An hour later, Patrice finally went upstairs to bed, leaving Alaric to bid goodnight to Will.
In the foyer, Will said in a low voice, “She’s quite an, ahem, interesting lady, your aunt.”
“She’s your aunt, too,” Alaric said irritably.
“Right.” Will cleared his throat. “Is she always this… full of energy?”
“Hysterics are part of her daily regimen.” The minute Alaric said it, shame tugged at him. “She means well,” he amended. “During the years when I was ill, she cared for me as if I were her own. Nursed me day and night.”
Then why don’t I feel true affection for her?
Laura was right about one thing: Iama coldhearted bastard.
“Can’t blame her for worrying after you, I suppose.” Pausing, Will said, “You have enough on your plate as it is, what with Mercer still on the loose. How do you plan to manage her as well?”
Alaric’s temples throbbed just thinking about it. In spite of the lateness, Lady Patrice had insisted on summoning the housekeeper to review the week’s menus; she’d wanted to ensure that the meals suited his delicate constitution. Then she’d directed two maids to change his old bedclothes to the new ones she’d brought because Scottish flannel would help him sleep better. She’d had those same blurry-eyed maids search through her mountain of luggage to locate a satchel of white sage. Apparently, some quack had sold it to her, claiming that burning the herb would ward off evil and keep Alaric safe.
As usual, she brushed off his objections by simply ignoring them. Or growing tearful.
Obligation or not, one hour in her presence was already driving him mad. With the hunt for Mercer, he had enough to contend with. The last thing he wanted was to deal with an anxious, overbearing dowager.
Then it struck him.Hewouldn’t have to deal with Patrice.
Because he’d found someone else perfectly suited for the task.
“We’ll rendezvous at Kent’s tomorrow morning,” he said. “I have a plan.”
Chapter Thirty
“You wantmeto entertain your aunt?” Emma said.
“Just for a few hours.” Alaric put on his most charming smile. “It’ll be good for you to get to know the old girl. You talk about the importance of family, after all. Don’t you wish to be acquainted with mine?”
They were in a private parlor of the Kents’ townhouse. Alaric had arrived moments before and asked to speak with Emma in private. The door was open, Mrs. Kent just outside. Which was unfortunate because Emma looked delectable in dotted muslin trimmed with lavender ribbon. She reminded him of a bonbon, and he would have dearly liked to savor every bit of her. Instead, he’d had to settle for a quick kiss that only made him hungry for more.
Time for that later, he told himself.Deal with the problem at hand—or, rather, the one waiting in the carriage.
“I’ve never had tea with a duchess before.” Emma nibbled on her lip. “What if I say or do something wrong?”
“Just be yourself. You’re perfect.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you pouring on the butter boat?”
“It is the truth.” Taking her hand, he played his trump card. “It would relieve my mind, pet, knowing that Lady Patrice is here with you. Until we hunt Mercer down, I need to know that the ones I care about are guarded and safe. It will allow me to focus on catching the villain.”
“I’ll take care of your aunt,” Emma said instantly. “You can entrust her to me.”
“Thank you, sweeting.” He paused; in all good conscience, he couldn’t leave without tipping his hand a little. “You recall I had a digestive illness in my youth?”
“You mentioned it when we were talking about the family who ate the poisoned mushrooms.” Emma tilted her head. “Why do you bring it up now?”
“At times, the disease was quite debilitating, and Aunt Patrice devoted herself to my care. Tirelessly. I owe her more than I can say.” Treading with care, he said, “She is, however, possessed of a... nervous disposition. She can be rather lively.”
“Livelier than a bunch of Kents? I doubt it. Don’t worry about a thing.”
Her nonchalance relieved him. Curling his finger beneath her chin, he said, “I knew you were the one for the job, pet.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’d rather help hunt down Mercer than be a nanny for your aunt.”
