Read Online Duke of Darkness by Anabelle Bryant - Free Book Online
Authors: Anabelle Bryant
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your reply to my enquiry and expect you have answers to share. As I expressed in my letter, if I am to serve as Lady Alexandra’s guardian I need to know as much about her background as possible. Does she have any family? Brothers or sisters? If so, why doesn’t she ever speak of them? What circumstances brought her to The Willows? That sort of thing.”
A palpable impatience laced his words. He’d hardly dispensed with pleasantries before requesting the results Derwent uncovered. Meanwhile the solicitor did not miss the cue and replaced his cup in the saucer before he reached for the packet of papers he’d previously set beside the leg of his chair.
“I am afraid there is not much to share, Your Grace. Apparently, your aunt was not one to ask many questions. Her staff has been kind enough to speak to me on your behalf, but they knew very little about your ward. Grimley noted your aunt had no desire to pry into Lady Alexandra’s background and that she sensed the young lady possessed a good heart and a gentle soul.” Derwent cleared his throat after the last bit.
Devlin would be hard put to argue with his aunt’s assessment, although it would have been prudent for Min to insist upon knowing more before she welcomed a stranger into her home. He cursed himself for the umpteenth time for not being more diligent in his visits. Had he ventured to The Willows at any time in the past two years the situation today might be entirely different. The notion gave him pause. Then he blew out a short breath and continued to interrogate the solicitor.
“What of the reference list she offered pursuant to the position of companion? Were you able to discover anything about her past? Why am I paying you if you’ve shown up here to tell me absolutely nothing?” He made no effort to disguise his frustration, more than a little curious as to Alexandra’s past and how it might affect her future. He noticed whenever the topic arose, Lexi was rather circumspect about her years spent prior to The Willows, and she proved far too clever to get caught in any of his little conversational traps. It left him with few alternatives. Aunt Min specifically asked him not to beleaguer her with questions, yet hiring another person to uncover information seemed to fall into a sketchy area that neither bothered nor laboured his conscience.
The sum of the facts didn’t make sense. What type of circumstance would prompt a young lady to leave home and apply for a position of companion to an elderly woman living in the countryside, virtually cutting herself off from the rest of society? Disappointment narrowed his eyes as he slued his attention to the solicitor. He’d hoped to learn more about his ward. Instead, Lexi remained a perplexing little mystery.
“If you discover anything of importance, pursue it vigorously. It is inconceivable that Lady Alexandra originated out of thin air one morning on my late aunt’s doorstep. Look harder, Derwent, and uncover the answers I seek. Then act on them. Coming here to report nothing is a waste of time for both of us.” He stood to signal their time was at an end and the solicitor gathered his things and left.
Devlin returned to the chair behind his desk and sat down with heavy thoughts. He steepled his fingers and stared into the vivid flames ablaze in the firebox. Answers. He needed answers. Perhaps Lexi confided in members of his household. It was a legitimate consideration. She did spend a bit of time with Cook on occasion and although Reeston would never admit to it, the butler had taken a liking to her. They chatted more often than not after breakfast before everyone began their busy day. Would it be so wrong to ask the man for a few answers? Reeston wouldn’t be easy to read, but at this point it was worth a try.
With his decision made, Devlin stood up and made his way to the main hall intent on finding his butler. Unfortunately, when he arrived the area was empty. He glanced around the room, one
A palpable impatience laced his words. He’d hardly dispensed with pleasantries before requesting the results Derwent uncovered. Meanwhile the solicitor did not miss the cue and replaced his cup in the saucer before he reached for the packet of papers he’d previously set beside the leg of his chair.
“I am afraid there is not much to share, Your Grace. Apparently, your aunt was not one to ask many questions. Her staff has been kind enough to speak to me on your behalf, but they knew very little about your ward. Grimley noted your aunt had no desire to pry into Lady Alexandra’s background and that she sensed the young lady possessed a good heart and a gentle soul.” Derwent cleared his throat after the last bit.
Devlin would be hard put to argue with his aunt’s assessment, although it would have been prudent for Min to insist upon knowing more before she welcomed a stranger into her home. He cursed himself for the umpteenth time for not being more diligent in his visits. Had he ventured to The Willows at any time in the past two years the situation today might be entirely different. The notion gave him pause. Then he blew out a short breath and continued to interrogate the solicitor.
“What of the reference list she offered pursuant to the position of companion? Were you able to discover anything about her past? Why am I paying you if you’ve shown up here to tell me absolutely nothing?” He made no effort to disguise his frustration, more than a little curious as to Alexandra’s past and how it might affect her future. He noticed whenever the topic arose, Lexi was rather circumspect about her years spent prior to The Willows, and she proved far too clever to get caught in any of his little conversational traps. It left him with few alternatives. Aunt Min specifically asked him not to beleaguer her with questions, yet hiring another person to uncover information seemed to fall into a sketchy area that neither bothered nor laboured his conscience.
The sum of the facts didn’t make sense. What type of circumstance would prompt a young lady to leave home and apply for a position of companion to an elderly woman living in the countryside, virtually cutting herself off from the rest of society? Disappointment narrowed his eyes as he slued his attention to the solicitor. He’d hoped to learn more about his ward. Instead, Lexi remained a perplexing little mystery.
“If you discover anything of importance, pursue it vigorously. It is inconceivable that Lady Alexandra originated out of thin air one morning on my late aunt’s doorstep. Look harder, Derwent, and uncover the answers I seek. Then act on them. Coming here to report nothing is a waste of time for both of us.” He stood to signal their time was at an end and the solicitor gathered his things and left.
Devlin returned to the chair behind his desk and sat down with heavy thoughts. He steepled his fingers and stared into the vivid flames ablaze in the firebox. Answers. He needed answers. Perhaps Lexi confided in members of his household. It was a legitimate consideration. She did spend a bit of time with Cook on occasion and although Reeston would never admit to it, the butler had taken a liking to her. They chatted more often than not after breakfast before everyone began their busy day. Would it be so wrong to ask the man for a few answers? Reeston wouldn’t be easy to read, but at this point it was worth a try.
With his decision made, Devlin stood up and made his way to the main hall intent on finding his butler. Unfortunately, when he arrived the area was empty. He glanced around the room, one
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