Read Online Alyssa Everett by A TrystWith Trouble - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: A TrystWith Trouble
Ads: Link
mind: an appeal to his better nature. “Surely you must have some sense of honor.” I spoke with exaggerated patience. “And Cliburne loves Helen. He won’t thank you for dragging her name through the mud.” Ben didn’t reply, so I pressed my advantage. “I grant you Helen hasn’t told Cliburne whatever it is her blackmailer knows. But can you honestly say you’ve never kept a secret yourself, that you’ve never done something so foolish or so embarrassing you couldn’t bear for it to be made public?” My eyes traveled meaningfully back down to the front of his breeches. “ Never? ”
Ben colored, while I waited, holding my breath. After a moment’s sullen reflection he replied, “Very well. I won’t say anything about the blackmail unless it becomes necessary to save Teddy’s life. But I trust you know how to show similar restraint.”
“Of course I do.” I turned to lead him out of the house. “I didn’t slap your face in the cupboard, did I?”
I could almost feel his angry stare boring into my back.
Chapter Five
Ben
When I came downstairs the next morning, my parents were sitting at the breakfast table, my father with his paper, my mother stirring her chocolate, chin in hand. I paused on the threshold, battling the temptation to turn and just keep walking. These intimate meals with only the three of us always rubbed me the wrong way. They reminded me how narrowly we missed being a normal family.
It was a stupid way to feel. I was a grown man. But while I could put the taunts and jeers I’d endured at Eton behind me, it was harder to overlook the way my father had married a tenderhearted romantic like my mother, only to humiliate her. Men were supposed to protect the women in their lives. She deserved better.
Resigned, I went in with a private sigh. “Good morning, Mama.” I bent to kiss her cheek. “Father,” I added with a swift glance in his direction.
“Good morning, Ben.” My father folded his paper and set it beside his plate. As usual, he looked every inch the respectable aristocrat—elegant, immaculately dressed, and silvering at the temples.
My mother’s brow wrinkled as I pulled up a chair. “Ben, dear, what’s all this about an inquest? Your uncle sent a note this morning saying he’d like you to drop by Daventry House to discuss it.”
I took a piece of toast from the rack and scraped butter across it. “It’s a bad business. Do you remember I told you Teddy’s intended was keeping company with the neighbor’s footman? Last night someone bashed in the footman’s brains.”
My father raised one eyebrow, and my mother gasped. “No!”
“That’s barely the half of it. Out of some misguided desire to shield Lady Helen, Teddy’s claiming responsibility. If the coroner’s jury rules the death a homicide, it may mean his neck. Fortunately I came across some new information—”
My mother had gone pale. “You don’t really mean you intend to involve yourself in this! With a murderer on the loose? Ben, no!”
I frowned, nonplussed at her reaction. “Mama, Teddy is your nephew. Surely you don’t expect me to stand by when his life could be at stake.”
“Quite right,” my father agreed. “Even if your family weren’t involved, Margaret, Ben has a duty to report anything he knows that might be relevant to the investigation.”
“Exactly.” I nodded in my father’s direction. “Though, to be honest, I’m hoping to avoid certain questions. There’s Lady Helen’s reputation to be considered.”
My mother’s eyes widened in dismay. “But only last night you were saying you thought her all wrong for Teddy.”
“And I still think so. But she has a sister...”
My father smiled. “A beauty, is she?”
Why did he even bother asking? For years now I’d known he didn’t particularly care whether a girl was a beauty or not, yet we had to go on pretending we were a family like any other. “Lady Barbara? She’s a perfect harpy. But I promised her I
Ben colored, while I waited, holding my breath. After a moment’s sullen reflection he replied, “Very well. I won’t say anything about the blackmail unless it becomes necessary to save Teddy’s life. But I trust you know how to show similar restraint.”
“Of course I do.” I turned to lead him out of the house. “I didn’t slap your face in the cupboard, did I?”
I could almost feel his angry stare boring into my back.
Chapter Five
Ben
When I came downstairs the next morning, my parents were sitting at the breakfast table, my father with his paper, my mother stirring her chocolate, chin in hand. I paused on the threshold, battling the temptation to turn and just keep walking. These intimate meals with only the three of us always rubbed me the wrong way. They reminded me how narrowly we missed being a normal family.
It was a stupid way to feel. I was a grown man. But while I could put the taunts and jeers I’d endured at Eton behind me, it was harder to overlook the way my father had married a tenderhearted romantic like my mother, only to humiliate her. Men were supposed to protect the women in their lives. She deserved better.
Resigned, I went in with a private sigh. “Good morning, Mama.” I bent to kiss her cheek. “Father,” I added with a swift glance in his direction.
“Good morning, Ben.” My father folded his paper and set it beside his plate. As usual, he looked every inch the respectable aristocrat—elegant, immaculately dressed, and silvering at the temples.
My mother’s brow wrinkled as I pulled up a chair. “Ben, dear, what’s all this about an inquest? Your uncle sent a note this morning saying he’d like you to drop by Daventry House to discuss it.”
I took a piece of toast from the rack and scraped butter across it. “It’s a bad business. Do you remember I told you Teddy’s intended was keeping company with the neighbor’s footman? Last night someone bashed in the footman’s brains.”
My father raised one eyebrow, and my mother gasped. “No!”
“That’s barely the half of it. Out of some misguided desire to shield Lady Helen, Teddy’s claiming responsibility. If the coroner’s jury rules the death a homicide, it may mean his neck. Fortunately I came across some new information—”
My mother had gone pale. “You don’t really mean you intend to involve yourself in this! With a murderer on the loose? Ben, no!”
I frowned, nonplussed at her reaction. “Mama, Teddy is your nephew. Surely you don’t expect me to stand by when his life could be at stake.”
“Quite right,” my father agreed. “Even if your family weren’t involved, Margaret, Ben has a duty to report anything he knows that might be relevant to the investigation.”
“Exactly.” I nodded in my father’s direction. “Though, to be honest, I’m hoping to avoid certain questions. There’s Lady Helen’s reputation to be considered.”
My mother’s eyes widened in dismay. “But only last night you were saying you thought her all wrong for Teddy.”
“And I still think so. But she has a sister...”
My father smiled. “A beauty, is she?”
Why did he even bother asking? For years now I’d known he didn’t particularly care whether a girl was a beauty or not, yet we had to go on pretending we were a family like any other. “Lady Barbara? She’s a perfect harpy. But I promised her I
Similar Books
