“Is he the man you remember from the hells?” Zeke asked Caden the minute the four men reconvened in his grandfather’s den. He paced to the far corner of the room, unable to quell the restless energy coursing through him.
“One and the same.” Caden sprawled on the armchair before their grandfather’s desk, behind which the earl presided. “Did you see the look on James’s face? Hasting’s arrival heralds a major upset in his life, more so than anyone’s, save Kitty’s.”
“How long did you say he’d been presumed dead?” Randall asked, hip propped on the edge of the desk.
“Over two years,” the earl replied.
“Where’s he been all this time? That’s what I’d like to know.” Zeke started back toward them.
“You and the rest of us,” Randall quipped. “I wouldn’t miss this for all the tea in China. You people really know how to entertain. Tomorrow I leave for London to see to some estate matters I’ve neglected far too long, and I really hate to go. Onenever knows what surprises a day in Chissington Hall might offer.”
“Ha ha,” Zeke replied without humor. “Caden, I think London is calling you as well.”
Caden frowned. “I have no pressing business.”
“Oh, but you do.” Zeke clapped a hand on Caden’s shoulder.
Caden’s brows shot up. “I take it I’m to be your errand boy?”
“Something like that.”
“What will you be doing, that you can’t manage your own tasks?” Caden asked.
“Guarding my bride,” Zeke answered without preamble.
His brother gave him an assessing look.
“What?” Zeke asked.
“Who are you?”
Zeke opened his mouth to ask what the devil Caden meant, when Randall spoke. “I thought we’d already established the fact your brother’s beyond smitten.”
Zeke snorted. “Don’t be absurd. I’m merely being pragmatic. Someone’s got to keep an eye on things here.”
Caden smirked. “He doesn’t know.”
“Hasn’t a clue,” Randall concurred.
“Will you two cease discussing me as if I’m not in the room?” Zeke turned to his grandfather for support, who was trying to disguise his own amusement by holding a fist to his mouth.
Zeke threw his hands in the air, exasperated. “You, too? Can we please dispense with this nonsense and move on to relevant matters?”
The earl sobered, though his faded blue eyes retained a trace of mischief. “Forgive us, Ezekiel. Pray tell what errand have you in mind for Caden.”
“As Hallis is already engaged in learning all there is to know about James. I need someone to dig into Hastings’ background.”
“Zeke, he’s to be your brother-in-law,” Caden said, his tone disapproving.
“Exactly. That’s why I want to know what I’ll be dealing with. I want to know about his gambling, his past relationships, about the bloody ship he was on that went down. I want to know where he’s been these last two years in lieu of protecting his sister. In short, I want to know anything about him that has the potential to hurt Kitty.”
Caden scratched his chin. “When you put it like that. I’m not sure where to begin, though. I’m not schooled in the art of spying.”
“Hire a private investigator. Hire runners. Whatever it takes. Just make sure whomever you hire is discreet. Hallis can assist you there. You might let him know my question regarding inheritance law is a moot point.” Zeke paused. “On second thought, ask him how the Crown will handle the prodigal son’s return.”
A soft knock sounded on the door.
“Come,” the earl said.
