Allendale did not appear pleased by his request to leave Gory’s side, but he gave a reluctant nod and followed Julius downstairs to the study.
“Care for a drink, Allendale?” Julius motioned to the crystal decanters of cognac, bourbon, port, and other libations perched atop a bureau in the corner of the study. This was Ambrose’s domain, for he was the Duke of Huntsford and owned the townhouse, while Julius was merely a resident guest.
However, he was never made to feel like an interloper.
Ambrose had always treated him as a valued member of the Thorne family. He, Octavian, and Ambrose would give the shirt off their back for each other without ever waiting to be asked.
Since Julius was the brother who traveled most when attending to family business matters, he had never bothered to acquire his own residence in London. Why should he when Ambrose had always welcomed him with open arms, and given him and Octavian each their own suite of rooms?
Allendale settled casually in one of the plump leather chairs. “No drink for me. I won’t be staying long. Nor will Lady Gregoria.”
Julius moved to stand beside Ambrose’s desk, his hands gripping the edge of the massive piece of furniture to keep him from grabbing Allendale and throttling the arrogant oaf.
Of course, the man had every right to be furious Gory was comfortably ensconced in Julius’s bed. After all, she was Allendale’s betrothed and not his. Were their positions reversed, Julius knew he would be spitting fire, angry as a hornet, and punching every wall that got in the way of his fists. “I understand your concern, Allendale. But she cannot be moved yet, not only because of her injury. There is a killer on the loose and I have already made arrangements for her constant protection. The magistrate’s man will be here shortly to question her. Dr. Farthingale will also come around later today to see how she is faring.”
“They can do the same at my home. We shall be married by the end of the week, so where’s the scandal?”
“Not a good idea,” Julius insisted because his concerns went beyond mere jealousy. This was about protecting Gory. Until Allendale could confirm where he had been last night, there was no chance Julius would ever allow him to be alone with her. “She’s here because she wants to be with Adela. The two of them are as close as sisters. Adela and my brother will be home tomorrow, so there is no question she must remain here. Obviously, I have taken other quarters.”
“Then I shall stay here, too,” he said, eyeing Julius warily.
“No.” Julius folded his arms over his chest. “No one stays here until they are ruled out as suspects.”
Allendale growled. “You dare accuse me of her uncle’s murder? What reason would I have to do him harm? I am marrying his niece in a matter of days!”
“Then you will not be putting off the wedding?”
“No, the arrangements are all in place, as you well know since the wedding breakfast is to take place here. I will not have the ceremony canceled or postponed. Her aunt will be in mourning, so it is understandable that she will not attend. You and I both know she is a miserable hag. If Gregoria feels we ought to retire after the ceremony and leave our guests to enjoy the wedding breakfast without us for the sake of decorum, then this is what we shall do. However, the wedding proceeds as planned. Any other questions, Thorne?”
“Yes, several more.” He struggled to maintain his composure. “Where have you been all week long and especially last night? Gory has hardly seen you. Why were you not with her at the musicale? Where were you?”
“You know what, this conversation is over. I do not answer to you. In fact,” he said with another growl, “I have had just about enough of you. I’m taking Lady Gregoria out of here now.”
Julius shot him a lethal glower. “Over my dead body.”
“That can be arranged,” Allendale shot back, now starting for the door. Howeveer, he paused with his hand on the doorknob to turn back and glare at Julius. “You do not fool me for a moment, Thorne. Gregoria is mine and you will never get your hands on her.”
“Do you think I would ever behave so disrespectfully toward her?” But he sure as blazes intended to woo her away from Allendale. That he had only a few days remaining in which to do it was a problem, but one that could be overcome if Gory loved him. “Answer me this, Allendale. Do you love her enough to believe in her innocence beyond any evidence put before you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Someone is setting Gregoria up to take the blame for her uncle’s murder. Maybe it is you.”
“I’ve had enough of this, Thorne. You are fortunate I do not call you out.”
Julius wished he would. Even though they were equal in height, Julius was brawnier and no stranger to battle. The man was no match for him. For this reason, he knew Allendale was merely making idle threats.
Of more serious concern were Allendale’s movements last night.
Where had he been?
Until he came up with a verifiable alibi, Julius considered him a suspect. Nor did Julius overlook the fact that Allendale favored his left hand. Many still regarded that trait as a mark of the devil’s work and schoolmasters often forced the use of one’s right hand when writing, but it remained obvious that Allendale’s stronger hand was his left one.
Was it beyond all reason to believe he might have been the villain in her uncle’s study last night who knocked her out from behind when she unexpectedly walked in on him while the murder was in progress?
They were about to exchange more words when there came a sharp rap at the study door. Allendale still had his hand on the knob and now threw the door wide open to reveal an agitated Greeves. Julius knew his butler would never have knocked so loudly unless it was something important. “What–”
He broke off and muttered under his breath when he saw Havers standing behind the distressed butler. “Forgive me, my lord. But Mr. Havers insists on seeing Lady Gregoria. However, I would not permit him upstairs without your authority.”
