Page 12 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

“Without question,” Grayson said before he turned back tersely to Simon. “There comes the day when every gentleman realizes he has to pay a price for his impulses. And passions.”

Simon doubted Grayson had any idea what had occurred, and whether passion had played a part. Perhaps it had. The baying of dogs from the other side of the garden granted him another chance to deflect. He couldn’t admit his deep regard for Ravenna to a chorus of howls.

Torchlight blazed from the now-deserted Temple of Aphrodite. The flare illuminated the tall, lithe figure of Heath Boscastle as he strode across the lawn.

He stopped in front of Simon.

Simon braced himself for an interrogation that would test his mettle. “The dogs have traced the scent to the wall,” Heath said. “Does anyone know why Achilles has lost part of his shield?”

Simon cringed at the horror that struck Grayson’s face. “My statue has been damaged? How in the blazes did that happen?”

Heath hesitated before he answered his older brother. “It appears that he was shot,” he said. “I thought the noise was what brought you outside. A few of the guests heard not only a scream but a gun go off.”

By the curtness of his speech, Simon deducted that Heath had been one of those guests. He raised his hands in surrender.

“Who shoots an ancient shield during a tryst?” Grayson demanded, glowering in accusation at Simon. “I assume it was not an ardent admirer.”

“No,” Simon said grimly.

“A rival?” Grayson guessed.

“Hold on,” Heath said. “Others may have cause to hate him.”

Grayson studied Simon from the side of his eye. “Why?”

“He has made friends and enemies in high places,” Heath said. “For one thing he sponsored Sir Michael Talbot’s passage of his bill against cruel discipline in the navy. He funded an orphanage in a town populated by wealthy residents who did not wish to be reminded of poverty. He has angered more than a few gentlemen with his bluntness.”

“Men insult one another daily,” Grayson said with a cynical shrug.

“He also freely admitted to being a Queenite,” Heath added.

Simon laughed.

“What is that?” Grayson asked.

Heath sighed. “He took the side of the degraded Queen Caroline during her trial for adultery. The king invented the charge in an attempt to strip her of her crown.”

“I supported the queen,” Grayson said. “That was a popular aristocratic cause.”

“It was popular with the press and the populace, but not with the old guard,” Heath said. “The humiliated queen was not even allowed a peaceful funeral. There were protests and killings even before she was laid to rest. I recall, Grayson, you spoke up vociferously on her behalf.”

“I shall tell you what I know once we are inside,” Simon assured them. “Until then there is no need to throw another bone in the scandal broth.”