“That would be most appreciated. Perhaps my sisters could provide their assistance while I speak privately with my brother?”
Naomi looked surprised but hid it quickly enough with a welcoming smile toward the girls. “But of course.” She sent Luke an anxious glance and then backed up, gesturing for his sisters to enter. “The kitchen is this way.”
“And Cromwell!” Lydia gestured toward the carriage where their governess, a very proper looking spinster, watched.
“But of course. She must come in as well.” Naomi waved and then hugged her arms through a shiver. “Winter will be here soon enough, won’t it?”
After his sisters’ companion joined them and the women disappeared to the back of the house, Luke led Blackheart into the parlor, wishing he’d taken an additional thirty seconds to at least don his boots.
His brother dropped onto the single chair, leaving the settee for Luke. Which, of course, had him sitting lower. Luke wondered if Blackheart did this intentionally, and then immediately decided that of course, he had.
As if he hadn’t already caught him at sixes and sevens.
“This isn’t—”
Black held up a hand. “Spare me the details. I know the kind of man you are, so no explanations are necessary.”
It was a compliment. Luke sat up straight. “I appreciate that.” Later that evening, he would divulge some of what he’d learned about their childhood friend Gil. Of all the people Luke cared for, Blackheart was the last one he’d want to think poorly of Naomi.
“Did you have any trouble?”
“Of course not.” Blackheart sent him a look of disgust. “But you and Mrs. Gilcrest will want to settle the matter tonight. And you’ll reclaim your room in the inn tonight. I spoke with Tempest the day before I received your correspondence. Although he and the countess are somewhat skeptical of Mrs. Gilcrest, he assured me that they would collect her shortly. Gil’s mother is distraught, as I’m sure you can imagine. She is determined her grandchild be raised at Galewick Manor.”
This was precisely what Luke had initially thought would be best for her. Despite Gil’s nefarious behavior, Gil’s mother would be Naomi’s child’s grandmother, and his brother would be the child’s uncle.
“And what of their sentiments toward Naomi?”
“As the child’s mother, she’ll have Tempest’s protection as well. They hold no ill will.”
But Luke.” He lowered his chin. “They’re on their way here now.”
Oh hell. His brother’s arrival was just in the nick of time.
“I have the license.” Blackheart held up a folded document. And then withdrew a second one. “And this arrived at Crescent Park three days ago.” He handed both to Luke. The second was, of course, the order for his deployment.
Luke broke the seal and skimmed the details. “I’m to report immediately.” He was to attempt the same mission he’d failed at six weeks prior.
“I assumed as much. It’s why I brought the girls along. They were upset that you failed to make visiting Crescent Park a priority.”
Luke hated that he felt guilty for that. Ever since their parents’ deaths, Luke had done his best to be a part of their lives whenever possible. “I am glad you brought them.”
Blackheart’s eyes asked questions Luke wasn’t sure how to answer. But they also held sympathy and a hint of worry. “You are certain this is the answer?”
Luke merely nodded and his brother changed the subject.
“I read the report of the ambush. Somethings not right there. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.” He didn’t want to relive the details of the ambush this morning, nor was this the time to inform Blackheart of his intention to sell out. The women would return to the parlor any moment and he couldn’t be certain of his brother’s reaction.
“You will ensure they treat her properly until I return?” he asked instead. “Her own parents refuse to have anything to do with her.”
Blackheart watched him with unblinking eyes. “It’s best that she observe proper mourning. You can court her properly then.”
Luke ran a hand through his hair, which no doubt was already standing on end from his mad dash out of bed.
“I’ll assure she and the child are content,” Blackheart reassured him.
The trouble was that Luke didn’t simply want her well-treated, he wanted her to be cared for and coddled, preferably by himself.
