Page 35 of The Hero

He eyed her disparagingly. “Do not take that tone with me just because you have briefly caught the interest of a gentleman of Oxford’s wealth and caliber.” He snorted. “He’ll eat you up and spit you out again, quick as you like.”

Harry felt a humiliated blush warm her cheeks as she felt her father and Robert’s gaze upon her.

“You are a presumptuous young pup,” Gideon bit out harshly.

“I am only stating the truth,” Edward dismissed before giving Harry another scathing glance. “A girl as naïve as my sister could not possibly hope to hold the Duke of Oxford’s interest as anything more than a fleeting fancy.”

Their father spoke up before Harry was able to think of a suitable set-down. “Which reminds me… I have been meaning to talk to you about your familiar behavior two nights ago in the garden, Oxford.”

“Please don’t,” Harry begged him. “Gid— The Duke of Oxford’s only reason for being here this weekend is to see that justice is served for a very great wrong done to his friend.” The blush had deepened in her cheeks after almost referring to Gideon with the familiarity of his first name.

“I saw him kissing you.”

“What?” Her uncle sounded scandalized.

“You saw us walking together in the garden,” Harry corrected her father. “Then the duke assisted me after…after a night bug had flown into my eye.” That explanation sounded lame even to her own ears. “As I have said,” she continued briskly. “The duke’s only reason for accepting my aunt and uncle’s invitation for this weekend was to further the search he and his friends have been making these past months for the person responsible for killing their friend Plymouth.”

“I was told a Frenchie did it.” Her uncle sounded puzzled.

Edward swung his foot off the arm of the chair and sat up abruptly. “I really do not see that it matters who killed him. He’s still dead.”

“Edward!” Harry snapped at his complete lack of empathy for another man’s death, and the sorrow felt by both the dead man’s friend and relative in the room. Thankfully, neither Gideon nor Robert reacted to the heartless comment.

“Nor do I see why I have to be here for this conversation,” Edward bit out in impatience.

“You are here because the Duke of Oxford requested your presence,” Harry informed him.

“I do not give a damn what the Duke of Oxford requests.” Edward scowled as he rose to his feet. “And I have warned you before, sister, do not address me in that disrespectful tone.”

Robert Granger straightened from his relaxed pose of leaning against the wall at the same time as Gideon moved to stand at Harry’s side. “Your father has already told your sister that you were the one responsible for shooting him yesterday.”

“What?” Uncle Walter gasped. “Surely not?”

“I am afraid so,” her father confirmed.

“Then it was an accident,” her uncle decided with affection. “Although you should have come forward and admitted as much,” he chided Edward. “Your aunt has been frantic with worry over this whole business.”

Gideon’s gaze remained fixed on Edward. “It was not an accident.”

“Of course, it was,” their host dismissed. “It must have been. Edward would not have meant to shoot his father.”

“Henlow?” Gideon prompted harshly.

Edward gave an impatient huff. “It is only a surface wound.”

“That did not answer my question.”

Edward glared his resentment. “It was only meant to incapacitate, not kill.”

“For what purpose?” Gideon demanded.

“I needed time to—to recoup some of the money I owe about town,” Henlow revealed impatiently. “Before the Pater got to hear of it and cut off what’s left of my allowance.”

“Edward!” their uncle reproved.

“He could have died!” Harry accused.

“Cease the dramatics, little sister. He’s still here, ain’t he?” Edward scorned.

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