Read Online If He's Daring by Hannah Howell - Free Book Online Page A

you?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Does he treat you with courtesy and the respect due his brother’s wife, or is he dismissive, scornful, and reveals resentment that you gave his brother a child?”
    “Oh, he was always polite as he should be, but no more than that.”
    Orion had the feeling that was not all, but he did not press her on the matter. “How did your husband die?”
    “Stabbed. He had been at one of his clubs, so he said, and was attacked on the way home. Robbed and stabbed several times. The wounds became infected and he died.” She smiled faintly when his lovely blue eyes narrowed. “I, too, wondered if Morris had something to do with it, but the men were caught and confessed. They had simply seen a fine gent strolling home and saw a chance for some gain. He fought and they fought back. They won. For the moment. Their victory and new wealth was short-lived. They were hanged a year later, and even when facing that gruesome end, they said nothing about anyone having hired them or even told them where Henry would be. I do think Henry died wondering if his brother had had anything to do with it, for he ranted about his brother while fevered.”
    Orion turned his attention to finishing his meal as he thought over all she had told him. Despite what the men who had killed her husband had said, there was always the chance that Morris had had a hand in her husband’s death. It was possible to arrange a person’s death without actively taking part in the planning. Simply talking loud enough about the person’s plans, wealth, and direction within the hearing of known thieves could be enough. It was something to consider. He doubted Morris grieved his loss.
    Glancing quickly at Catryn, he thought on how little grief there had been in her telling of the tale. Not a hint of loss or sorrow had been evident in her words. She could have been speaking of someone she had only known in passing. There had been a few other hints that her marriage had not been a happy one, something all too common amongst the ton . It was not just his family that suffered from broken or dismal unions, but few of the ones outside of his clan suffered as much desertion as his.
    It was too bad she was such a good woman, he mused. She was a widow ripe for seduction. A bad marriage often left a woman yearning for something more, some passion and pleasure. Orion knew he could give her that. He had left behind enough satisfied women to have confidence in his skills in the bedchamber. Unfortunately, Lady Catryn was too good a woman, despite her recklessness in chasing after her child, something he could not help but admire.
    “Giles said you worry about how Morris will treat the boy if he hears young Alwyn talking to people who are not there,” he said, and almost smiled when she gave Giles an accusatory look and the boy just shrugged.
    “It is just a child’s game, but yes, I am worried that Morris will have no patience with it,” she replied. “I have tried my best to make Alwyn understand that his little game can upset some people, but he is, after all, only five, and sometimes forgets. I just fear that Morris is one of those who will find it very upsetting. He is a very superstitious fellow.”
    “Is he now. That will help.”
    “How so?”
    The serving girl entered with some stewed apples, small cakes, and cream, so Catryn had to wait for her question to be answered. She took the time to think about every instance where she had noted Morris’s superstitious nature. Although she did not know how such information could help Sir Orion, she wished to give him as much as she had. By the time the maid left and they had each helped themselves to some of the treats set before them, she was a little surprised to discover that her memories revealed that Morris was actually very superstitious, very concerned about all those shadows in the dark that others ignored once they left childhood.
    “A superstitious man acts differently than one who is