Page 127 of The Matrimonial Advertisement

“What was it that came in the post?” she asked. “Was it bad news?”

“It was a letter from India.”

Her pulse quickened. “About Giles?”

“Come into the library with me for a moment. We can discuss things there. And Neville? Don’t dare climb up that ladder while we’re gone. It’s not fit for kindling.”

His hand at the small of her back, Justin guided her into the library and shut the door behind them. They went to the window embrasure and sat down.

“The letter was from Simon Harding,” he said. “You recall my mentioning him?”

Helena nodded. Mr. Harding and his wife were friends of Justin’s from his early days in India. They were fairly well-connected, with contacts in both the British and native communities. At Justin’s request, Mr. Harding had agreed to do a little investigating. “Has he found out anything?”

“It may be nothing. Then again…it could be significant. It involves the officer who witnessed your brother’s death. The one on whose evidence your uncle inherited the title.”

“Colonel Anstruther?”

“Harding says there may have been bad blood between Anstruther and your brother.” Justin paused. “It’s rather indelicate.”

“How do you mean?”

“It involves Anstruther’s wife. Apparently, she and your brother were rumored to be lovers.”

Helena drew back in surprise. She’d known her brother enjoyed the company of beautiful women. He was a handsome fellow with a disposition to flirt. But adultery was quite something else. And with a fellow officer’s wife? “Giles would never have been so stupid. And even if he was, what could it possibly have to do with any of this?”

“Probably nothing,” Justin said. “Then again…it may call Anstruther’s identification of your brother’s body into question.”

A miniscule spark of hope kindled in Helena’s breast. “Is that what Mr. Harding thinks?”

“He doesn’t give an opinion. But he says, if we like, he can arrange to speak with Anstruther. To ask him a few questions.”

“I would like that,” she said. “Very much.”

“In all likelihood it will only confirm what’s already been reported. That your brother died during the siege. But there’s a very small chance that Harding will learn something new. He has a sense for people. It’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful in business.”

“How soon can he speak with Colonel Anstruther?”

“Not until early spring. Anstruther’s retired to Delhi, and Harding won’t be back that way until April. Do you mind waiting?”

“Not at all. I’m grateful he’s undertaken so much on my behalf.”

“Harding’s a good man.”

She moved to rise. “I must write him a letter, thanking him.”

He caught her hand. “You needn’t do it right now. Indeed, you needn’t do anything.” His fingers twined through hers. “Leave the rest of the decorating to Miss Holloway and Neville. It feels an age since I’ve been alone with you.”

“An age? Since this morning?” She smiled. “My darling, what a novel concept of time you have.”

He bent his head and kissed her. Softly, softly. “How I adore your little endearments. They make me want to take you straight back to bed.”

She laughed, even as a blush heated her cheeks. In the past two months, they’d spent endless hours in the great Elizabethan bed, learning each other. She knew the shape of him now. The warmth and weight of his body and the texture of his sun-bronzed skin. She knew the very beat of his heart. During their most intimate moments, it thumped in rhythm with her own.

“I do love you,” she said.

Justin gazed down at her. Intense emotion glimmered in the depths of his gray eyes. “I love you more.”

She stroked his cheek. “Impossible.”