“I would like to read any entries about the Duke of Lavensham.”
“Interesting.But you can’t.”
“Pardon?”
“You can’t look at the journal because I’ve burned it,” Hartwick replied.
“You did what?”Rhys pushed forward in his seat to rest his arms on his knees.“Why in God’s name would you burn the journal?”
Hartwick glanced at Lucy, who sent Rhys a rueful smile.“I tried to talk him out of it.But he said it was the right thing to do.”
“Do you remember when Lucy’s friend Adeline was here last year?And when we discovered the entry about her and her brother not being the legitimate children of Lord Rawlings?”
Rhys nodded.
“Well, it got me thinking about how dangerous that journal was.So many secrets that could ruin people’s lives.And I felt that we no longer needed it as security with Griffen and his horrible son both dead.Truly, so many of my father’s cronies are not an issue anymore.So, I decided to destroy it.It’s for the best.”
Rhys leaned back in his seat.That journal had been full of valuable currency.Secrets were currency.Every good spy knew that.He looked over at his half brother.Hartwick was calm and sure in his decision.
“What did you need to find on Lavensham?”Lucy asked.
“I made a promise to someone.They said I needed to stop Lavensham from doing something.”
“Doing what?”
“I don’t know.”
Hartwick held up a hand.“You made a promise to stop the Duke of Lavensham from doing something, presumably bad, but were not told what it was?”
“Yes.”Rhys sighed at their expectant expressions and elaborated.“The person who asked me this favor died before he could explain.”
Lucy scooted so she was sitting up; her bare feet hit the floor.Leaning forward, her eyes were bright with curiosity.She smacked her husband’s arm.“I told you that you’d never know when that journal could come in handy.”
“Yes, dear,” Hartwick replied automatically.“It’s not terribly surprising that Lavensham would be up to something nefarious.Kingsbury told us that his father turned a blind eye to Lavensham and the others using his cove in Dorset to smuggle in French goods during the war.But that was a long time ago.There were also rumors that his wife’s death was not an accidental drowning.Again, old rumors.”
“Truly?”Lucy’s eyes narrowed.“I knew I didn’t like that family.”
That caught Rhys’s attention.Lucy was a good judge of people.“Why?”
“She thinks that Sommerset is keeping Violet from her friends,” Hartwick said.
“It is true.I have hardly seen Vi in the last year.When we went to visit last summer, she was changed.So quiet and withdrawn.And now, because of this monstrosity inside me, I can’t go to social functions, so I have seen her only once since we arrived back in town.”
Hartwick sent her a wry half smile.“Thanks for describing our child as a monstrosity; that’s a new one.”
“Sorry.”Lucy sent Hartwick a sheepish look.“But this is all your fault.If you were a smaller man…”
“As amusing as it is seeing Lucy dress you down, could we get back to talking about Lavensham?”Rhys interrupted.
“Something is wrong over there.Everything looks perfect, but Vi is changed, and it worries me when you say there are rumors of violence in that family.”Lucy chewed on her lower lip.“Will you keep an eye on her, Seaton?If you are investigating her father-in-law, could you find out what is going on with Vi?”
The worry in her eyes was enough to have him nodding his agreement.“You shouldn’t be worrying about anything, save that babe in your belly.I promise to keep an eye on your friend.”
Hartwick mouthed, “Thank you.”
Rhys gave another small nod.Without their father’s journal of secrets, he would have to do more trailing and more snooping into Lavensham’s business.Perhaps those letters he sent home with Violet would produce some interesting information.
“Thank you, Seaton.You have put my mind at ease.I know you shall keep her safe.”Lucy yawned and leaned back against the pillow behind her.
