Stenfax tensed, gripping the chair arms with both hands as he fought every violent tendency that rushed through his body. “Yes,” he ground out.
Winstead arched a brow. “I never touched her beyond a kiss, Stenfax. And even that she hardly returned. I recognized her hesitance. I hoped once day she would overcome her reticence, but it seems it wasn’t meant to be.”
Stenfax blinked as those words sank in. Elise had said the same to him, that she had never bedded this man. He realized, in a horrible flash of truth, that some part of him had doubted her words. Some tiny inch still doubtedher, even though he knew her motivations in leaving him all those years ago.
It seemed old habits died hard.
“She’s in danger, isn’t she?” Winstead asked, breaking into Stenfax’s thoughts.
He set his jaw, almost as troubled by the fact that Elise might have confided in this man as he was that she could have been with him. “Did she tell you that?”
“No. Not exactly. She implied her situation was precarious, but nothing more. The new Duke of Kirkford’s behavior toward her is obvious. When he dragged her to Lord and Lady Swinton’s party in a gown more suited for Vivien’s parlor than a proper one, it was clear he wished to destroy her. And then there is the fear that always seems to be in Elise’s eyes.” Winstead’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not a fool. I know she’s being threatened.”
Stenfax clenched the chair arms again. “Yes,” he admitted softly. “She is. The new duke is just as bad as the old one. She has not been safe in years, it seems.”
“He’s been heard around the clubs, you know, claiming there is some secret about her. Actually, he claims to be looking for access to the secrets of many a person. Especially when he’s drunk.”
Stenfax couldn’t mask his surprise that this man who’d wanted to be her lover would be so direct with the man who’d stolen her from him. “Did he say what he knew about Elise?”
“No. And right now I don’t think anyone believes him. He’s seen as a pathetic lout, truth be told.”
Stenfax let out a low sigh of relief. “I hope it stays that way,” he murmured. “I also hope you won’t turn whatever anger you may feel at losing her against her.”
Winstead tilted his head. “I’ll admit losing her stings a bit. But I’ll survive it. And I don’t think Elise deserves the censure or fear I think she’s endured. Not from Kirkford…not fromanyone.”
Stenfax flinched, for the accusation was obvious in the young man’s tone. And that it was deserved, was the worst part. He had no defense over the truth.
“Well, I thank you for that promise. And for your kindness toward my future wife when she so obviously needed it. Good day, Winstead.”
He bowed stiffly and Winstead got up to follow him in to the foyer. They shook hands once more there, and Winstead said, “I truly hope you can find a way to make Elise happy. And yourself. It seems, after so long being separated that you both deserve that. Good day.”
Stenfax’s horse was brought around then and Winstead strode off, leaving Stenfax to digest what he’d said.
Elise didn’t deserve what had happened. Elise didn’t deserve to be threatened. Elise didn’t deserve to be abused. No, she did not. So he turned his horse toward not his own house, but another one.
And knew he’d break a promise he’d made not only to Elise, but to his brother.
Chapter Eighteen
The cart he’d sent with two of his largest footmen was pulling onto the drive at Elise’s dower house when he arrived. He rode his horse to the edge of the entryway and was readying himself to get down when he heard a rustle in the bushes beside him and his name whispered on the wind.
“Stenfax.”
He turned to find Gray moving onto the street. His brother folded his arms and arched a brow at him.
“Bloody hell,” Stenfax muttered as he placed his feet on the ground. “Did you follow me?”
“No,” Gray said. “Not followed. Just anticipated you’d do something so foolhardy. What are you thinking coming here, Lucien, after what we discussed earlier in the day at your home?”
Stenfax gripped his hands at his sides as rage boiled up in him. Rage he had controlled for a long time but now broke free.
“I will not turn tail and run away from a man who dared place his hands on the woman I love. Who dares to threaten my sister. I stood by idly for years, knowing his cousin had stolen all I held dear. Now I’m expected to send servants to collect Elise’s things, just to make sure I won’t offend that bastard of a new duke if he’s here? This is too damned much.”
Gray let out a sigh. “Is there any turning you from this path?”
“No,” Lucien said softly.
Gray nodded. “Well, I assumed there would not be. Come then, let’s go.”
