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Chapter Ten
The next morning, for the first time since assuming the role of Duke, Thomas found Father’s study inviting.
Usually, the room alienated him. It felt different without Father’s old decorations, and there had never been much light to the space. Yet after last night, the world felt as though it was designed with Thomas’ interests at heart. The sky was blue, he had a mother and brother he cared for dearly, and Lady Evelina had now officially entered his life.
Thomas felt as though he had a future again. Here, in London, where he had never truly been able to see himself, despite growing up knowing he would eventually be tasked with the responsibilities of the dukedom.
He sat at the desk and began drafting the letter he’d meant to write yesterday to his man in India. It came much easier now, perhaps because he no longer felt as burdened by the pressure of finding a bride.
It was not official yet, but he felt confident that within the next few weeks, he would approach the Duke of Alderleaf to officially ask to make Lady Evelina his.
Thomas’ good mood faltered slightly, however, when Gerard entered the study without knocking, a grave look on his face.
“Brother,” Gerard said, “I’m afraid we need to have a discussion.”
Thomas sat upright in Father’s old chair and regarded his brother. Despite his joy at the events that had transpired last night with Lady Evelina, in retrospect, Gerard had acted a bit strangely. He’d shepherded Thomas away from Lady Evelina so quickly after the waltz, insisting that one of their important distributors was in attendance, and that they absolutely had to become acquainted that very moment.
It was true, one of the shop owners who purchased a good deal of their annual imports was in attendance at the ball. But given the content of their actual conversation, Thomas thought he could have met the gentleman at any point over the course of the evening, if not on a different day entirely.
“All right.” Thomas gestured to the open seat across from the desk. “What troubles you, Gerard?”
Gerard sat down, but didn’t immediately speak. He pressed his hands to his knees and stared hard at the ground, as though weighing his choice of words. At last, just before Thomas opened his mouth to prompt him again, Gerard spoke up. “Lady Evelina is an inappropriate match for you.”
Thomas pressed his lips together. “I had a feeling you were preparing to say something along those lines, though for the life of me, I cannot imagine why.”
“Do you not trust me, Brother?”
“Of course, I do. How could you ask such a thing?” Thomas was genuinely taken aback at Gerard’s defensiveness. “I am merely anxious to hear your reasoning.”
After all, Lady Evelina had been nothing but charming, and kind, and intelligent. Her family was a likewise suitable match. What information could Gerard possibly possess that might sway Thomas’ perspective?
“What do you know of the Duke of Alderleaf, Thomas?”
“I… know he is one of our primary business competitors. Though that knowledge comes only from the discussions you and I have shared, as well as what little Father shared in his letters.”
“You’re correct in everything that you’re saying. But it’s more than that.” Gerard drew in a shaky breath. “I had hoped to keep these suspicions to myself. I did not wish to burden you, especially without proof.”
“Gerard, what are you saying?”
“In the weeks leading up to Father’s death, he and the Duke of Alderleaf were in early negotiations to merge portions of our companies. After more research was done into the specific financials, Father decided to back out.” Gerard had delivered most of this to the floor, but now his eyes shot up to meet Thomas’. “The Duke of Alderleaf became bitter. I overheard him and Father arguing here, in the study, late one evening. He went so far as to threaten Father’s safety.”
Thomas’ breath caught. A significant look passed between the two brothers.
“You are suggesting…that Father’s death was not an accident?” Thomas posed at last.
Gerard sat back. The grave look had returned to his face. “Like I said before, I have no proof. Only my own intuition. Yet when I learned that it was Lady Evelina who was your mystery woman, I could not help but wonder whether she was engaging with you at the behest of her father’s interests.”
Thomas sat back, stunned.
Was it possible? He ran back through all of his interactions with Lady Evelina. Their strong rapport…the passion they’d shared—
He shivered at the very thought of a potential betrayal.
“I will look into the matter further,” Thomas said at last. “We shall get to the bottom of this, Gerard, for better or worse.”
Thomas wasn’t expecting Gerard’s look of alarm. “Thomas, to be quite frank, I would really rather you didn’t.”
“And why is that?”
“Who is to say the Duke of Alderleaf’s bitterness toward our family stops at Father?” Gerard said. “If my suspicions are correct, if you were to thwart Lady Evelina’s advances while also digging further into Father’s death—” Gerard’s voice shook. “Thomas, I have already lost Father. Do not make me fear losing you as well.”
