“And yet you appear worried.”
“As if you wouldn’t worry, in my shoes.”
“Caroline, as I told you months ago, the Yard is not inclined to indict a member of the aristocracy on a charge of murder over speculation and supposition.”
She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “Yes. I know you said that. Then Annabelle came looking for you. Because itisodd, the notion of you offering aid to Gaston, a man you so vehemently disliked.”
“Of course, I disliked him. No one who knew him well liked him. The man was a blight on the earth.”
She ducked her head. “Yes, well, you’ve made your point on that score plain,ad nauseam.”
“So I have,” he admitted, gentling his tone. He had no desire to upset his sister any more than necessary. No one enjoyed hearingI told you so. “Which is why, upon being questioned by Annabelle, I explained that I did not escort him home for his sake, but for the sake of the person for whom he had been making himself a nuisance.”
She blinked at him, face going ashen. “And did you tell her who that person was?”
“No.”
“But she asked.”
“Naturally. Annabelle has an exceedingly curious nature.”
A small smile tugged at her mouth. “She does. It’s rather a delightful trait—usually.” Her smile faded. “You’re satisfied she’s not going to keep digging? That she’s not secretly plotting to see you hang?”
It occurred to him then that marriage to her, in addition to heading off scandal, would settle that score rather nicely. No wife could be called upon to testify against her husband. “Yes. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m rather tired. I only arrived from Fenwick this morning and haven’t slept. Anything else you wish to know will have to wait.”
He rose to his feet and started for the door, anticipating she would follow. It took a moment for him to realize she had not arisen from the chair.
He pivoted to face her. “Is there something that cannot wait?” As if he didn’t know.
She took a moment to smooth her skirts. “I’m just marveling over the fact you’ve finally decided on a wife.”
Her smugness needled him. “I did not decide. The choice was made for me.”
She looked up, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Really?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, my dear brother, that if you did not want to marry her, you would have found a way out of this predicament before it became one.”
Both his brows shot upward in challenge to her ludicrous claim. “Oh? And how was I to accomplish that? By kicking her out of the castle? By sending her to the local inn, on her own, knowing robbers had accosted her and might strike again? Our grandfather would have turned over in his grave.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “Youcould have taken a room elsewhere.”
He opened his mouth, then closed it with a snap.
Wearing a smug smile, she rose to her feet and strolled past him en route to the door. “I told you there was more to her.”
He ignored that. “There is one thing I should probably mention.”
With one hand on the door lever, she glanced a question over her shoulder at him.
“The wedding is to take place tomorrow.”
Her face registered shock, and she released the lever. “Tomorrow? When did you procure the license?”
“Yesterday.”
“Oh my. Someone is in a hurry.” She cocked her head as if contemplating a mystery. “I knew Annabelle was special. I never dreamed she could pull off the impossible, however.”
