True, Violet had mentioned that her father hadn’t been willing to support her, but Rhys hadn’t pushed her to elaborate at the time.Perhaps she knew something that could lead them in the right direction.Or perhaps he should just pay a visit to Violet’s father.
*
Rhys stepped throughthe French doors and into the man’s study.Blackpool sat in a large armchair in front of the fire.He looked pensive as he sipped from a glass of liquor in his hand.Rhys cleared his throat.
Violet’s father startled.“Who’s there?”
Rhys stepped forward into the firelight.“I wondered if I could ask you a few questions, Lord Blackpool?”
Blackpool rose to his feet.“What are you doing in my house?Who are you?”
“I am someone investigating the Duke of Lavensham.You know the man well.Can you shed some light on his behaviors?”
“Why would I help you?”Blackpool scoffed.
“Because I was asked to investigate by Lord Fleming.He wanted me to stop Lavensham.But Fleming died before he could share the details.”
Violet’s father sat back down with a sigh.“Truly?Fleming was worried?He always was the best of us.Tried hard to keep the others in line.”He ran a hand down his face.“Couldn’t stop what happened to Hartwick and his boy, though.”
Rhys stiffened at the mention of what happened to his father and half brother.
“Stupid, rash decisions.Lavensham always was the worst of all.”Blackpool studied him.“I recognize you.You came and took the bodies away after the duel.I never forget a face.”
Rhys nodded.“Yes.”
“Your face reminds me of someone, but I can’t place it.”
“Hartwick was my father.”
“No, you don’t look like a Hartwick.Don’t have the bone structure.”Blackpool’s eyes narrowed.“Are you Lilly’s son?That’s who you look like.”
Rhys had no response to Blackpool’s certainty that he didn’t look like Hartwick.And his mother was none of Blackpool’s fucking business.“I’m here to learn about Lavensham.”
Blackpool studied him.“I don’t know anything that Lavensham is doing that is untoward.He and I are not exactly on the best terms of late.”He picked up his glass and took a gulp.
“Because of Violet?”
The glass in his hand boggled.“What do you know about my daughter?”
“I know that her husband is hurting her.That you have failed to protect her.”Rhys clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to rail at her father.He pushed his anger back.That was not what he was here for.He needed information about Lavensham.
Her father crumpled in his chair.His head hung low.Then he straightened his spine and threw back the rest of his drink.“I honestly don’t know anything that Lavensham is doing these days.You have to understand, Lavensham hasn’t always been the best of friends, but he makes a far worse enemy.”
His instincts said that Blackpool knew more than he was willing to say.But he didn’t doubt the man’s fear of Lavensham.“See if you can find out anything.You have the ability to get close to him.Fleming wasn’t concerned for nothing.He wouldn’t have asked me to step in unless it was bad.That’s what I do best—solve bad situations.”
Rhys turned and walked out the way he came in.The cold night air hit him in the face, further cooling his temper.He strode across the small back garden.Thoughts of Violet filled his mind.Perhaps he would stop in and check that she was all right.He wouldn’t wake her.He stopped mid-stride.What was he doing?This need to see her, to touch her, to protect her was out of hand.She wasn’t his.She never would be.He turned down the street and set out for home.
Chapter Seventeen
Violet took asmall sip of her wine.Her husband sat across from her, brooding into his food, his fork pushing potatoes around the plate.He had surprised her by joining her for dinner tonight.She hadn’t seen him in several days.
“How are you feeling, Violet?”Stuart looked up at her.“Still sick?”
She shook her head.“No, the morning sickness appears to have abated.I’ve been back to my old self this past week.I even went out and did some shopping the other day.”
“That’s good.”He took a long draught of his wine.“My father asked after your health.”
Ah, that’s why he had asked.Violet took a bite of veal, the delicious gravy bursting with flavor on her tongue.She really must compliment the cook.It was such a pleasure to enjoy food again.“How was your visit with the duke?I’m sorry I was not able to accompany you.”
