He gave her a self-mocking grin. “I always thought so. Now you know my sordid past.
When the old gent came to Scotland Yard to confront the boy who had murdered his son, he decided I was his grandson.”
“Why?”
“My eyes. Silver eyes run in the family.”
“I’ve met Marcus Langdon. His are silver.”
“Yes.”
“But surely there was more than that.”
“The old gent asked questions. ‘Do you remember a tall man with dark hair?’ ‘Oh, yes, sir, yes indeed.’ ‘Your father?’ ‘Oh, yes, sir. He held my hand.’” He shook his head. “He made it so easy.”
“You didn’t have any of those memories.”
“Of course not.” He began rubbing his brow.
“Is it your head?”
“Yes, I think it’s the flowers here. Their scent is so strong.”
“Come and put your head on my lap.”
He didn’t hesitate to move closer, to rest his head on her thigh. She began to massage his temples. He moaned low. “Almost makes the head pains worth it to have your tender ministrations.”
“I worry about these headaches you’re getting.”
“I’ve had them for years, Catherine. They come. They go. They’re of no importance. If they were, surely I’d be dead by now.”
She smiled down on his rugged face, took a moment to trail her fingers over his nose.
“What happened to your nose?”
“I got into a fight. In gaol, they don’t segregate children from adults while we’re awaiting trial, so we were at the mercy of big bullies and the worst society has to offer.
Some individuals in gaol deserve to be, but that’s not pleasant picnic conversation. Tell me about your brother.”
“Sterling?”
“Have you another?”
Bending down, she kissed the tip of his nose, before returning to rubbing his temples. “I told you. He and Father had a row, but I don’t know what it was about.”
“How is your father?”
“Not well. He grows paler and thinner every day. He can’t speak, can’t tell me what he wants. I thought to take him out to the garden for a spell, but his physician doesn’t agree.”
“I should think if given the choice between spending his final days in bed or in a garden, an Englishman would always choose his garden.”
“You think I should disregard the physician’s advice?”
“I think you should do what you know in your heart is right.”
She brushed her lips over his. “Thank you for that.”
He rose up, twisted about, and latched his mouth onto hers, kissing her hungrily, laying her down in the process. He tasted of wine. She thought she’d never again sip on red wine without thinking of him.
