Page 88 of The Viscount of Shadows

Oliver took the stairs two at a time. He turned the handle and entered. The room was encased in darkness. Oliver immediately strode over to the draperies and pulled them open, allowing sunshine to pour into the room.

Bryan groaned as he sat upright, his eyes blinking rapidly, adjusting to the light. Oliver took the damask dressing gown from the foot of the bed and tossed it to his brother. “Put it on. We have to talk.”

Bryan turned slightly to slip it on. There were bruises down his left side.

“Wait.” Oliver strode over, then leaned in to inspect it. “Danaher?”

“I am surprised Hornsby didn’t tell you after he examined me last night. One of Danaher’s men when he brought me water and bread. He kicked me twice, calling me a sniveling toff with no guts or gumption.’ He’s not wrong.”

“No, he isn’t.” Oliver dragged over a chair and sat on it. “Is that all they did?”

“I wasn’t violated, if that is what you mean,” Bryan replied bluntly. Then he exhaled a shuddering breath. “They put me in a dark hole,” he whispered miserably.

“I am sorry. I know you don’t like it.”

“Like it? I nearly went mad. I was barely in there twenty-four hours, but it felt like twenty-four days. Thank you for coming for me. Did you pay him?”

“No. There was a fight; the oil lamp was knocked to the floor, and the rotten wood ignited. The burning building fell on him. A corpse was found. The police believe it is Danaher, though no identification can be feasibly done as you can imagine.”

“It is all a blur. Rett was there?”

“Yes, and Claudia, my fiancée. You have missed quite a lot while you wallowed in dissipation, but we can place all that in the past. Mother, Father, Grandmother and the rest of the family need never know what depths you sunk to or about being held for ransom. I will keep your secret on one condition.”

“What?”

“That you become a functioning member of this family. Tomorrow, I want you to seek out these solicitor offices,” Oliver took a folded piece of paper from his coat. “Pick one for your apprenticeship. Then, you will serve in the free law clinics for six months as you work toward your Postgraduate Certificate in Laws. No more immersing yourself in vice, alone or those with a deviant bent. No opium or heavy drinking. Understood?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Oliver crossed his arms. “No. Your selfishness ends here.”

“I have acted as an egocentric, entitled bastard. I am sorry. May I never see Shinwell again. He gave me up and left me there. Told Danaher where to find you. I will do as you say.”

“Yes, you will. Unless you want to be sent to the Hertfordshire Sanitorium.” Oliver’s look softened. “You are my brother, and I love you. If anything was ever to happen to you—” Oliver cleared his throat and passed Bryan the list. “Do this because you want to do it. Not because I am forcing you.”

“I want to do this.”

“Good. And I wish you to stay with Rett while I am away. You can look after Caramel, my cat.”

“Cat?”

“As I said, you’ve missed quite a bit. I received a telegram from Father. He and Mother will be here in seven days. Let me ring for luncheon, and we can discuss how you can assist me in planning this small but whirlwind wedding.”

Bryan nodded. “Yes. I can eat now.”

Oliver stood and strode to the bellpull.

“And Oliver?” Bryan said. “I love you, too. Thank you.”

And seven days later…

After discovering a civil wedding ceremony had stricter rules concerning wait times for obtaining a license than most churches, Claudia and Oliver opted for a special license within the Church of England. By the time his parents arrived, all the rapid preparation had occurred.

It was a small gathering that bright autumn morning with Oliver’s parents, his cousins Rett and Ronan, and his brother Bryan. On Claudia’s side, Olivia and Gideon, Aunt Mirella, and Edwina Callen attended. Gideon had walked her down the aisle. They had hoped Mitchell would recover enough to attend, but he developed an infection which prolonged his recovery. They did stop by and see him briefly yesterday, and he wished them well. Claudia and Oliver vowed to stay in touch while they were away on their honeymoon trip. Otherwise, they decided to keep the ceremony small and intimate, and their friends within The Rakes and the Galway Agency said they understood and wished them well.

Claudia could not believe it as she stood staring into Oliver’s lovely green-gray eyes. The love that radiated from them caused her heart to soar. It felt as if she were in a fairy tale. The vicar’s words faded into the background. All she could see and feel was Oliver, so handsome in his black dress suit with a boutonniere of lavender Michaelmas daisies, which matched her bouquet.

As for her dress, her wedding attire consisted of the gold gown she had worn the night she found Oliver in Berkley Square and declared her love. Olivia had a shimmering gold veil made for her in record time. Never has she felt so beautiful.