Read Online Red Roses Mean Love by Jacquie D'Alessandro - Free Book Online
Authors: Jacquie D'Alessandro
Ads: Link
figure in the distance. "Just follow this path and you will reach him. When you two are finished talking, please come back and I'll serve refreshments." She turned and reentered the house, and Justin made his way swiftly down the path.
* * *
"It certainly took you long enough to get here," Stephen said by way of greeting, several minutes later when Justin came into view. Stephen fought to hide his amusement when a look of utter amazement crossed his brother-in-law's face.
"Stephen? Is that really you?"
"In the flesh," Stephen confirmed, "although with my face covered in whiskers and this bandage wrapped about my head, I barely recognize myself. And wait until you see this."
Stephen stood and suppressed a laugh as Justin's mouth dropped open. Stephen's form appeared shrunken in a huge white billowing shirt with the sleeves hanging well below his wrists. Breeches several sizes too large hung on his frame.
"Good God, man," Justin said, his voice filled with alarm. "What has happened to you? You've withered away and shriveled to nothingness. Are you ill?"
"No, at least not anymore." A sheepish grin touched Stephen's lips. "These garments belonged to Hayley's father. You can see why I asked you to bring me some clothes. Apparently Papa Albright was rather large."
"What do you mean 'not anymore'? Were you ill?"
Instead of answering, Stephen indicated the path before them, with a wave of his hand. "Come, let us walk. I have quite a story to tell you."
"All right," Justin agreed.
They hadn't gone three paces before Stephen felt himself undergoing a thorough scrutiny.
"I barely recognized you with the beard, Stephen. I must say, it lends you a rather rakish air. No doubt the ladies in London would find you more irresistible than usual."
Stephen lifted his fingers to his jaw and rubbed his prickly face. "The only reason I haven't rid myself of this damned facial hair is because I've never shaved myself before and I don't care to bleed to death trying to learn. But these whiskers are going to have to go. They itch like hell."
After a momentary pause, Justin said, "Surely you realize I'm eaten up with curiosity. Your cryptic note explained nothing. What on earth is going on? Tell me everything down to the last detail."
While they walked down a tree-lined path through the forest, Stephen related the events of the past week to Justin. When he finished, Justin stared at him with a grim expression.
"My God, Stephen. That young woman saved your life."
"Yes."
"And you believe this was the second attempt to kill you?"
"It appears that way. I passed off the incident last month as a robbery gone bad, but now I'm not inclined to do so."
"Why didn't you tell me—"
"I wasn't hurt, and I didn't think it important."
"Not important? Good God, Stephen. Who would want to kill you? And why?"
"I've made enemies over the years, I suppose, but I don't know who would want me dead."
"A scorned lover?"
"Doubtful. To the best of my knowledge, my former lovers and I have always parted on friendly terms."
"Any business dealings gone sour lately?"
Stephen paused for a moment before answering. "Actually, there was a recent problem."
"Indeed? What?"
"I was considering a sizable investment in Lawrence Shipping, but after investigating the company, I decided against it. Marcus Lawrence, however, was apparently sure I planned to invest, and ordered three additional ships built."
Justin raised his brows. "He ordered them before you invested the funds?"
"Yes. From what I gathered later, when I pulled out, he was left with three half-built ships he couldn't pay for. The last I heard he was facing financial ruin and possibly debtor's prison."
"If he blames you for his reversal of fortunes—"
"He does," Stephen cut in. "He blames me entirely."
"How do you know?"
"He told me so."
Justin halted and stared at Stephen. "He threatened you?"
"His words were something to the effect that his ruin was my fault and he would see that I paid. As he
* * *
"It certainly took you long enough to get here," Stephen said by way of greeting, several minutes later when Justin came into view. Stephen fought to hide his amusement when a look of utter amazement crossed his brother-in-law's face.
"Stephen? Is that really you?"
"In the flesh," Stephen confirmed, "although with my face covered in whiskers and this bandage wrapped about my head, I barely recognize myself. And wait until you see this."
Stephen stood and suppressed a laugh as Justin's mouth dropped open. Stephen's form appeared shrunken in a huge white billowing shirt with the sleeves hanging well below his wrists. Breeches several sizes too large hung on his frame.
"Good God, man," Justin said, his voice filled with alarm. "What has happened to you? You've withered away and shriveled to nothingness. Are you ill?"
"No, at least not anymore." A sheepish grin touched Stephen's lips. "These garments belonged to Hayley's father. You can see why I asked you to bring me some clothes. Apparently Papa Albright was rather large."
"What do you mean 'not anymore'? Were you ill?"
Instead of answering, Stephen indicated the path before them, with a wave of his hand. "Come, let us walk. I have quite a story to tell you."
"All right," Justin agreed.
They hadn't gone three paces before Stephen felt himself undergoing a thorough scrutiny.
"I barely recognized you with the beard, Stephen. I must say, it lends you a rather rakish air. No doubt the ladies in London would find you more irresistible than usual."
Stephen lifted his fingers to his jaw and rubbed his prickly face. "The only reason I haven't rid myself of this damned facial hair is because I've never shaved myself before and I don't care to bleed to death trying to learn. But these whiskers are going to have to go. They itch like hell."
After a momentary pause, Justin said, "Surely you realize I'm eaten up with curiosity. Your cryptic note explained nothing. What on earth is going on? Tell me everything down to the last detail."
While they walked down a tree-lined path through the forest, Stephen related the events of the past week to Justin. When he finished, Justin stared at him with a grim expression.
"My God, Stephen. That young woman saved your life."
"Yes."
"And you believe this was the second attempt to kill you?"
"It appears that way. I passed off the incident last month as a robbery gone bad, but now I'm not inclined to do so."
"Why didn't you tell me—"
"I wasn't hurt, and I didn't think it important."
"Not important? Good God, Stephen. Who would want to kill you? And why?"
"I've made enemies over the years, I suppose, but I don't know who would want me dead."
"A scorned lover?"
"Doubtful. To the best of my knowledge, my former lovers and I have always parted on friendly terms."
"Any business dealings gone sour lately?"
Stephen paused for a moment before answering. "Actually, there was a recent problem."
"Indeed? What?"
"I was considering a sizable investment in Lawrence Shipping, but after investigating the company, I decided against it. Marcus Lawrence, however, was apparently sure I planned to invest, and ordered three additional ships built."
Justin raised his brows. "He ordered them before you invested the funds?"
"Yes. From what I gathered later, when I pulled out, he was left with three half-built ships he couldn't pay for. The last I heard he was facing financial ruin and possibly debtor's prison."
"If he blames you for his reversal of fortunes—"
"He does," Stephen cut in. "He blames me entirely."
"How do you know?"
"He told me so."
Justin halted and stared at Stephen. "He threatened you?"
"His words were something to the effect that his ruin was my fault and he would see that I paid. As he
Similar Books
