“Which to my mind strengthens belief that all is not well in the Carlow family,” Michael said. “Because why would a young woman want anything to do with a man like him?”
“Power and status,” Zach said.
“Beth is not like that,” Nathan snapped.
“So it’s Beth again, is it?” Zach asked.
“She’s behaving out of character,” Nathan said, ignoring his youngest brother.
“And yet you were only too happy to believe she made a fool of you before,” Michael said. “Why has that changed?”
Nathan’s eyes went to Beth. Looked at the delicate curve of her jaw.
“Perhaps because of what we’ve uncovered, but also I am no longer blinded by rage and so many other emotions.”
“I do believe I’m about to cry.” Zach sniffed. “That really was a lovely statement.”
The words forced a laugh from Nathan. “Idiot.”
“But the most handsome idiot of us all.”
“We have another problem,” Nathan said softly so Mary and Beth did not hear. “It seems the book Valentine carries on his person constantly has gone missing. It is filled with pages of secrets the king entrusts him with.”
“What kind of secrets?” Michael asked.
“By the look on Valentine’s face when I confronted him about his cavalier care of the book, I would suggest the names of those involved in Alexius are one.”
His brothers cursed softly.
“Does Miss Carlow have it?” Michael asked softly.
“She said she didn’t.”
“Did you believe her?” Zach asked.
“I have no idea,” Nathan said honestly. “Once I would have, but this Bethany Carlow is very different to the one I knew.” His eyes found her and he felt a heavy weight settle in his chest.
“Valentine is searching for it with the others as we speak, so keep your eyes open. Apparently, pigs stole his jacket, and the book was in that.”
“Pardon?” Michael stared at him.
“It’s a long story.” Nathan waved a hand at his brothers. “It seems the man has a fear ofsus domesticus.”
“Ah yes, as named by Carl Linnaeus sometime in the 1700s, I believe?” Michael said.
“What?” Zach looked from Nathan to Michael.
“Swine, boy. We are discussing it,” Nathan said.
“Is it any wonder I am forced to consume vast amounts of alcohol nightly?” the youngest Deville said. “But enough of that. There are games afoot; come on.”
“Pardon?”
“The blindfolded egg-and-spoon race around an obstacle course, Nathan. I was sure you would have heard about it by now.”
“Apparently, it is a new development this year,” Michael said. “A woman guides the man, which concerns me slightly, but as I’ve said we’ll do it, there is no backing out now.”
“I hope you’re not including me in that,” Nathan demanded.
