Page 83 of Rules for a Bastard Lord
“Who died at school? Yes, maybe,” Eleanor answered. “But I cannot be sure. I think I heard that it made the earl bitter.”
Bluebell’s hands tightened in her lap. “That’s why he never came for my mother. It must be—”
Bram held up his hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. We aren’t even sure about his name.”
“But it all fits.” She pushed to her feet. “I want to talk to him.”
“But he died—” said Eleanor.
“Not my father. My grandfather. He’s alive, yes?”
“Alive and in town,” Eleanor confirmed. “He prefers the city.”
Bluebell turned to him, her chin lifted in that imperious way of hers. “Take me to him. Please.”
Bram set down his teacup with a click. “I told you. You can’t just burst in on the man. He won’t see you.”
Eleanor agreed. “He’s right, you know. If your story is true—”
“If!”
“Then it needs to be handled appropriately. Oh!” She turned back to him. “That’s why you came to me. To get the introduction right and to give her some polish beforehand.”
Well, truthfully, he’d come here because his sister knew everything about everyone in theton. He’d hoped she knew the truth of what really happened. Because legitimate children—even daughters—didn’t grow up in Hull forgotten by everyone.
“Can you do it?” he asked Eleanor. “She’s got no money, but it wouldn’t take much. A borrowed gown. An invitation to tea?”
Eleanor tapped the edge of her teacup. “You saw the church register?”
“Yes,” they answered together. And for added emphasis, Bluebell handed over the vicar’s letter.
Eleanor read it quickly, then passed it back, her expression thoughtful. He waited, his belly tight. If Eleanor refused to help, then they were at a dead end. The earl was notoriously full of his own consequence. Bram was a bastard. He and anyone with him would never be accepted into the house.
Then Eleanor nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Bluebell released a breath. “Thank you, my lady.”
But Bram shook his head. There was more. There was always more. “Why?”
“Two reasons. First, because you’ll pay me a thousand pounds.”
“Wot?” gasped Bluebell.
“You know we don’t have that much.” Bram lied. He had that much, but he had other plans for that money.
“It’s a pittance if he recognizes you. You’ll be outfitted and lauded in the coming Season.”
Bram shook his head. “You know that won’t happen.”
“On the contrary. I wager my time and influence that itwillhappen. Provided, of course, everything you’ve told me is true.”
“It’s the absolute truth,” Bluebell said. “I swear it.”
Unfortunately for Bluebell, Eleanor was looking at him. “Bram?”
“She believes it,” he finally said.
“And you’ll be looking into the rest.” It wasn’t a question. If Eleanor took up Bluebell’s cause, she would expect him to find and eliminate any resistance to their plan.
