Caught in a storm of emotions, not wanting her to witness or decipher them, he marched the three steps to the fireplace and stared at the empty hearth that so reflected the fruitlessness of his life. He was unwilling to accept that his quest was a waste of his time and efforts. He would never regain what he had once possessed, but by God he could at least ensure the next generation didn’t have to hang their heads in shame, that his father’s embarrassing actions were overshadowed by his own more heroic ones.
“Why now?” she asked softly, almost gently, when he would have sworn the woman didn’t possess an ounce of tenderness. “Why your interest in finding the culprits now?”
He tossed back his scotch before admitting, “I’ve been trying to find them from the beginning.”
As a result of the dangers involved in his pursuit, he’d been forced to abandon his younger brother and sister, occasionally giving them money when he secured some but for the most part leaving them to fend for themselves. Althea had worked—worked—in a tavern, for God’s sake. Until she’d crossed paths with Benedict Trewlove, and he’d offered her other employment. Eventually she’d married him, and from what Marcushad been able to gather, was blissfully happy. Before she was under the protection of Trewlove, Griff had lived with their sister, overseeing her well-being, and toiling on the docks. But once free of his responsibility to her, Griff had joined Marcus, for a short time, in his endeavors. However, his brother was not as suited to the shadows, nor did he have the patience for a resolution that was so slow in coming. He’d left to pursue his own quest and was now a club owner and husband. While Griff was willing to finance his brother’s obsession, Marcus couldn’t bring himself to take more than had already been given. Returning to the chair, he set his empty glass on the delicate table beside it, waiting until she’d once more lowered herself. “Did Father ever mention Lucifer?”
“As in the devil?”
“Possibly.” He heaved a great sigh, rife with frustration. “I don’t know. A man, a woman, a place, a thing. It’s a name that crops up from time to time.”
“In what manner? Where have you searched?”
He shouldn’t confide in her, but where was the harm, especially if he could unlock in her mind something his father might have told her? “There had to be others involved. Father didn’t have the mental acuity for strategizing. He was a follower, not a leader. Therefore, it is possible the plotters are still preparing to strike. With that in mind, I’ve been striving to hear whispers of another attempt. I began by spying on my father’s friends among the aristocracy. No joy to be found there.It occurred to me that if another noble is involved, he wouldn’t do the deed himself, but would hire someone with the skills, a dodgy background, and other misdeeds in his past. I’ve made my way through the darker corners of London, even letting it be known the Wolf was open to selling his services in hopes the schemers might hire me.”
She raised a finely arched auburn eyebrow. “The Wolf?”
“An homage to the title that should have come to me.” The Duke of Wolfford. Only later did he realize the moniker didn’t suit. Wolves traveled in packs, were part of a group, a family—while he prowled and hunted alone. “I suspect I came close to discovering something. I had to submerge myself deeper into the shadows to avoid those who wished to end my ability to breathe.”
Most women might have gasped or paled or appeared horrified, but she merely sipped her scotch, her gaze level. “You were attacked?”
“Multiple times.”
“Yet here you are.”
“Here I am.” He’d left London for a while. He’d only recently let Griff know he’d returned, but he’d never shared the details of what he was doing with Althea. Although her husband knew the darker parts of London as well, Trewlove had more pressing matters to attend to these days as he’d recently discoveredhewas heir to a dukedom.
“You must be very skilled at evading danger.”
“I’ve learned a few things, but not enough. Lucifer. Does the name mean anything to you?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“You can think of nothing that my father might have uttered when lost in the throes of passion?”
“Fucking me usually leaves men quite speechless.”
He grimaced at her crudity, but he’d set the combative tone for this meeting, and he was rather regretting that he’d taken that tack. “I deserve that.”
“Yes, you do. I have a tendency to give men what they deserve.”
A small smile played at the corner of her lips indicating she was referring to pleasure as well as comeuppance. He had the absurd thought that he wished he’d discovered her before his father had.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of help,” she said, regret lacing her words.
“Well, ithasbeen more than a year... perhaps if I’d come sooner.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Because I couldn’t stand the thought or sight of you.“I’d hoped to spare you the bother.”
He came to his feet, and she followed suit, so gracefully. At some point in her life, she’d been well tutored. “I apologize for disturbing your evening.”
“I had nothing pressing on my schedule. Should I recall something that might offer some assistance, where would I find you?”
“You shan’t. But leave a message with my brother at the Fair Ladies’ and Spare Gentlemen’s Club.” Griff owned the establishment where unmarried people sought companionship. “He’ll see that I get it.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard rumors about the Fair and Spare. It’s quite the scandalous place from what I understand. Is he working with you then?”
