Page 25 of Foolish Bride
He must have heard wrong. Blood rushed through his ears.
Hardwig fidgeted with the paper. “Of course the prince will make it all formal, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. Did you hear me, your grace?”
The joy of earning a title wasn’t what he had hoped when he’d taken the assignment. Still, he had his brothers and mother to consider. “Thank you, Inspector. I assume that there are lands attached to the title.”
James’s eyes narrowed. “Kerburghe is a fine piece of property in the borderlands. The Innis title is not landed.”
If Elinor were still his, she would have been his duchess.
“Is something wrong, your grace? Frankly, I thought you would be more pleased. After all, you risked your life for your country and nearly lost it this last time. From what I’ve heard, you lost quite a lot in the past few months. I would have thought this would be some compensation. You should be happy.”
“It’s ‘James,’ isn’t it?” Michael ached like a man much older than his twenty-seven years. It was too late, and the fact sent a shot to his heart far more painful than the pain from his wounds.
James came around the desk and sat in the chair next to Michael. He met his gaze with clear, honest eyes.
Michael could see why Thomas liked him so much. “Unfortunately, James, what I have lost is so much greater than anything the crown could replace, that I am a bit underwhelmed. I thought the title and lands would make me happy, but that was only possible with her in my life. Now it just seems like baggage I will happily leave to my brother or his son someday.”
“Is there no possibility for reconciliation?” James leaned his elbows on his knees. The wear on his breeches showed that he took this pose often.
Michael let a modicum of hope seep into his heart. “Perhaps, if luck is on my side, I can repair the damage I have done.”
James shook his head. The hair combed across his bald spot flapped to one side.
His words had apparently upset James, but Michael couldn’t fathom why. “What is it?”
James looked up with sorrowful eyes. “I am a little embarrassed, your grace.”
“Would you honor me by calling me Michael?”
“The honor is mine, Michael.” He replaced the wayward strands of hair.
“Now what do you have to be embarrassed about?”
With a few stops and starts, James finally said, “I thought you were above all of that. But you are only human.”
It was the first good laugh Michael had enjoyed in months. “I am afraid so. Sorry to disappoint you, James.”
“Actually, I am rather pleased. If one’s heroes are only human, then there is hope for any of us.”
“You are too modest. Thomas Wheel has told me many stories of your work on the continent. You have done more than your share for this country.”
James puffed up his chest and sat up straighter. “Well then, we’ll make a formal notice of your elevation shortly, your grace.”
Both men stood.
“Thank you, Inspector.”
They shook. “It was my pleasure.”
It was clear why Thomas liked James Hardwig so much. The man had a way about him. Michael bowed and left the office.
* * * *
“Sorry to inconvenience you, Daniel.” The light from the sconce danced along the dark woods of Daniel’s study. Michael sipped fine brandy.
“Not at all.” Daniel passed a glass to Thomas and Markus, who had been summoned an hour early to Fallon house. Lady Marlton was giving a dinner party, but Michael had requested the four men meet early.
“What’s this all about, Mike?” Markus Flammel asked.
