Page 127 of The Viscount's Seduction
Bakeley’s grip tightened as Lady Arbrough and her brother exchanged a look.
“We don’t know. That would be a dispute between two villains, is my guess,” Jamie said.
Lady Arbrough nodded. “It is good that you came to me for help, Bakeley.”
Sirena’s pulse quickened. When had he gone to Lady Arbrough for help? And why? And why his anger with her for inviting the woman to the ball?
Bakeley’s heart raced. His father and sister were in danger, as well as the lady they’d taken in and the host of innocent servants. The Home Office had theorized a connection between Sterling Hollister and Donegal, but that they’d invaded his staff?
His mind ran through the list of new hires, as it had done the night the sewer had stopped up. “How long would you say his men have been in my father’s house?”
Jocelyn held his eyes. “Very recently, we believe. Have you engaged new people?”
“We?” he asked.
She blinked.
“Who are you working with, Jocelyn? Besides him.”
Sirena squirmed.
“I did mean just Roland, as well as his two men and a couple of mine. But now, of course, we shall include you and Lady Sirena and, very soon, Shaldon.”
“Why did you not tell me you’d found my brother, Lady Arbrough?”
“’Twas my doing,iora,” Sirena’s brother said. “I asked Jocelyn to hold back until I was ready. I’d no idea you’d go off to the docks like you did.”
She choked. “Since the docks, you knew? At the musicale? Oh, Lady Arbrough, you are deceptive. You would hide my own brother and expect me to play your friend?” She took a shaky breath. “And ready for what, Jamie?For what?Where have you been? Do you know that Sterling Hollister has sold off the last of the breeding stock?”
She could see that the rawness in her voice pained him. Blast her brother for upsetting her so.
“It’s all right,iora.” The man’s voice softened again. “I’ll buy the best ones back for you.”
Tears rolled over her clenched jaw.
Bakeley pulled her to him. “We’ll buy your favorites back, Sirena.”
“No, ye shall not.” Her brother glared. “They shall be part of her dowry. You whisked her off to marriage without a proper agreement.”
She turned and glared back. “You’re not listening, Jamie. I’m of age, and have been speaking for myself for years. I have a proper marriage agreement, no thanks to the Lords of Glenmorrow. MyEnglishhusband has settled a generous dower from his own pocket for me and our children. And where were you when I was choosing a husband? My husband will pay for those horses, and you must allow it.”
“I shall not, squirrel.”
She scooted to the seat edge. “You must. And where have you been for these last many years? Mother—”
She choked and bit on her fist.
The lout was on his knees then, taking the raw fist, while Bakeley gripped the other.
“I was on the other side of the world. Sterling Hollister chased me to Belfast, and his man, Donegal, with him. They brought down that ship with a barrel of powder, but Gram’s good luck held for I’d jumped to another near one.”
“But they found Gram’s Brighid knot.”
“Aye. I put it around a dead man’s neck before we left port. I didn’t expect to be gone so long, but it took me years to get back, and when I did, I got word that Mother was gone, and others were looking for me. I would do you and Father no good so I left again. I’ve been around the globe more than once. I’m sorry I didn’t get back in time to keep that bastard Hollister from hurting you.”
“He didn’t hurt me.” She sniffed. “He did try, though. Bakeley is going to challenge his claim to the title and find a way to bring him down.”
Or I could just kill him for what he’s done tonight, and for what’s he’s planning.
