Page 72 of Sutherland's Secret
Brice thought for a moment. “After Charles’s death, what happened to Blackwood?”
“He was promoted to Charles’s position…” She looked at him in surprise. “You don’t think he created the false documents and accused Charles so he could be promoted, do you?”
“I think there is more to this Blackwood than we believe.”
Eleanor sat up to stare at Brice. She was as naked as the day she was born, and he couldn’t help but look at her beautiful breasts. Now was not the time, but they were powerfully magnificent.
“What are you saying?” she asked breathlessly.
“Ye know the accusations were false. Why do ye think he went to all that trouble?”
“I…” Her eyes lost focus, and he could tell she was thinking back to that terrible time. “I guess I always thought that he wanted me, so he took Charles out of the picture.”
“I believe ye’re right, but I also believe that his mission was two-pronged. Tell me about yer family.”
She focused on him. “My family? What does that have to do with it?”
“Tell me about them. Is yer father a powerful man?”
She wrinkled her nose in an altogether adorable way that made him want to lean forward and kiss it. “He’s a marquis,” she said.
“Would Blackwood’s marriage to ye elevate him socially?”
She considered before nodding. “Yes. Blackwood is the fourth son. He has no title as yet, but I’m sure after Culloden, he will be awarded one.” Her lips twisted, and he could tell she didn’t like that thought any more than he did. Was it possible that he was turning thisSasannachinto a Highlander?
“But his new title would no’ open doors that yer father could open for him?”
“No.” Her eyes narrowed into slits. “The bastard,” she whispered. “He killed Charles and thought I would fall into his arms in grief, and he would then marry me to get to my father.”
Brice took her hand again. “I’m sorry, lass.”
She pulled her hand away and clutched it in her lap. He could practically see her mind working; she looked furious.
“Eleanor—”
She shook her head, a quick jerk that told him she didn’t want his touch at the moment. “Charles was an innocent in all of this. Just an obstacle in Blackwood’s path to get to me.”
“And ultimately yer father.”
“And now I don’t have a husband or a home or my family to go to, all because Blackwood is greedy.”
“Ye can go home and tell yer father what he is about.” The words nearly killed him, but he far preferred she go to England than Canada.
“I have no proof. He could deny all of it and call me a grieving widow who is touched in the head.”
Brice lightly ran his fingers over the scars on her wrist. “Ye have this proof.”
She quickly covered her scars, like she did every time he brought attention to them. “I know he has people watching my family. You don’t understand how powerful he is. How do I approach them without his men taking me?”
Brice highly doubted that Blackwood was as powerful as Eleanor feared, but he wasn’t completely certain. Maybe she was right. Maybe he did have men watching her family, ready to take her if need be. Blackwood was driven by greed. There was a dark part inside of him. Nothing else could explain why a man would imprison a woman the way Blackwood had imprisoned Eleanor.
Yet he could see the hope in her eyes. Hope that she was afraid to feel. Either way, Brice lost in this. Eleanor would return to England and the protection of her powerful family, or she would go to Canada. In each instance she would be far out of his reach. But also far out of Blackwood’s reach.
Chapter 29
“Sir.”
Blackwood turned from the window to confront the captain in charge of finding Lady Hirst. “Captain.” He folded his hands behind his back. “What have you found?”
