Maria’s mien of heated determination sprang to his mind’s eye, and his already-speeding pulse tripped in his chest.
Fuck.
When he’d arisen that morn to discover just how easily his cousin might have taken his life—and most particularly after the magistrate’s abysmal response to it—Jasper knew something must change. And Maria and the other runners not only took his concerns to heart, but they had proven themselves once before. He’d just been too blinded by concern and, curse it, superiority, to openly embrace their contribution.
He detested the notion that he couldn’t trust his own sodding staff. And yet, there he was, unsure who had granted Francis access. Miss Huntsbury had instructed him to behave as though naught was wrong so as not to frighten Francis into more drastic action. And yet…he couldn’t help but worry that they were in error to set this glacial pace.
The conveyance drew to a halt and, with a nod to his driver, he strode toward the building’s entrance. It was warm inside and smelled faintly of citrus. The small amount of comfort failed to calm his rattling nerves, however.
Following the sound of voices through the nearby doorway, Jasper found himself drawn to the sitting room.
“…She’s a lovely woman, and I’m certain would be a fit for a position here,” Maria was saying.
“Of course I trust your judgement, Maria,” Miss Huntsbury replied. “Do have her come in to speak with me.”
Jasper rounded the doorway, and the women stood, eyeing him with expectation. He bowed and offered a polite “Good afternoon,” but he scarcely noticed the other women in the room. His attention was entirely captivated by Maria.
Her dress brought out the hint of blue in her determined grey eyes. Defiant wisps of brown hair flew about her head with the gentle movement of air in the room. Her lips were perfectly formed: plump and pink. He wanted so badly to taste them.
“Excellent. We’re all here.” Miss Huntsbury urged him forward.
Taking the proffered armchair, Jasper settled back and turned his gaze on the woman.
What would Maria’s lips taste like?his inner voice ruminated.Would she be receptive to a kiss?His jealousy the previous evening came roaring to the front of his thoughts.Was itreallyfanciful nonsense and mild attraction that I felt?
His gaze slid sideways. Maria was listening to Miss Huntsbury with rapt attention, and his gut gave a slight twist.I want to have her in my arms and on my cock.Damnation, the libidinous thought had come from nowhere, but once in his mind, he wanted it to stay. And he wanted to do something about it. He just didn’t know what. For fuck knew he couldn’t have anyone in his bed when Francis had access to it.
“…new stratagem for us to put into motion,” Miss Huntsbury was saying.
Maria nodded and turned her gaze on him. “I’ve a question for His Grace.”
Shaken from his lascivious musings, Jasper cleared his throat. “Yes, of course.”
“When both of your cousins were in pursuit of you and Juliana, did they say anything that might imply a reason behind their actions? Surely this isn’tonlyfor the title and estate, as we’d first assumed. They must have known that Francis would not be able to enjoy his newfound title for long before he met his end after a trial.”
“I confess, I’ve been struggling with this question. All I could glean from his letters was his desire for the title, and vague allusions to family and death.” Jasper raked his fingers through his dark hair. “Prior to their previous capture, they’d inferred that Francis blamed my father for the death of his sister, Jean. I’m unaware of the circumstances of her death, but I know without question that Juliana, our father, and I were in London the entirety of that month. A woman named Marie Tussaud was showing an exhibit of wax death masks from the victims of the Reign of Terror. Surely Francis knows that my father could not possibly have had anything to do with Jean’s death. All I can surmise is that the man is simply mad.”
Miss Huntsbury hummed. “Mr. Sinclair is determined, and understanding his motives would be beneficial. We had best make the attempt to learn more.”
“Before you continue, I have some news.” All four women watched him with concern as he spoke. “Another poisoned letter from Francis was pinned to my door with a dagger.”It was my bedchamber chest of drawers, but you needn’t know that.
His sister gasped and…had Maria grown pale?
“Was it another quote?” Miss Morgan inquired.
Jasper nodded. “It was. And I have yet to learn where it is from.”
Maria hurried once more to the nearby desk to retrieve a bit of parchment. “Do you recall what this note said?”
His jaw tightened. “I do. ‘But I have, sir, a sOn by order of law, some year elder than this.”
“I see.” Maria’s lips pursed in thought. “And, as in the previous notes, did a word or letter visibly stand out?”
Jasper’s jaw tightened once more as he determinedly kept his gaze from her pinkened lips. “As a matter of fact, yes. TheOinson.”
Maria tapped her chin. “R, F, and O.”
“Perhaps he has scrambled the letters,” Miss Morgan offered.
