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Gerard’s face flushed deeper. “No. Of course not. It’s the changing of the seasons; all sort of nonsense is floating in the air, making my eyes itch.” With a flurry of irritation, he added, “Besides, we are discussing you—Iam not the one bleeding.”
If whatever was bothering his brother was not life and death, it probably was best to leave it be for now.
“Very well.” Thomas motioned for Gerard to take a seat, while he went around to the other side of the desk. He took a deep breath. “This afternoon, my carriage was set upon by bandits and attacked. The footman vanished in the aftermath, as did the assailants. I was fortunate to be rescued by a local physician—had it not been for him, I easily may have been killed.”
Gerard had stopped breathing entirely. He’d gone very, very still. “Just like Father.”
“It gets even more uncanny. Not only was it the same manner of attack that took Father’s life, according to the Constable that took my statement, the attack took place in the very same alley.”
Gerard’s eyes widened. Thomas nodded, further acknowledging the terrifying absurdity of the situation.
“What do you make of all this?” Gerard managed at last, strained.
Thomas sat back in Father’s old chair, wincing at the pain in his side. “I must admit that you have been right all along. Father’s death was clearly calculated. There is no way that what happened today was pure coincidence.”
“So, you at last believe me regarding my suspicions of the Duke of Alderleaf.”
“The problem was never that I didn’t believe you, Gerard,” said Thomas, a little cross to be back on this point. “But unfortunately, without any witnesses to question, there is no way to prove who set up the attack, nor any evidence pointing directly to the Duke of Alderleaf.”
Gerard’s face darkened. “Really, Thomas? See reason, here.”
“I will not go knocking on the door of Lady Evelina’s father accusing him of murder without proof,” Thomas said sternly. “In all honesty, Gerard, my objective here is still to find some evidence that there should not be bad blood between our families, so that I may court Lady Evelina properly.”
Gerard stood suddenly, breathing heavily. “Thomas, please, I beg of you: give this up. You were nearly killed today.”
“And you may very well be attacked tomorrow as well!” Thomas shot back. “If anything, it is time for us to dig even deeper, to pull out all the stops to get to the bottom of this, especially when it is now clear there is yet a very present risk.”
“You should have listened to me and left the city.”
“Perhaps, but I didn’t. And here we are.” Thomas wanted to stand as well, given that Gerard had now crossed the room and was looming over his desk, but the pain in his side made it difficult. He settled for just sitting up a little straighter. “We may be up against a wall, Brother, but we are not finished yet.”
“And what grounds do you have to say such a thing?” Gerard demanded. “It seems to be all bluster with you.”
Thomas ignored the insult. “What do you know of our family’s footman?”
