Page 25 of The Taming of a Wicked Rogue

“Well, tell us what is happening with you and we shall decide if it is expected or not.” Alexander folded his arms and rocked back slightly on his heels, the signature marquis look back in place.

“I already said I would,” he snapped.

“Well?” Adam pressed.

Leo steeled himself, ready for whatever reaction his brothers had to the news. “Rebecca is here,” he spilled out.

A few moments of silence passed, the only sound the ticking of a clock and the muffled thuds of the footsteps of a maid in the hallway. Adam and Alexander exchanged a look.

“As in...Rebecca Fortescue?” Adam finally asked.

Leo nodded.

“As in Rebecca Fortescue who you were determined to marry but vanished and never returned and left you heartbroken beyond repair?” Alexander added.

Leo scowled. “I would hardly say heartbroken beyond repair.”

Adam cocked his head. “We all know why you bed so many women.”

“Oh, really? So what is your excuse?” Leo tightened his jaw. He did not much like his brothers thinking he was some heartbroken sap.

Adam shook his head. “We’re not discussing me, and I am entirely comfortable with my behavior. I am a bachelor with few obligations. Why should I not take pleasure where I can seek it?”

“And why should I not?” Leo countered.

Alexander held up a hand. “So Rebecca is here? In this house?”

“Yes.” Leo ran a hand over his mouth. “She is in the area for...well. I will have to get her to explain, but suffice to say, I did not have much choice but to offer her shelter.”

“And she feared scandal, so you kept her presence here quiet? Or were you worried word of her would get back to Mother?” Adam suggested.

Leo lifted a shoulder. “I have a suspicion Rebecca has seen enough scandal to last a lifetime thanks to her father. Staying here without escort would hardly be the worst of it.”

Alexander rubbed his chin. “I’d rather like to assign a lady’s maid to her, though.”

“She will not be happy about being known to you.” Leo sighed. “She is fearful of how people will view her after her father’s indiscretions.” Leo curled his fists at the memory of that man bellowing at her and her fainting in the middle of the street. “She is not wrong either. That kerfuffle in town yesterday was to do with her.”

“Ah. I wondered where you had disappeared to.” Adam jerked his head toward Alexander. “He did not notice as Miss Evans was there.”

“That had nothing to do with it,” Alexander muttered.

“So what are we to do with her?” Adam asked, setting hands on his hips. “Pretend she does not exist?”

Alexander shook his head. “I’m not having some woman locked away in my house.”

“She is notsomewoman.”

Alexander’s lips curved at Leo’s response. “I was always fond of Rebecca. Bring her down for dinner and she can tell us herself why she is here and why she has you all tangled up in knots.”

“I am not tangled in knots,” Leo muttered, knowing full well it was a lie.

∞∞∞

REBECCA FOLDED HER arms and tried to ignore the thudding of her heart threatening to beat its way up her throat. She glared at Leo. “You could have lied.”

“To my brothers? I think not. Especially when you are under Alexander’s roof.”

She pressed her lips together and blew out a frustrated breath through her nostrils. She was making no progress in figuring out where her father had hidden his belongings and, in truth, she should have left Eastwick Hall long ago.

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