Page 95 of The Art of Sinning
Jeremy wished he’d thought of that explanation himself. It made perfect sense, and was nearly the truth, too.
Blakeborough scowled at her. “You were that desperate—”
“Yes!” She pushed past Jeremy, headed for her brother. “I told you how upset I was.” When she reached Blakeborough, she softened her voice into the same understanding murmur that had made Jeremy spill his own secrets to her last night. “But it’s all right. The Duke’s Men are very discreet. And Mr. Keane made it clear to them that he regarded the investigation as a personal favor. They will not betrayhissecrets, even if they’re not too fond of Samuel.”
Jeremy watched as the anger in the earl’s face slowly subsided. And she thought she had no influence over him? Her brother might have a bit of a temper and a rigid code of behavior and a pride stiff enough to hoist a mountain, but clearly he cared about his sister.
The earl drew into himself. “So I suppose that’s why Bonnaud is here.”
“Yes,” she said. “He brought his report. Shall I call him in so he can give it? We need to decide what to do.”
Though Blakeborough set his shoulders like a man preparing for battle, he grumbled, “Might as well. The cat’s out of the bag now, isn’t it?”
“Out and apparently on a rampage,” Yvette muttered as she went into the hall.
The earl rounded on Jeremy. “You knew about Samuel all this time. And you agreed to go behind my back to find out—”
“Forgive me. The friendlier you and I became, the worse I felt about it. But honestly, your sister would have done something foolish if no one had helped her with the matter. I figured it was better that Manton’s Investigations, with their vast experience, do the looking than that she do it on her own, which is what she proposed.”
All right, so he was heaping lies upon lies. But Yvette deserved to be shielded. Because while the earl clearly wasn’t as critical of her as she thought, he still wouldn’t look kindly upon her activities the night of the masquerade ball.
“Now you understand why I thought you should tell her about Samuel,” Jeremy went on. “I hoped it might keep her from behaving rashly.”
Blakeborough drew himself up as if to retort, but before he could, Bonnaud and Yvette returned.
“So,” the earl told Bonnaud, “I understand that Mr. Keane engaged you for an assignment involving my feckless brother’s trail of mistresses. I’m surprised you even agreed to take it on, given how he injured your family.”
Bonnaud shrugged. “My family—my brother—injured you by stealing your fiancée. So I figure we’re even.”
For a long moment, Blakeborough just stared at the man. Then he gave a grudging smile. “Stole herback, one might say. But I suppose you’re right. And I do appreciate your help in the matter.” He cast a glance at Jeremy. “Even if I don’t appreciate that it was requested without my knowledge.”
“To be fair,” Bonnaud said, “Mr. Keane didn’t feel we should bother you with it until we could be sure there was something to your brother’s claim.”
“Ah,” the earl said, as if that settled everything, which they all knew it did not. “I take it that you’ve decided therewassomething to Samuel’s claim.”
“Yes.” And with that, Bonnaud launched into a dispassionate recital of everything he’d found.
Jeremy had heard most of it already. How Bonnaud had tracked Miss Moreton down. Where he’d learned she was staying. What had been done to determine if the boy Elias was truly Samuel’s son.
Though Jeremy tried to pay attention to the conversation, he couldn’t help being distracted by Yvette. She’d been on the verge of refusing his offer, and the fact that she wouldn’t even look at him worried him. What if shedidrefuse him? How would he live with himself, knowing that he’d ruined her for any other man?
Not that he wanted to see her with another man. The very idea made him surprisingly hot under the collar.
“What do you think I should do, Keane?”
“Hmm?” Jeremy jerked his gaze from Yvette. “Sorry, Blakeborough. I’m afraid I was woolgathering.”
The earl glanced from him to Yvette. “Bonnaud says that Miss Moreton is eager to give up all claim to the boy. But I don’t want to be tricked into supporting a child that isn’t my brother’s, all because a soiled dove wants to marry some gentleman.”
Jeremy could understand why. From what Bonnaud had said, Blakeborough was already supporting Samuel’s last mistress and babe. “Then meet with Miss Moreton yourself. Ask her your questions, and see how she responds.”
The earl’s lips thinned. “That’s all well and good for you to say, but I’m not adept at assessing people’s reactions and figuring out whether they’re lying.”
“Mr. Keane is,” Yvette put in. “So take him with you. The two of you ought to be able to figure it out together. Or I could go—”
“No,” Blakeborough said firmly. “You are not going. That would be entirely unwise.”
“I agree with your brother,” Jeremy told her. “Involving you is unacceptable.” When she blinked at him, clearly startled by his vehemence, Jeremy softened his tone. “But I promise to act as your representative in this matter. It would be my honor.”
