Page 87 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
He tugged her closer, teeth catching on her lobe. “Wear a robe,” he whispered, “and nothing else beneath.”
With his final order, he turned back to continue washing the blood from his face with the damp towel slung around his neck. Veronica moved back, blushing even as she bit away her smile.
Cooling herself down for a moment in the airy hallway, Veronica walked towards the kitchens, on her way to the cook to request the most exquisite dinner for her brother.
The clink of cutlery broke the tension in the room. Robert could not stop looking between Veronica and Henry, clearly trying to figure out what had happened between them. Distrust narrowed his eyes.
Thomas watched the three of them, cocking his head as he regarded Robert.
“Lord Grantham has the most riveting tale of his adventures,” Thomas spoke up, cutting up pieces of meat. “Why not share them, My Lord?”
“I would very much like to hear the tale,” Veronica said enthusiastically.
“As would I.” Henry’s voice was flat, his mouth tight. “I would like the explanation as to where my business partner disappeared to for a year with a good portion of my investments.”
Robert visibly cringed. “Of course, of course.”
He cleared his throat and busied himself with spooning more potatoes into his mouth for a moment before Veronica coughed, gently encouraging him. This was not the angry man from earlier, nor was it the brother she had grown up with, confident and leading.
No, this was a more nervous version of Robert, an earl desperate for approval from a business partner, the very trait that had driven him to disappear for a year.
“Before the social Season starts would be good,” Henry said, monotone.
Veronica, despite herself, had to bite back a snort at his dry humor betraying his impatience.
“Well, I suppose my tale starts at Turner Hall,” Robert said. “We agreed to meet with the potential client in Nanterre, and I was headed right for there. Our client kept up correspondence with me, as expected. I wrote to him to inform him of my boarding the ship across the Channel. However, I soon found out that my letter was intercepted.”
“What did this letter say?” Henry’s voice dropped to a dangerous low, and Veronica fought not to shiver at it.
Robert’s face went red. “I told him that I was equipped with our proposal and would meet him on the agreed day.”
“And?” Henry pressed, seeing something Veronica herself could not.
Robert slumped. “And I mentioned that I was carrying the investment sum.”
“Lord Grantham,” Henry groaned. He pinched his brow.
“Who were you intercepted by?” Veronica pushed, not understanding everyone’s distress.
“Pirates,” Robert whispered. Veronica blinked.
“Pirates?”
“Pirates,” he confirmed. “Ones who knew how much gold I carried.”
Henry set down his cutlery, shaking his head. “I do not think I can bear to hear such idiocy. It is desperation, that got you into this mess.”
“I understand,” Robert said, nodding solemnly. “And, in fact, I have already written to some partners of mine in London to secure funds to repay you.”
The Duke waved a hand. “There is no need for that. My wife is pleased to see you home, and her happiness is what matters to me.”
Veronica was watching her husband carefully, pleasantly surprised. The man she had married would have demanded back every penny. This man… Dare she believe he had changed? Despite his outward annoyance, and the way he now gripped the stem of his wine glass, she knew he truly did feel an element of guilt. Robert’s choices were not his to be responsible for, but he had planted the idea in the first place to a young earl eager to prove himself.
“Continue,” Henry said, gesturing.
“Our merchant ship ferrying only several passengers was attacked by pirates. Pirates who now knew of the wealthy travelers going to France. Except we did not head for France but for Spain. The pirates boarded our ship, took me and several other fellows hostage, and pocketed every coin we had. Theytook the clothes from my back, and I only just managed to scavenge a shirt and breeches back.”
Veronica gasped, her heart breaking for her brother. “What did they do to you?”
