Page 33 of The Hero

“The moment my father told me of his suspicions, I knew I had to seek you out and tell you,” Harry continued unhappily.

“Your father should not be left alone.”

She frowned. “Do you think he might still be in danger?”

He grimaced. “A desperate man is capable of desperate actions.”

Her expression was pained. “My aunt kindly came to sit with Papa again before I left.”

Gideon looked at her searchingly, seeing Harry’s distress in the anxiety of her gaze and the lines bracketing her nose and mouth. “The fact your brother shot your father does not mean he also killed Plymouth.”

“It shows that if he is capable of shooting his own father, he is more than capable of harming others for his own gain,” Harry insisted dully.

Yes, it did. But having now met and spent time with Henlow—and having heard the dismissive manner in which the younger man spoke to his sister—Gideon had already suspected that might be the case.

“My father wishes to speak with you.”

Gideon refocused his attention on Harry. “Did he say why?”

Her smile was humorless. “I think he considers you to be the only levelheaded and wholly impartial gentleman staying here this weekend.”

“I thought he considered me to be a pompous ass and damned arrogant?”

“I am sure that opinion has not changed,” Harry dismissed affectionately. “But he also knows that Edward’s friends would be reluctant to involve themselves in this matter. My aunt and uncle, having no children of their own, have always adored and indulged both of us. My aunt is especially fond of her niece and nephew, and as my uncle adores my aunt, he will do anything he can to ensure her happiness.”

“Which means I am to be presented as the ogre in this scenario,” Gideon drawled.

Harry gazed at him with appeal in her tear-wet eyes. “Edward cannot be allowed to simply walk away from his crimes.”

“And you?” Gideon looked at her searchingly. “How will you feel toward me after—if I am involved in proving your brother guilty of attempting to murder two people, one successfully?”

She gave a shake of her head. “You would only have proven he committed those crimes. You are not responsible for his committing them.”

“That did not answer my question.”

* * *

In truth, Harry had no idea how she was going to feel about any of this situation if it should transpire Edward had not only shot their father, but was also responsible for killing the Duke of Plymouth. All for monetary gain.

If the latter was proven, her brother would be sent to the gallows.

Brother and sister might no longer share the closeness they once had but the thought of Edward being hanged for murder was unimaginable.

She blinked back tears as she gazed up at Gideon. “I think you are asking the wrong question.”

“I am?”

Harry gave a nod. “My family will be ruined if Edward is found guilty.” Making fact of her aunt’s wailing on the subject the previous day.

“That was not a question.”

She gave a sob as she pulled her hands free of Gideon’s to step away from him. “I shall be ruined, and therefore unable to ever join Society.”

“That is still not a question.”

Tears fell unchecked down her cheeks, her hands clenched tightly together in front of her. “If that should happen we—we would no longer be allowed to be…friends.”

A frown darkened Gideon’s brow. “I shall decide who my friends are,” he announced imperiously. “In any case,” he continued, “you and I are not friends.”

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