Page 28

What about their mother? Neither had mentioned her, and according to the detective, their mother did not appear to have made any claims. Perhaps she was French and had returned to France many years earlier.

Upon arriving at Lark’s Song, they were greeted by alarmed family. Alexander had always known he was cared about, but the fact that the Duke and Duchess Torrington had been summoned was endearing.

He was immediately ushered into the front room. The duchess pulled him into a tight hug, and the duke, normally a quiet man, immediately demanded to know who would wish him harm.

While Clara hurriedly ordered food to be brought, Vivian and her younger sister sat in chairs, both watching on with rapt curiosity.

Within minutes, everyone surrounded a table in the dining room for a simple meal of soup and salty biscuits.

The duke met Alex’s gaze. “Whoever tried to do you harm will pay. I will not stand for it.”

Alex gave him an assuring look. “I have an idea of who it may be, however, it will be hard to prove. As of this moment, I must remain out of sight.”

“If,” William interjected, “they believe their plan succeeded, then they may try to gain access to his father’s accounts.”

Duchess Torrington let out an exasperated breath. “It’s those two. The pair who showed up at your father’s funeral. Horrible creatures.”

As they continued to eat, Duchess Torrington told Vivian and Penelope about Jasper and Bettina.

Vivian met his gaze. “If they are indeed who they claim to be, why would they have to go to extremes?”

“My question exactly,” Alex replied.

“Well, this certainly puts a damper on the planned festivities. Thank goodness we only planned for family for New Year’s Eve,” Clara said.

His aunt rounded the table to take his face with both hands. She pressed a kiss to first one cheek and then the other. “I am so grateful you were staying here. I cannot imagine life without you.”

She began weeping, and he stood and took her into his arms. “The birds would miss us,” he quipped, glad when she chuckled.

His voice gruff, the duke came and took his wife in his arms. “Now, now, dear. Alexander and William will outlive us both.”

Alex noted that Vivian’s eyes misted, and she wiped at one while looking away.

“I will remain here until after the holidays. The day after New Year’s, I will return to London. If it was indeed the two, they will not hesitate to proclaim my death and attempt to gain access to father’s accounts.”

William gave him a pointed look. “I will come with you.”

Once they finished eating, William, the duke, and Alexander went to the study. Alexander poured himself a rather large portion of brandy and took a deep drink.

“We must dispatch a message to your mother, just to ensure they do not try anything,” the duke added.

“Yes,” he agreed. “I will hire personal guards for her as well.”

Lowering into a chair, Alex studied the liquid in his glass. “Why would they do something so soon? If successful, it would be too obvious it was them who’d try to kill me. Especially if they go to the bank and actuary.”

“Greed clouds judgement,” William remarked. “I believe after hiring whoever it was that poisoned that man, they immediately returned to London. Or perhaps they hired the person in London.”

“When I stopped by the dress shop, a young boy told me they’d gone to France. I wonder if they are near here somewhere instead?” Alexander let out a long breath. “We should all tread with care.”

Needing fresh air, Alex excused himself and went out through the kitchens to the back of the house. The normally robust garden was now dormant, most of the plants gone until spring.

Vivian stood with her back to him, a thick fur-lined cape around her shoulders. She peered up at the sky. Seeming to be in deep thought, she’d not heard him walk out. He stilled, enjoying the view of her jawline and neck as she continued to look at the stars.

After a long moment, she looked down, bowing her head as if in prayer. It made it impossible for him to move as he didn’t wish to startle her.

He looked on as she kept her head down, and before long, he fell into the same pose. He prayed for not only his own protection, but for those at the house, and his mother as well.

“Alexander?”