they called themselves. There are a dozen men in all who form this brotherhood. Every one of them very rich, very powerful, and absolutely evil.”

The icy chill Katherine had been resisting danced down her spine. She glanced quickly to her brother and noted his expression of intense curiosity. She wished she had his courage at that moment.

“I reckon they weren’t engaging in weekly sewing circles,” Mason offered darkly.

Warfield gave a discordant laugh as he lowered his chin. “It’s all you could imagine and worse. Malevolent practices. Rape. Murder. Carried out over decades with total impunity.”

Though she felt she knew the answer, she still had to ask. “My father?”

Warfield’s focus flew swiftly back to her. “Just a pawn, Lady Katherine. He had no idea what he was involved in.”

She glanced to Mason. “I think he suspected. Near the end.”

The marquess shifted in his seat, leaning forward to meet her gaze with a sharp and poignant stare. “The brotherhood and all its members will be destroyed. Lord Shelbourne’s death last night marked the beginning of their end. I intend to ensure that end comes quickly and completely.”

“It sounds like you have a personal stake in the fate of this brotherhood,” Frederick noted evenly, speaking for the first time since Warfield began his explanation. “Something that goes beyond your father’s involvement.”

A shadow flickered in the marquess’s pale blue eyes. “I do.”

Frederick tilted his head. “I suspect it involves the circumstances of your birth?”

The cold curve of Warfield’s mouth couldn’t quite count as a smile. “Not my birth so much as my conception. As I said, the wickedness of the past shall be rectified.”

Warfield’s vow left no room for question or debate. It was clear he intended to do exactly as he declared.

Sharing a quick look with her brother, Katherine leaned forward. “If there’s anything we can do...”

“No, my lady.” Warfield shook his head. “You and His Grace have been pulled too far into it already. Aside from the prior marquess and Shelbourne, it’s highly doubtful any of the other members knew of Shelbourne’s activities involving your family. It would go against their code. I’ve learned that the brotherhood’s existence relies upon very strict rules of secrecy. Even amongst themselves. I don’t believe you need to worry of any further attention from the brotherhood.”

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