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Samuel bowed, his mind racing.
“It is a pleasure indeed.” Broun… from Scotland… Samuel ran down lists of family names in his head. “Are you by chance related to the Countess of Safonhouss?”
The girl smiled.
“I am, Mr. Carmichael. She is a cousin, and the very person I’m visiting. You have met?”
Samuel nodded. “I’ve had the pleasure, yes.”
“Oh, they hosted that splendid dinner party near the start of the Season,” his mother said. “A charming couple. Lovely sons. You are very fortunate in your relations, Miss Broun.”
Miss Broun dimpled. “I am, to be certain.”
Samuel tamped down his disgust at his brother’s choice of target for seduction, a cousin by marriage to the journal’s owner.
“How are you enjoying London?” he asked, including the whole Scottish contingent with a glance.
“It’s ever so exciting,” one of the other young women said.
“There’s so much to do,” the third added.
The young man beside her frowned. “I find the air a bit thick.”
“We are prone to fog, morning and evening, especially in spring and autumn,” Samuel’s mother agreed, quickly turning the conversation to the safest of topics.
Miss Broun chuckled. “’tis nothing compared to the dreich we must endure daily in our corner of Scotland.”
“A corner I long to visit, for I’ve heard only of its beauty,” Richard said, and caught her gloved hand to raise it to his lips. “But if you will all excuse us, and you, Mother, I must speak with Sammy a moment. I’ve been seeking him all day.”
A murmur of pleasantries followed them as Richard released Miss Broun. He met Samuel’s gaze and gestured in the direction of the open terrace doors. Side by side, they strode across the room and out into the night.
“Been seeking me all day, have you?” Samuel muttered under his breath. “I can’t believe you mean to seduce that girl.”
“Not here.” Richard didn’t slow as they strode deeper into the garden. They followed a white stone path, bright in the moonlight, that carried them past other features to an open circle, ringed by a wall of carefully trimmed shrubs. Richard strode up to the fountain in the middle and, by that, Samuel supposed his brother knew the place. It seemed the sort of remote, secluded location to which one might guide an innocent young woman, if intent on taking liberties with her. Richard turned to face him. “I don’t only mean to seduce her. I’ll marry her if I must. Abernethy’s not going to see a relation swing.”
“Maybe nothing will come of this.” Samuel pushed his glasses up on his nose. “I’ve heard no news. Not after they questioned the bank and visited Yvette’s house.”
Richard pressed his palms to his eyes, then pushed his fingers through his hair. For once, he wore a beleaguered look, all amusement and mockery gone.
“Two more pages of the journal have found their way into the French paper. Still nothing of substance, but it’s only a matter of time. It cannot all be banal. Abernethy has people out looking, as does the Crown. They’ll come for me soon. I can feel it.”
Samuel shook his head. As much as Richard had brought this upon himself, as much as he annoyed Samuel, he didn’t wish to see his brother hang.
“Maybe you should leave. Flee to Ireland, at least, for a time.”
Richard gestured in the direction from whence they’d come.
“Didn’t you see that little Scottish bit back there? She’s an even better option than the Ellsworth chit. The moment I offer for her, you’re safe from the noose. I can probably even get you first rate accommodations for your voyage and a place in the government down there.”
Samuel clenched his teeth. “I am not going to take the blame for this.”
“You must. I’m ready for my place as head of this family. It’s the role I’ve been groomed for since the moment I entered this world. I am the heir. You are the spare. With me wedding and taking over management of our holdings, there’s nothing left for you here. Your purpose is fulfilled.”
“Have you even attempted to locate Yvette and retrieve the journal?”
“Go to France? Are you mad?”
“You said you don’t even know if she’s left England.” Samuel shook his head. “If she’s in England, she’s getting the journal to France somehow, probably one page at a time. Have you looked into that?”
