Tristan’s world spun as he tried to remain in control of his reaction. Even so, he felt his heart begin to beat rapidly as fresh sweat erupted over his muscles.
“She told Theo that she was simply out of sorts after losing such a lucrative commission,” Alistair went on, steepling his fingers together, “However Theo believes that it is more than that. That it is possible that her fierce, man-hating best friend has betrayed even herself and fallen in love.”
Eagerness pulsed through Tristan’s veins as he leaned forward.
“With whom?” He could not help but ask.
Alistair looked at him intensely.
“I cannot say for sure, seeing as all of this speculation. But if I were to guess, I would say it was with the man who hired her. The man behind the coordination of the club…the man sitting in front of me.”
For a moment Tristan was so shocked he could not speak. Could not even breathe. He’d been successful for years at hiding his secret right up until this very moment.
“Well,” he said at last, “As you said. It is not as if you can prove anything.”
Alistair gave another shrug as he smirked.
“Nay, I can nae,” he agreed, “But if that man were to try to deny it right now, I could nae say I would believe him.”
They stared at one another for a long, tense moment, then Tristan chortled as he rubbed his hands over his face.
“Oh, you nosy, filthy Scot,” he sighed.
Alistair let out a raucous bark of laughter as he leaned forward and clapped Tristan on the back.
“Aye,” he chuckled, “Maybe I am. But I am also a friend that cares for you very much, and as that friend, I have a right to tell ye that these secrets ye are keeping is eating alive.”
Tristan shook his head wearily as he dropped his hands to the table.
“Operating the Masquerade used to be my biggest thrill,” he confessed. “I never felt so much freedom or power as I did when I coordinated those parties.”
“But now?” Alistair prodded.
“Now every time I host one I look for Ophelia,” Tristan sighed. “Then when I finally convince myself she is not there, I go to her paintings and stare at them for hours on end. When I am not obsessing over her I am obsessing over Perley. I cannot remember the last time I slept more than an hour.”
“Well, that explains the fever and how horrid you look,” Alistair remarked.
Tristan threw him a narrowed gaze but couldn’t quite muster up a glare. Alistair was right and he knew it. He looked horrible. He could not eat. Could not sleep. He’d barely bathed and he was almost certain that he was wearing the same suits over and over again without them being washed.
“For the first time in my life I do not know what to do,” Tristan confessed.
He looked at Alistair with half- amused, half- imploring smile.
“You are my big brother now, are you not? You tell me what to do,” he said, and Alistair chuckled.
“First thing you need to do is come home with me,” Alistair said. “Theo has been worried about you and she will be thrilled to know that you are staying the night. She has a rather powerful sleeping tonic that I will give you, and we will ensure you finally get a solid night’s sleep so you can be well again.
“Then in the morning you and I will visit this source you have together. Perhaps there is something I can say that can help his investigation. Either way, we will worktogetherto solve this Perley mystery from now on.”
Though Tristan was not used to being told what to do, he nodded.
“And what about Ophelia?” Tristan asked.
Alistair’s determined looked slipped a little as a softness took over his eyes.
“All I can say is that I was almost too late in telling Theo my true feelings,” he answered softly. “I nearly lost her. God’s teeth, I nearly lost my life. All because I was too much of a coward to say what I was feeling. I do not wish the same for you, my friend.”
Tristan nodded his head, now feeling more weary than ever. He was not used to any of this. Asking for help. Letting someone take the lead…falling in love.
