All the others laughed even as Wyatt’s hands clenched under the table.
“Meet back ‘ere tomorrow night.Midnight,” one of them said before he spit on the floor.“Don’t be late.”
Ralph took a large swig of his ale.“Not a problem.”
But Wyatt grimaced.He’d received an invitation today to dine with the Duke and Duchess of Durham tomorrow.He knew without asking that Priscilla was behind the invite.It was the only explanation that made sense considering his reputation as a recluse and her promise to find another way to see him.He intended to go.
But with Ralph’s new plan, there was nothing to be done for it.He’d have to leave dinner early.Much as marrying Priscilla was a priority, this business was his primary concern.
Ralph finished his ale, Wyatt doing the same as he tossed a few coins on the table.
They left again, Ralph closing the door behind them.“You’re not really going tomorrow night, are you?”
“Of course.”
Ralph started to say more but a rustle in the shadows made them both still.Wyatt peered into the dark and seeing nothing, looked at his brother to continue the conversation.
In answer, Ralph started walking the short distance to where they’d left the carriage discreetly tucked in an alley between two buildings.Once inside, Ralph gave him a fierce glare.“You’ve courting to do.”
Wyatt glared back.“I am capable of managing my schedule.You need not worry.”
Ralph scrubbed a hand through his hair, making the ends stand even straighter than normal.“Yes, I do need to worry.This is important.”
“So is routing out thieves.”
“Not more important than your future.”Ralph’s fist came down hard on his own knee.
“Why are you concerned with the title’s future?I thought you’d hate what the aristocracy represented?”
“I don’t give a damn about the aristocracy.”
Wyatt stared in complete confusion.“But you’re always going on about an heir and?—”
Ralph shook his fist.“Because you should marry.Make babies.I’m the skulk-in-the-shadows sort, Wyatt.You’re a man who should live by his heart.”
Wyatt blinked at his brother as he attempted to understand why Ralph was so upset.“If this is your way of telling me you’re better at being the Bushy Hero than me, I confess—you’re likely right.”
“No!”Ralph’s voice boomed through the carriage.“You’re a better man than me.Calm, caring, strong when you have to be but not ruled by your emotions like him…like me.”
His jaw worked as he tried to answer.“No.I’m not ruled by emotion.I’m exactly the opposite, in fact.”
“What does that mean?”
He looked down at his hands, not sure he even wanted to explain.“You said it yourself.I don’t let people in.”
“You don’t have to let everyone in.Just a few.”
Wyatt shook his head.Didn’t Ralph understand?If men like his father or those cutpurses or thieves could best him on any given day, how could he ever be a good protector to anyone?Everyone who loved him ended up hurt.Especially Ralph.“And when thieves like the ones we met tonight come to rob my house?What then?”
Ralph’s head whipped back.“You’re worried about that?”
He shook his head.“I don’t want to discuss it anymore.I’ll go to dinner and tell the duke I need to leave at half till midnight.You can wait for me in the carriage.”He swallowed down a lump.“And for the record, I’d like it stated that you should live in the light, not the shadows.You’re nothing like him and probably the best of all of us.”
Ralph, for once, didn’t argue as they rolled on in the night.
CHAPTEREIGHT
The next evening,Priscilla sat next to Wyatt at the dining table of the Duke and Duchess of Durham, attempting not to grin like a fool.
