Estates.
He felt that word like a brand, just as he did his fairly new title of “Duke.” He could still feel the phantom heat of the Suffolk fire. For everyone else at the ton, he was a pillar of the community. Yet he could not help but feel that he was nothing but a thief stepping over the charred remains of a seat that should have been Kenneth’s. Everything that he had felt like they had been merely borrowed. He never truly cared about lands or gold, even when he was all but assured to inherit his father’s marquisate.
In truth, Daniel needed peace more than anything.
“On my last visit to Suffolk, Kenneth requested a private word. That was the purpose of my journey: to hear him out, to stand beside him and Uncle Algernon, as I ought,” Daniel said, his strides measured now, no longer restless, but restrained by force of will. “They return to me in the night. They remind me of my unmet duty. I… I should have gone more often. I should have known. Whatever he meant to confide in me, I would have borne it. I would have faced itwithhim.”
He halted then and let out a long breath.
“If that news placed him in danger, then I will uncover why,” he resolved. “I will not allow his death to remain a mystery whispered in corridors. The duchy is not a prize I coveted; it is a burden I carry becausethey are gone. And I will see it honored. I will see themhonored.”
A long pause settled between them, thick and deliberate. This time, Theo did not rush to fill it. He allowed Daniel the dignity of his silence, to let him stand in it, command it, own it, all without interruption.
“I was close,” Daniel said at last, his voice low and controlled. “Close enough to feel the heat of the flames on my skin. I saw him, Theo. The shadow of a man fleeing like a coward into the dark. I reached the house too late to pull Uncle Algernon and Kenneth from the fire. And I did not seize the man responsible. That failure is mine.” He let out another long, steadying breath. “But hear me well: I will not carry it as weakness. I will carry it as a purpose. I will find him. I will learn what Kenneth meant to tell me. And I will see justice done. I do not abandon my own.”
Theo sighed and put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
“I understand. Well, perhaps I do not precisely understand the weight of your loss, but I admire how you manage to stop using your fists, at least. We are not in the right place for that. Even without raising our hands, our mere presence provokes anger here in the gutters of London. What you do need is someone who navigates both worlds with ease.”
“Both worlds?” Daniel’s interest was piqued.
“Yes. You’ve probably heard of a man called Valentine St. Clair.”
Daniel froze. He knew that name. His brother-in-law, the Duke of Wolfcrest, used to own gambling hells and was familiar with the underworld. He had mentioned that name.
“Valentine St. Clair,” he repeated. “When I spoke with Adrian about my search, he mentioned he still has some connections with the underworld for, er, certain emergencies. He has now retired to provide what one must refer to as specialized services, but he is still in contact with his old acquaintances. St. Clair is one of them; Adrian certainly has a still current address.”
“I’d say you have what constitutes an emergency,” Theo pointed out.
“It’s been a year since the fire, and we may be following a cold trail.” Daniel frowned, “But it wouldn’t pose any harm if I spoke with St. Clair.”
“It is an emergency, for you may end up killing or being killed because of how this investigation infuriates you,” Theo reminded him.
“Well, St. Clair seems to be my only lead at the moment. Go home, Theo. I’ve dragged you into this mess far too much already.”
“But—”
“I insist,” Daniel said with finality. “Go home. Rest. I can handle a meeting with a male escort.”
Theo chuckled, and Daniel rolled his eyes.
“Very well, my friend. Just… be discreet. You know how rumors spread when a peer is seen with a man who provides such services,” Theo warned gently.
Daniel straightened his coat. “I’ll be careful.”
And with that, Theo nodded and walked away, leaving Daniel to continue with the night’s search.
Lucy did not know what she was doing. She took a carriage before she could change her mind about her visit to Valentine St. Clair. Still, fear overtook her as they navigated narrow, dark alleys.
To her surprise, at the end of the street with its dingy buildings, was a discreetly grand townhouse. St. Clair seemed to have done well for himself. It was easy enough to tell, even though they had passed by the back of his house.
She remained inside the carriage, breathing hard, wondering if her trusted driver could hear. She was frozen, her muscles rigid. It was taking all her strength to move a hand, much less her whole body.
It must have been about ten minutes after the carriage stopped.
Seemingly sensing her distress, the driver asked, “Are you all right, Lady Lucy?”
Lucy did not know if she wanted to pursue the rendezvous, but she’d come so far. She sighed heavily, wondering what she had gotten herself into. At the same time, a strange thrill pushed her to move.
