Page 74 of A Fearless Heart
“So you knew about the petition?”
“Of course! He announced his plan like it was some coup de grâce. But then I laughed in his face, and that took the piss out of him. Because I’m not just indecent and perverted in the bedroom. It turns out that Ialsodon’t care about some moldering title given by a long-dead king in exchange for mindless loyalty. Cady can have it, and she’ll wear it better than I ever will. At least she cares about the land we call ours.”
“Her becoming the heiress would bring even more suitors out, especially if the estate is worth what it’s rumored to be.”
“Yes, not even the rumor of her murderous ways will stop a fortune hunter,” Trevor said, nodding. “For what it’s worth, I’ve told her to turn all offers down. She doesn’t need a husband. She’s got a house, she’s got an income, and she’s got her gardens. And she’s got control of her life. Marriage will strip her of the one thing that matters: the ability to tell anyone else to go to the Devil.”
“Would that all brothers were so mindful of their sisters’ happiness.”
“I’d die for Cady, if I had to. But I’m more fun to be around when I’m alive, don’t you think?”
“You’re certainly unexpected.”
Trevor held up his glass. “To unexpected friendships.”
Gabe could toast to that. But as he was drinking, Trevor added, in a lower tone, “Why are you taking note of Cady’s suitors? Something I should know?”
“Not at all. I’m simply trying to help her.”
Trevor shook his head, leaning forward, all traces of merriment gone. “Oh, no, Mr Gabriel Courtenay. I don’t believe you. No one in this world just wants to help a beautiful young heiress. How about you tell me what youreallywant from her?”
Chapter 27
By afternoon, Cady felt abit more settled in the town house, and she had put aside her intention to flee homeward, at least for a day or two. Gabe had, among other things, suggested that she could speak with a few doctors now that she was available to consult personally. And she could visit the gardens at Kew Park, which she very much wanted to do. And Trevor was here. And as Gabe said, she wasn’t an invalid. Yes, she had attacks, but they were intermittent and once she’d endured one, she was more or less fine again.
The house in Wimpole Street had only a small amount of land attached to it. The front yard had been designed to appear formal and gracious, welcoming the residents and guests inside. Thus it featured heavily shaped and trimmed boxwoods and beds of flowers and other plantings that would change over the seasons. It was not intended as a space to linger. However, there was also a narrow side yard on the south side of the house, behind the fencing that cut off access to the street. Here, Cady’s grandfather, and then her mother, had worked to create a secluded oasis in the city. Slender poplars bordered the house, their silvery-green leaves coming out in the warm air. Oscar had discovered that butterflies loved the side yard, and he was trying (without success) to catch one.
The trees didn’t shade the ground too oppressively, so there were several curving beds of spring blooms amid the narrow lawn that was moss rather than grass, grass being ill-suited to the city. At one end of this garden was a small arbor that accommodated a bench and table, perfect for reading on a pleasant day. Toward the other end was a pebbled area large enough to hold a wrought iron table and four chairs, in case an afternoon tea absolutely needed to occur out-of-doors. In all it was a pretty, private space, as quiet as one could hope for in the otherwise busy metropolis.
Naturally, Cady was drawn to it, and she’d made a comfortable little bower under the arbor. The space was sunny since the leaves of the vining plants over the arbor were still tiny and jade green. This was where she was when Rook walked out to find her.
“Lord Calder to see you, my lady,” he announced.
Cady experienced one moment of pure horror, thinking of her father coming through the doors. But no, it was her brother who stepped into the garden, his smile lighting up the world.
“Cady, you’re awful!” he accused. “You came to London and didn’t tell me straight off?”
“Oh, Trevor!” Cady put aside all propriety and ran to her brother, flinging her arms around him. He hugged her so tight she thought she couldn’t breathe, and she didn’t mind at all.
Trevor was laughing as he half spun her around, lifting her off her feet. “My big sister is still little Cady,” he told her, looking pleased about it.
“I was going to write to you today, but how did you hear about my arrival?”
“That was me.” Gabe was leaning against the door jamb, watching the reunion. “It seemed cruel to call on your brother and not mention that you were here.”
“Oh, so you did find Trevor at home.”
“Not exactly. That address you offered me was actually a club.”
“A club?” Cady looked at her brother in surprise. “I didn’t know you were a member of any club. You hate joining things.”
Trevor gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s an exclusive club for…let’s say like-minded gentlemen.”
Cady’s mouth rounded into a little O of surprise. “That’s reckless of you.”
“In fact, it’s quite discreet,” Gabe said. “You’d never know what you were looking at from the street. Trevor probably didn’t mention it to you in his letters because he is also discreet.”
“I see. Well, I am glad you’re here now.” She squeezed her brother’s hands. “Both of you. Please let’s sit. We have some matters to discuss.”
