She stepped away, her brow furrowed. “William, what is wrong? You do not seem yourself.” She looked between Nick and her relatives.
Nick was tongue-tied. The young lady, Georgiana, was a rose-scented angel. He recoiled, lest he tarnish her with an ill-spoken word or impolite gesture. He wasn’t worthy of her company.
The earl wrapped his hand around her elbow, steering her closer to them. Away from Nick. Gently, he said, “Georgiana, this is Mr. Nicholas Blackburne. Mr. Blackburne, this is Miss Georgiana Darcy.” He took a deep breath. “Your little sister.”
Georgiana’s neck snapped back and forth between them. “Uncle, why do you call William by another name? I am not blind.”
The poor girl was so confused. Nick was too, but it pained him to see the bewilderment etched on her innocent face. He stuck out his hand. Then, thinking better of the gesture, he bowed. He felt like a fool not knowing how to greet a proper young lady, but he did his best. “Name’s Nick, Miss. Yer uncle and cousin think we might be related.” After seeing the portrait, he was more inclined to agree with them, but he was still managing his own shock.
“A twin?” she whispered. She was quick, Nick thought proudly.
The earl nodded. “That is what we aim to discover.”
Georgiana looked up at Nick in awe, as though she were seeing flowers for the first time inages. She gave him a shy smile that did funny things to his heart. “I have another brother!”
Nick felt the honor of her comment and the surge of panic. He would have to be on his best behavior around her. She was arealyoung lady, the sort respectable folks kept away from the likes of him. He was rough and ill-mannered, a rogue of the sea. Shame filled him. He said to the gentlemen, “She shouldn’t be in me company. I’m not … I don’t talk right, and I’ll forget me manners.”
The earl eyed him again, taking his time and adding to Nick’s discomfort. “I think you shall do. The bonds of blood run deeper than you are aware.”
Nick was not so certain. Tigers couldn’t change their stripes.
“Besides,” the earl continued in a lighter tone, “Richard shall stick to your side and make sure you stay out of trouble.”
The colonel bowed his head, a twinkle in his eye. “I have never chaperoned a … shall we call you aprivateercaptain? … before.”
Their levity appeased Nick.
The butler appeared like a ghost in the doorway, startling Nick when he spoke. “Mr. Jonathan Connell demands to see you, sir.”
“Demands?” boomed the earl. To the colonel, he asked, “He is the thief-taker?”
Richard nodded.
Nick tugged at his cravat, his back slick with sweat.Connell would be a problem. Thief-takers gained rewards for the criminals they arrested only after their prey was convicted and sentenced. From the moment they landed, Connell would have been gathering enough evidence with which to bury Nick before a jury. After tracking him across the Atlantic, Connell would stop at nothing until Nick dangled from a short rope.
Georgiana clasped her uncle’s arm. “He cannot take my brother away when we have only just found him! You cannot allow it, Uncle!”
The earl said in a firm tone to the butler, “I am not taking calls today. Until Mr. Connell learns a measure of respect, he shall not get an audience with me … or anyone else in my household.” He looked pointedly at Nick.
Never in his life had anyone protected him like these folks. Nick’s throat swelled, and he reached up to pull the blasted cravat away again.
The butler disappeared as quietly as he had come.
In a low voice, the earl said, “It was no small feat to have you released into my custody. You have quite a reputation.”
Nick blushed. He hoped Georgiana hadn’t read any of his stories or heard any of the songs. He didn’t want her to be scared of him.
“Richard tells me you have already taken measures to leave your previous profession. Is this true?”
Nick clasped his hands in front ofhim and bowed his head, feeling as though he was on trial. “Aye, Me Lord, I have,” he answered honestly.
“Do I have your word of honor that you will do nothing to make me regret my decision to offer you my protection?”
While a part of Nick rebelled at the unsolicited assistance, he was a rational man. He knew when he needed help. Were it not for Lord Matlock, he’d still be in prison.
And his curiosity was growing. If he had a family, he’d like to know them. He’d like them to be like the people standing with him in the portrait gallery.
And, since Nick was being completely honest with himself, he knew better than to turn down baths and food when prison was his alternative.
