“Or my brother, Conner. And Conner may be spoiled and far too arrogant for his britches, but if anything were to happen to him, I would track them down, and they would pay dearly.”
His tone was uncompromising. But, of course, Axel would protect and defend his younger brother.
“Is he a happy child?” Felicity had wondered this. Was Axel’s father’s cruelty strictly reserved for his older son?
“Louisa dotes on Conner, so he has that. But my father is mostly apathetic. I want to teach him Jiu-Jitsu. But one of his tutors has deemed the practice wicked, and Conner refused our lessons the last two times I’ve offered.” Axel sent her a wry grimace. “I had myself convinced that my presence at Crest House mattered to him but… He no longer seems interested. I fear he’s going to have difficulties once he goes off to school.”
“You think he’ll be bullied?”
“It’s possible. He has an air about him…”
Even when they didn’t want him to, Axel protected those he considered to be his own.
“He’ll come around,” Felicity offered.
“I hope so.”
She didn’t understand the dynamics of his family. Was it possible that his father blamed him for his first wife’s death? But then why not blame his sister?
And it was odd that he would be apathetic toward his second son. Something niggled at her brain.
“If something happens to you, Conner inherits the title,” she said.
“Yes.” But then he caught her eye, having guessed the conclusion that could be drawn from that fact. “My father hates me, but not to that extent.” He seemed almost hurt at the suggestion.
“Of course. I’m sorry.” Felicity stared down at the blades of grass peaking between the stones as she carefully chose her steps. “I hate that someone is out there… I hate that you are in danger.”
Felicity inhaled a steadying breath through her nostrils. A very ugly possibility was forming in her mind. If she and Axel were prevented from marrying, not only would she give birth out of wedlock, but their child would be born a bastard.
Meaning Axel’s younger brother would inherit their father’s title. It wasn’t an unheard-of motivation—she’d read of at least a dozen instances where family members had killed in order to gain power.
“Perhaps we ought to marry by special license.” She felt dizzy at the thought. Would he be safe after they’d married? Perhaps… if her suspicions were correct.
Foregoing a church wedding meant nothing compared to ensuring Axel’s safety. As she’d found herself doing more and more often, she flattened her hand against her belly, which wasn’t as flat as it had been even one week before.
Likely, they ought to have married already anyway.
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t let go of the terrible possibility that Axel’s own father was the one who’d initiated these attempts on his life. That night after dinner, she’d witnessed pure hatred in the man’s eyes. Her future father-in-law was a cruel and heartless man.
“I promised both your mother and your father that you would have your wedding at St. Georges.”
“Axel, please listen to me.” She felt sick to her stomach. “If you are—” She couldn’t even say the word. “If something were to happen to you before our wedding, your father’s title would go to your brother.”
Her most gentle fiancé’s face darkened, and for the first time in the course of their attachment, he stared at her with disapproval and annoyance. But she could not keep this to herself.
“Stop. My father is an ass, and… I make no excuses for his despicable treatment of you, but you are speaking of my flesh and blood. I value your opinion, but I must ask you to keep such accusations to yourself in the future.”
The tone in his voice sent a chill sweeping through her. Felicity hated that he’d taken offense at her words. She hated, even more, the pain she saw in his eyes.
But this affected both of them. Any person who would be willing to kill his own son might be equally willing to harm his son’s child.
“If I’m wrong, then there is no harm done. But if I’m right—”
“You’re wrong—” He dropped his gaze to the ground, clenching his jaw, the muscles beneath her hand tense.
She would drop the idea.
For now.
