Page 46 of The Viscount's Seduction
“She slipped. One of them is a Josh. The other is Walter.”
Bink chuckled again and shook his head. “Are you sure about this, Bakeley? This girl will lead you a merry chase, and what do we really know about her?”
“About the same as you knew about Paulette.”
“Aye, but Shaldon knew everything abouther.”
“My point exactly.”
Bink sat down, the better to reach the untouched food and the wine bottle, and poured another drink, rapping his fingers on the table. “He’s the devil, is our father.”
“The night we met at the ball, the night I led her over to him, the look he gave her was condescending, yes, but it was also a look of...interest. Was he in Ireland then, do you think?”
Bink stirred in his seat, his eyes glowing, wary. “You think she is his?”
“No.” The thought sent a chill through him. The dalliance that had produced Bink had occurred in Shaldon’s bachelorhood. As far as anyone knew, their father had been a faithful husband. Bakeley’s mother would still have been alive when Sirena was born. “Mother sent me to Glenmorrow to buy up his best cattle. As if paying a debt. What I mean is, was Shaldon in Ireland around the time her brother fled? It would have been around the very end of the last uprising.”
“I’ve no idea. This Cato Street business might have somewhat to do with it.”
“Plots and uprisings,” Bakeley said. “Yes. That would fit with Father’s games. What did you think of the Smith brothers?”
“Not conspirators, I’d say, unless Sirena is their leader.”
The idea was absurd. “We must shield those men from father.”
“Aye. I’ll be leaving in the wee hours. Where will she be when you’re out getting the license?”
He had thought to leave her here in his townhouse, but Bink was right. The housekeeper and her husband would be no defense if Father showed up and raised a row. Jenny looked tougher than both of them combined. “Would Hackwell help?”
Bink grinned broadly. “What a scary thought, Bakeley. We’re beginning to think alike. That’s exactly what I was going to suggest. And here,” he handed him the jewelry box, “best give your bride her ring.”
