Page 63 of No One's Bride
Damn. It was the most logical suggestion. “Gibbs, sometimes a man must follow his gut. Park outside Grosvenor Street and watch the house until we’re ready to leave for Fortune’s Den.”
And with that, Sebastian turned on his heel, keen to march away before Daventry’s insolent lackey protested. That’s when fate handed him a boon and sent him crashing into Mr Kirkwood.
“Kirkwood?” Sebastian gripped the man’s arm to keep them both upright. “Forgive me. I didn’t see you there.”
Kirkwood straightened his coat. “Pay it no mind, my lord.”
Suspicion stirred the hairs on Sebastian’s nape. What was Kirkwood doing in Mayfair? Aaron Chance said he lived near Temple Gardens. The man wore black but was considerably younger than the rogue from the auction.
“Did you attend Lady Winfield’s ball? I don’t recall seeing you there.” Sebastian kept all traces of accusation from his tone. As the nephew of a baron, Kirkwood may have been extended an invitation.
“No, I have a friend in Langham Place.” Kirkwood pointed into the darkness. “I thought I’d walk and try to hail a hackney.”
“My coachman can take you home.” Sebastian nodded to Gibbs.
Kirkwood jolted in surprise. “Thank you, but I’ll not put him to any trouble, and I’ll likely end up drinking in a tavern.” Keen to be on his way, the man stepped to the side.
Sebastian blocked his escape. “Can I ask you something? Something about Michael?” Something he should have asked years ago.
Kirkwood nodded, though Sebastian sensed his hesitance. “It’s been a long time since I served aboardThe Perseus.”
“It may sound odd, but I wondered if you’d seen Michael with a spell book. There was an old grimoire amongst his personal effects. Perhaps you might know if he bought it ashore. I know you spent time in Simon’s Town on the Western Cape.”
Kirkwood stared blankly. “A grimoire? Michael read Shakespeare and had a fondness for Byron. He said it was a form of escapism while at sea. He wasn’t the sort to read nonsense.”
“That’s why I found it odd.” So why the hell did he have the grimoire in his possession? Had Sebastian invented a connection merely to stop feeling so damn useless?
“If you still have it, maybe I can offer some insight,” Kirkwood said with a hint of compassion. “Confirm if Michael did buy it in Simon’s Town.”
Every muscle in Sebastian’s body tensed. Instinct said he would be a fool to trust anyone who’d served aboard that ship.
“I keep it amongst my books at home. I’m out tomorrow, but you could call at Grosvenor Street on Sunday evening. It’s the servants’ half day, but I plan to return from my club at nine.”
Kirkwood smiled. “If you think it might help answer any unresolved questions, I shall see you on Sunday evening.”
They parted ways. Kirkwood would prove himself false, or he would offer insight into Michael’s life aboard ship. If Sebastian had to bet on the outcome, the odds were even.
Sebastian wasn’t the only one seeking insight. Within seconds of him settling next to Ailsa in Nicholas’ carriage, Helen blurted, “Well? Are you and Ailsa betrothed? She wouldn’t answer without you being present. Oh, please say you are.”
Sebastian silently groaned. Helen would give anything to see him wed. “We’re examining the possibility we might be more than friends.” It wasn’t a lie.
Helen clapped her hands, happiness brightening her tired eyes. “But this is marvellous news. I thought you despised one another.”
“Passion can take many forms.”
Nicholas did not share in his wife’s excitement. “I imagine it has something to do with the case, my love.” He captured Helen’s hand as if preparing her for a blow. “Or it’s a pact made to ward off their many admirers.”
Helen shook her head. “No. There’s something noticeably different about the way they react to one another. And they never dance. Never.”
“Doubtless they needed to discuss the case.”
Like Ailsa, Sebastian wasn’t sure what to say. The truth was always best, but anger had surfaced when he saw men fawning over her. And therein lay the problem. He couldn’t shake the overwhelming desire to possess this woman.
“It’s complicated,” Sebastian said truthfully.
Tomorrow, things might be less confusing.
Ailsa cleared her throat. “All I can say is I admire Lord Denton a great deal.”
