In Alec’s arms, Peyton wiped her eyes and twisted about so she could see her aunt. “Who told you of his brother, Jubil?”
Jubil smiled gently. “He did, sweetheart.”
Alec’s face was calm. “I never told you of Peter, Jubil. Someone else must have.”
Jubil shook her head faintly. “You did not tell me in words, my lord. But there is a hollowness in your soul that reflects inyour eyes. Only since you have met Peyton has the hollowness filled.”
Alec stared at the woman a moment. Was she so perceptive, or had she merely heard the rumors? He wondered. Inevitably, his curiosity and sense of desperation got the better of him and he found himself focusing on another subject of more concern. If she were indeed so astute, then mayhap…. “My father hasn’t been the same since this betrothal madness with Nigel Warrington. Can you…. sense anything?”
Jubil gazed at Alec steadily, pausing but a moment to collect her thoughts. As she spoke, she looked away from him. “I can sense nothing but turmoil within the House of Summerlin. Your father is greatly disturbed and it cloaks Blackstone like an evil fog.”
In spite of his doubts, Alec found himself listening closely to her. Christ, he was so puzzled by his father’s behavior that he was willing to listen to anyone for their insight. Even his wife’s crazy aunt, who was so far proving to be less insane and far more wise.
“But why?”
Jubil shrugged, studying her hands. “I do not know, but I can only tell you what I have heard long ago.”
Alec forgot all about Peyton’s pregnancy for the moment. His attention was riveted to Jubil de Fluornoy. “What?”
Jubil felt his gaze and she rose from the bed as if it were too much for her to bear. “I have lived at St. Cloven all of my life, my lord. My brother Albert and I were the only children of Clive and Maeve. When I was young, I remember hearing my parents speak of a rumor regarding Sir William Summerlin, your grandsire. ’Twould seem that Sir William had fallen in love with a woman other than his wife and it was rumored that the suspect woman was Anne Warrington. Nigel’s mother.”
Alec did not say anything for a moment. “I have heard the same rumor, but I did not hear who the woman was. My grandsire had a wandering eye, so I was told.”
“I do not believe that to be the case, Alec. Your grandsire was devoted to your grandmother as much as he could be, but she was a sickly woman with a heart of ice. Anne Warrington was a beautiful, vivacious woman married to a beast. Mayhap it was inevitable that dashing William and lovely Anne should find comfort in one another’s arms.”
Alec gently released his wife and rose, scratching his scalp thoughtfully. He peered at Jubil. “Do you suppose Nigel is blackmailing my father with that rumor? Threatening to spread more lies and gossip to damage the Summerlin honor?”
Jubil moved to sit by Peyton, refusing to look at Alec. “’Tis possible. But it is more possible that he threatens to bring forth an even darker secret.”
“And what would that be?”
Jubil looked at him, then. Her faded blue eyes were as steady and hard as Alec had ever seen them. “That Nigel Warrington is your father’s half-brother.”
Alec’s controlled facade vanished. He couldn’t speak for a moment as Jubil’s words pounded him. “You have heard this?” he managed to rasp.
Jubil could see his horror and nodded faintly. “I have. But it was a fleeting rumor, passed on by the servants. Most likely, it is a figment of ignorant imaginations.”
Alec continued to stare at her in shock, finally putting a hand over his mouth as if to forcibly shut it. He turned away, pacing across the scrubbed floor aimlessly.
Peyton and Jubil watched him closely as his boots shuffled toward the window with absent echoes. He stopped a moment, contemplating the world beyond the lancet window before returning to his wife’s aunt.
“Is it possible that Nigel has threatened to make this knowledge known?” he asked softly. “’Twould explain my father’s severe change of character.”
“As possible as anything,” Jubil replied. “There is one way to find out; you must ask him.”
Alec shook his head, turning away from the window. “He’d probably run me through. My father is so damn concerned with family honor and reputation that he’d explode if I even suggested such a thing.”
“Then ask the black man,” Jubil suggested softly. “He has known your father for many years. Mayhap he can help you. I can only tell you what I have heard.”
Alec rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I shall do that,” his shock somewhat recovered, his soft gaze fell upon his wife. “I am sorry to have dampened your news with my preoccupation, love. I did not mean to suggest it was any less important.”
Peyton rose stiffly, moving to embrace his slim waist. “You did nothing of the kind. Besides, I am not completely sure yet.”
Jubil bolted to her feet and put her warm palm on Peyton’s flat belly. “Have no doubt, sweetheart. You will continue the Summerlin line.”
Peyton gave her aunt an impatient look but Alec merely laughed softly. “I choose to believe you, Aunt Jubil. My wife is refusing to face facts.”
Peyton sighed heavily, leaning against her husband. “Mayhap so, but I cannot ignore my pounding head. I think I shall sleep until sup.”
