Page 18 of Tender Blackguard

Alastair nodded but made a point of saying, “Again, I hope you’d let me know if anything changes regarding such things.”

“Of course,” she replied readily before leaning forward. “But I must admit, while my concerns regarding my brother’s safety have mostly been assuaged, I now find myself worrying about yours, cousin.”

Alastair stiffened in order to resist the urge to fidget under her steady, earnest gaze. He’d never been the object of anyone’s concern. He’d experienced distrust, disgust, fear, and a host of other similar projections from his mother. And the few servants they’d been afforded certainly hadn’t had any incentive to worry over a boy who was regarded so harshly by his own mother while being utterly neglected by his father.

“I assure you, I’m at no significant risk, my lady,” he assured, but he could tell by the sideways glance she shared with the man beside her that she wouldn’t be accepting his dismissal so easily.

As though taking a silent cue from Lady Katherine, Hale shifted his heavily muscled form to rest his elbows on his knees.

“Listen, Warfield, we know you’re going after the others in Shelbourne’s little club, and we know it won’t be an easy fight. We’re offering to help, mate.”

Alastair shook his head. “I appreciate the offer,” he replied stiffly, “but I’ve no intention of putting my cousins in any further peril.”

“Neither do I,” Hale retorted roughly. “But I haven’t the same concern for myself.”

The scowl on the other man’s brow was heavy and dark. Alastair recalled how tormented Hale had been the night Lord Shelbourne had spirited Lady Katherine away to his secret property at the edge of town. He’d fought like a man who’d lost his very heart and soul.

And it was clear he wouldn’t stop fighting until there wasn’t a single threat remaining.

“From what you’ve told us, this is too big for one man to fight, Warfield,” Hale muttered roughly.

Ignoring Hale to sip from his brandy, Alastair glanced to his cousin.

Lady Katherine’s dark eyes met his with a calm, assured intelligence. Alastair got the feeling she understood something about him he hadn’t yet decided to share. When she spoke, her voice was quiet but firm. “You are not alone in this, cousin.”

Yes, he was.

He’d always been alone. It was the only thing he knew.

“I know people with skills that could be very valuable to your endeavors,” Hale added cryptically.

Alastair could only imagine the types of skills anyone of Hale’s acquaintance might possess. He was about to argue that brute force would only be a detriment to his purpose when he recalled how Hale had managed to get Lady Katherine’s father’s journals retrieved from Shelbourne’s house the very night she was abducted and rescued.

Perhaps there was some merit to Hale’s offer.

Gideon stepped into the doorway at that moment to announce dinner. Before rising to his feet, Alastair slid his gaze back to Hale.

“I’ll think on it.”

The other man gave a low grunt Alastair didn’t bother to interpret.

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