“There are always a few autumnal celebrations before most of thetonleave for their winter homes,” she rasped, hating every word she spoke. “I shall do what I must to attain invitations. With luck, I will find someone willing to court me at one of them.”
Everything. She was going to have to changeeverythingabout herself to pull this particular feat off. The acknowledgment of such pained her nearly as much as her father’s condition. Her life, her dreams…were gone.
Yet at her side her father let out a sigh of relief, and his grip on her hand loosened.
“Thank you, Ollie girl. Have hope. You never know. You could be lucky like your mother and I, and find your soul mate.”
Though Ophelia nodded, she very much doubted it.
CHAPTER TEN
Two days later
“How did you find this?” Tristan asked.
“I do not take kindly to welshers, Lord Darlington,” Christopher replied flatly. “When I come across one, I have no qualms in paying very special investigators to find whatever unsavory information I can. I am not above blackmail when it comes to protecting my business.”
Tristan shifted his eyes from the information in his hands to the owner of the gambling hell; anger seething through him. He had expected Christopher to be able to find some information on one Benedict Perley, but notthis.
“He was extorting my father,” Tristan stated.
“It certainly looks that way,” Christopher agreed. “Though I would imagine that the late Lord Darlington was not Perley’sonly victim. This is just the start of my investigator’s work and I can already tell we have barely scratched the surface of this particularly vile charlatan.”
Tristan nodded, his mind whirling with the new information. His father’s death had never settled well with him. He was a healthy, active man, who up until the day he died, had suffered no ailments. Now as he looked down at the monetary exchanges between his father and Perley on the dates leading up to his death; he understood why he’d always felt at ill at ease about it. A poisoning, not a heart attack, seemed far more likely responsible for the great man’s passing.
“You do not look well, Lord Darlington,” Christopher stated. “Perhaps you should take a seat.”
“No,” Tristan answered quickly. He needed a moment. Fresh air. Time to process all that he had just learned. He needed sleep and a good bedding even more, but neither seemed reachable with the current state of his frenzied mind.
“Thank you, Christopher, for all of your help, but I need to be going. Do you mind if I keep this?”
“It is yours,” Christopher agreed, waving a hand toward Tristan. “I have already had them transcribed for my own records. I shall alert you at once when I find out more.”
“Thank you, old friend,” Tristan replied.
He tucked the papers into his portfolio as they said their goodbyes, and left. As he stepped into the crisp autumn air on the street, Tristan dragged in a deep breath and rubbed his temples. His father had not died. He had beenmurdered.And the man that had done so had wormed his way into his biggest venture yet. He’d never felt so idiotic.
“To my sister’s,” he ordered the carriage driver.
There was much to do. He’d have to speak with Alistair about what he’d learned; see if he could get any more information about Perley from him. There was the Masquerade to prepare for. He needed to speak with his people, ensure that everything was properly set up for the night’s party.
Then there was the dress he wanted Ophelia in for her next visit. He’d already acquired it, he just needed to send it to her. He did not want her in men’s attire anymore. Even if he found it amusing at first, he now despised it. It bothered him, how many thoughts of Ophelia had taken up the space in his mind recently, but he had no time to contemplate why.
For a moment, Tristan’s sense of urgency faded, and he grew tense in his seat as he thought of their kiss. He had meant for it to takeheroff balance- yet he was the one that had since been whirling. For as bitter as her words were, he had never expected her to taste so sweet.
Lust short through his veins as his mouth watered; craving more. His manhood stirred with arousal, so fast that he had to close his eyes and adjust himself. He used to hate arguing withOphelia. Now he was sure he would never be able to do so again without wanting to claim her lips.
For now, Then he heard his driver’s voice, announcing their arrival. Tristan mentally shoved the thoughts and heady sensations away, and though it took several seconds, he had the overwhelming urge to check on his little sister. Knowing Theo was safe was the most important thing, and he was certain he wasn’t going to be able to accomplish anything else until he was certain saw for himself that she was all right.
The ride to her house was quick, but he was surprised as his carriage pulled up just as she was getting out of hers.
“Where have you been?” He demanded as he stepped onto the street.
Theo’s brows furrowed as she wrapped her mint green cloak tighter around her shoulders and looked him up and down.
“Well good day to you, too, brother,” she replied.
Tristan closed his eyes, took another deep inhale, and checked his temper. It was not at all her fault that his thoughts were pinging back and forth between danger and his new taboo craving for Ophelia.
