Page 20 of Tempting the Earl

“Since his last impassioned rejection?” Colin asked in a dry tone. “No.”

“Perhaps a visit to Wales is in order.”

Colin considered it. “You might be right. But not until our sister is settled. I’d like to make the most of her visit.”

“Agreed. But this time, I go with you.”

Colin decided an argument on that point could wait for a later date.

Besides, it didn’t seem like his brother expected a reply as he went on to ask, “And the boy? Any news on his whereabouts?”

“Not yet.”

There was a pause. “I understand Nightshade is leading the investigation.”

Colin eyed his brother sharply. “How did you know about him?”

“Don’t worry,” Roderick replied. “The man is extremely discreet. I just happen to be very well connected.”

Colin couldn’t doubt it. His brother had to be considering the success of his club and his personal investments. Roderick Bentley had friends in all levels of society and all around London.

“Not that it does me any good,” Roderick muttered under his breath, “when the rotter won’t tell me a damned thing.”

“Excuse me?” Colin asked. Was his brother personally acquainted with the mysterious investigator?

Before he’d hired Nightshade to help track down the current whereabouts of his siblings, he’d done his own careful investigation into the mysterious man for hire. His identity had proven to be a very carefully guarded secret. To remain anonymous in a town like London was no mean feat. It had gone a long way toward convincing Colin that Nightshade would be as circumspect as he claimed.

“Never mind,” Roderick mumbled quickly in response. “Has he gotten any closer to finding our brother?”

“I’m expecting him to provide an updated report very soon,” Colin replied. “But I’m not terribly hopeful.”

Roderick’s features were tense as he nodded. Then, with a flourish, he tipped back the rest of his brandy before rising smoothly to his feet. “Wednesday, then.”

When Colin stood as well, the two brothers—nearly equal in height and build with the same blue eyes, though Roderick was dark where Colin was fair—briefly assessed each other.

Then Roderick flashed another testing grin. “Don’t worry, Wright. Even if our sister ends up liking me better, you’ll still have the earldom.”

Colin narrowed his gaze as a dark oath slid from his lips.

Roderick just laughed. “There it is. I’m getting better and better at finding and exploiting the chinks in that elegant armor of yours. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll no longer have to try.”

Then he simply grinned as he clapped Colin on the shoulder before striding boldly from the room.

Chapter Eight

Ainsworth tied the ribbons of her bonnet beneath her chin with a few whispered oaths. She hated bonnets. But apparently, ladies did not go strolling through Hyde Park without one. And she was really looking forward to their walk that morning.

After spending a night of heavenly slumber in the ridiculously comfortable bed, she was ready for exercise and fresh air. A glance out the window revealed a misty fog had settled over the city during the night, but it wasn’t nearly enough to deter her.

Nor Caillie, it appeared, who skipped into the sitting room from her bedroom, looking as impatient as Ainsworth was to be outdoors.

“Are we ready?” Caillie asked.

“Just about.” When Bramble excitedly circled the lass’s feet, likely sensing the adventure ahead, Ainsworth added a quick reminder, “Dinnae forget to put him on a leash. We wouldnae want him wandering off and getting lost.”

“But Bramble never wanders off,” the girl argued. “He’s going to hate the leash.”

“He wanders off all the time,” Ainsworth corrected. “You just dinnae make note of it because he’s familiar with Faeglen and he always comes back. But London is different. We have to do things differently here. Whether we like it or not,” she added under her breath as she tugged at her offending bonnet.

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