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“I wanted to see if you needed anything. You never said what kept you earlier.”
“My hunting dog had puppies,” he replied. “I couldn’t leave my best girl all alone in her time of need.”
“You always did like animals more than humans.”
“True,” Reuben said with a laugh. “So many less rules and regulations. They never lie, animals. And they don’t expect you to know titles. You just feed them and scratch them behind the ear.”
Jasper nodded. He understood Reuben completely. It was why he himself was often in the stables. It was peaceful—there was no dissembling. The two brothers sipped their drinks in companionable silence. Jasper was glad that he’d come.
“I’ll be honest,” Jasper began. “I feel as though I’m running myself in circles, trying to find these murderers.”
“They’re not the enlisted men,” Reuben mused, nodding. “And they’re not any townsfolk?”
Jasper shook his head, his gaze on his glass, and the way that the dim light caught the cut crystal.
“Are they living in the woods, perhaps?” Reuben wondered.
“Colonel Fitz has had his men patrolling the whole county both night and day,” Jasper said. “Not a thing.”
Reuben’s brows knit together. He took a sip of his drink. “Baffling.”
“Lady Selina brought up something of interest,” Jasper said.
“Oh?”
“Evidently, while she was in Italy, a Duke was found robbing the local nobility. She believes that our culprit might be one of our own.”
Reuben’s eyes widened, and he covered his mouth with his hand. “There’s a thought.”
“I can’t think of a single person of our acquaintance who would do something so dreadful.” Jasper sipped his drink, letting the burn run down his throat. “And we’re looking forthree.”
Reuben exhaled, nodding. “It makes sense, though. Hiding in plain sight!” He clapped his hands together as an idea came to him. He held up one finger, pointing it at Jasper. “Let’s flush them out.”
“What do you mean?” Jasper asked.
“We host a ball or a party of some sort at Gillingham Manor,” Reuben said, waving his hand in the air excitedly. “Get all of the local aristocracy out of their homes. We’ll watch everyone closely. We’ll see who looks suspicious. I mean, if everyone’s out and about, covered in their jewels, whoever it is won’t be able to help themselves. We’ll have everyone travel with guards, and we’ll invite the regiments.” He shrugged. “Somebody is bound to be acting strangely. They might even make an attempt, and then we’ll be prepared to catch them at it when they do.”
“You’re brilliant,” Jasper said. It involved some risk. But it was a bold counterstroke, which might prove to be highly effective.
“I have my moments,” Reuben replied, sipping his brandy. “We’ll only be able to tell a few individuals, though. Keep it a secret, so they don’t know that we’re on to them.”
“We should tell Lord Kirby,” Jasper said. “And Stephen. Colonel Fitz, of course.”
“We should maybe tell Lord Langley,” Reuben suggested. “He’ll want to be involved.”
Jasper nodded, his mind at work, coming up with plans. He felt better already. His brother was an invaluable ally. If he ever died, he would make a good Duke of Gillingham. Not that he planned on dying.
* * *
After reading through her brother’s letter, Selina went to find Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Latimer, who were both in the withdrawing room. They looked up when she entered with the letter in hand.
“I’ve a letter from Thomas,” she announced.
“How is he doing?” Aunt Georgiana asked.
“It sounds as though he’s overstayed his welcome in the North,” she replied. “He was wondering if it would be all right if he came for the wedding.”
“Of course,” Uncle Latimer said. “Don’t know when it will be. Hopefully, it will be rescheduled soon. I’ll write to him to let him know that he’s more than welcome.”
