“You’re a baron?” Lissa’s question was not surprising, though the tone of disbelief did make him cringe.
“I am.” He wanted to explain, but the duchess clapped her gloved hands.
“I knew it. I cannot wait to tell James.”
Though the duchess was practically laughing with enjoyment, Lissa remained pensive. He waited patiently. It was only a matter of time before she would request more information.
“Well, my Lord Bellamore, it is a pleasure to know you.” Her Grace beamed with pleasure.
He held no misconceptions that all Her Grace’s family would soon learn of his heritage. While he had expected it to be so, it was necessary in order to move forward with his plan for infiltrating Leighhall’s house party. He needed both women with him for his brother to give his ideas credence, and he did want a bit of advice, if Darius was in a pleasant mood. He never knew with this particular brother.
“Why then do you tell everyone you’re Mr. Taylour?” Lissa’s tone was far calmer than he expected.
He wished he could explain to her alone, but the duchess was listening avidly. “Because it is the way I wish to be addressed. I am, after all, Mr. Taylour. This is the name I most identify with. Can you imagine what they would have said to me when I wished to join the Bow Street Runners or even the military? They would have made assumptions about my abilities, wealth, and connections. But by being Mr. Taylour, I am perceived simply as a man that someone needs to become familiar with before passing judgment.”
“I see.” Lissa didn’t make any movement to tell him she truly understood and would forgive him for hiding his parentage from her. He wanted more than anything to have her ask more questions, rail at him, or simply refuse to be his friend.
His heart skipped a beat at that thought. He hadn’t realized how much he valued their friendship until that very moment. Maybe he hadn’t considered all the possibilities of his plan. Losing Lissa was not worth impressing his brother. But was he to keep his identity a secret from her forever?
The duchess laid a hand on Lissa’s knee. “I’m sure you are quite surprised after being friends with Lord Blackmore and Mr. Taylour here.” She turned toward him. “I believe I understand why you have not used your title. And I promise, my husband and I will keep your secret. It is something only you should disclose, and I’m honored that you took us into your confidence.”
“Your Grace, I had no such expectations, but I am thankful for your understanding.”
He looked at Lissa to see if she would offer any assurances as well, but her gaze was directed to the passing scenery.
She was angry. No doubt she felt betrayed, but he hadn’t betrayed her. Mr. Taylour was who he was, not Baron Bellamore. His mother had taught him as a young man that a person’s station in life had nothing to do with their worth. It was a radical idea, but considering his mother’s beginnings, the sentiment had become the foundation of his life.
Silence filled the coach. With the knot in his stomach, he was not inclined to break it. As the miles passed, he focused on what he would say to his brother in order to obtain the invitation. Since Leighhall lived much closer to Darius than to himself, it would not be such an odd request, just somewhat unusual. Darius could paint him as his reckless younger brother, which was exactly what he thought of him anyway.
“Mr. Taylour.” The duchess’s sudden address caught him unawares.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Perhaps now is a good time to tell us why you are visiting your brother. I had, of course, assumed that you wanted him to meet Lissette, but I have reasoned that this is not the case at all and perhaps she is simply the excuse to have me accompany you.”
He forgot to breathe for a moment. That the duchess was so observant had not occurred to him. He looked to Lissa, whose eyes widened before she quickly looked to him and smirked. No doubt she thought he deserved to be discovered.
He’d learned early in his investigative career that staying as close to the truth was best. “Your Grace, I can see why you opened a school for curious ladies as you, yourself, are the epitome of one. Your powers of deduction are frankly, remarkable.”
The woman lifted her chin in acknowledgment.
“You are correct. It is not simply that I wish Mademoiselle Lissette to meet my brother, which I do.” He looked at Lissa to make sure she understood. When she gave him a regal nod of her own, he felt the knot in his stomach loosen somewhat. “I am also here to request a boon of my brother, and having a lady such as Your Grace in my company may perhaps persuade my brother that I have left Mr. Taylour behind and fully embraced Baron Bellamore, and therefore, I would be worthy of my request.”
“So you wish me to, in effect, sponsor you to your own brother?”
He chuckled, hearing it put in such a way. “In essence, yes.”
She looked to Lissa then back at him. “And may I know what the request entails? If I’m to play my part in what I can only imagine is your investigation for Lord Harewood, more details would be helpful.”
He looked again to Lissa, who now grinned for the first time since entering the carriage. He wasn’t sure if it was because she admired her teacher or enjoyed the position he’d put himself in.“I wish to obtain an invitation to a certain lord’s house party so that I might follow my subject closer.”
“I see. And the only way your brother would help you obtain this invitation is if he thinks you have settled into your role on your estate?”
Relieved she understood his odd family dynamics, he nodded. “That is correct.”
The duchess looked to Lissa. “You know Mr. Taylour almost as well as Lord Blackmore. Do you think we should aid him in his quest?”
Lissa appeared to ponder the question carefully, then she looked at him intently, letting him know he would have to grant her wish to attend said house party were she to comply.
