“I’m her brother not her keeper,” Kent snapped. “Aye, Emma is independent and headstrong; she has had to be. She has managed our household since she was a girl, saw our family through poverty and loss.”
“A fact that I admire. If you can’t protect her from herself, however, then I certainly will,” Alaric said calmly. “We both know that Webb is our main and only suspect at this point, and he’s hiding somewhere in the stews. Thus, if Emma is determined to muck around, thetonis the safest place for her to do so.”
“I’m not daft, Strathaven, I know what you’re doing,” Kent growled. “You’re circulating her amongst your sort on purpose—grooming her to be your next duchess.”
Alaric didn’t bother denying it. Part of Emma’s resistance to marrying him had to do with her perception that they came from incompatible worlds. Which meant that getting her comfortable within his social stratum was essential to furthering his cause.
“Mrs. Kent was preparing to launch her anyway.” He gave an insouciant shrug. “With my backing, Emma will not only be a guaranteed success, she’ll land the Season’s biggest catch.”
“I don’t give adamnabout your title. You don’t have what it takes to make Emma happy.”
Will, who’d been watching the exchange with an air of mute fascination, burst out, “You... and Miss Emma? Bluidy hell,” he said, looking stunned, “Annabel was right.”
“My sister has not agreed to anything,” Kent said sharply.
“Not yet,” Alaric said.
Will’s face split into a sudden grin. “Lass wouldn’t have you? Turned down the great Duke of Strathaven himself?”
“Shut it, Peregrine.” Alaric narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Emmawillhave me.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Kent vowed.
Alaric’s patience snapped. “Just what do you have against me? Other than the wealth and privilege I intend to bestow upon your sister, that is?”
A heartbeat passed. Kent said, “Do you love her?”
Pinned by the other’s keen gaze, Alaric felt the ghosts within him swirl. Da’s furious brown eyes, the lecture he’d delivered between the stinging swishes of the belt.No son of mine would endanger his own brother.You’re a disgrace to the McLeod name. You have no part in this family...
Laura’s beautiful face contorted with feverish anger.You don’t love me.You’re not capable of love. Well, one day soon you’ll know what you’ve lost—
“I didn’t think so,” Kent said coldly.
Alaric tried to ignore the pressure at his temples. “I will take care of Emma. She will want for nothing.”
“Except for the one thing she needs most. Your philandering is common knowledge. My sister will give you her heart, her trust, and in return what do you have to offer?”
You’re nothing. A useless invalid.His guardian’s deathbed words sliced through him.I never should have taken you in...
“I am aduke,” he bit out.
Kent shook his head in disgust. “You don’t even understand, do you?”
Will cleared his throat. “Kent, far be it for me to interfere, but Strathaven, well, he’s my kin after all. Now I’m not saying he’s perfect, but he ain’t as bad as all that...”
Alaric took refuge behind a wall of anger. He didn’t need this investigator’s judgment, his brother’s condescension.
The righteous fools don’t know me. Devil take them both.
“I am marrying Emma. Get used to it or don’t, Kent—I don’t give a damn,” he said in chilling accents. “In the meantime, however, I’m paying you to find a murderer. If you cannot carry out your duties, say so now, and I’ll hire someone else.”
White-lipped, the other man said, “I will do my bloody job, your grace. If for no other reason than to put an end to this case and my sister’s involvement with you.”
Will looked as if he might speak... and then shook his shaggy head and looked out the window. Silence descended upon the cabin, and whilst Alaric maintained an icy facade, his mind spun like the carriage wheels. He knew how much Emma valued her brother’s opinion—hell, she looked up to him like he was bloody saint.
What would she do if Kent forbade the match? What choice would she make?
Alaric’s hands clenched with sudden ferocity.There’s only one choice. No one is going to take her from me. Emma is mine.
