“Of course not,” he said, shocked that she might think it of him, even for a minute.“I merely got him out of your hair.”
“How?”
“I bribed him, gave him a ticket to America and a small sum of money to start him off.”
“And of course he took it.”
He nodded.She didn’t need to know how eager her brother was to take the money and abandon her.“The fact that the Greelings were searching for him was an added inducement.”
“So you sent him away.Trussed like a fowl,the elder Greeling said.”
Marcus shrugged.“Apparently he resisted.”
She laughed.“Oh, how I wish I’d seen that.And you’re sure he won’t be back?”
He shook his head.“Even if young Albert doesn’t find him, the Greelings will be waiting for Edgar if he ever returns to England.He’s a fool if he does.”
There was a short silence, broken only by the sound of the wheels rattling over cobbles and the noise of street hawkers calling their wares.“Why didn’t you tell me what you’d done?”she asked.
“I thought it would upset you, knowing I was responsible.He is, after all, your brother and only living relative.”And she was a very loyal person.
“Blood isn’t everything,” she said tightly.“Edgar lost the right to my love and loyalty a long time ago.He showed none to me.Quite the contrary.”She slipped a small cold hand into his and added, “And I’m not at all upset.In fact, it’s a relief to know he’s so far away.For a long time I expected him to pounce on me any minute.Every time we went out riding or walking in the park.So when I was kidnapped, I naturally assumed it was Edgar.”
He squeezed her hand.It was small and soft.“I’m sorry.I should have told you.”
“Yes, you should have.I’m very grateful to you for it, but I’ve had quite enough of secrets.I would prefer it if there were none between us in future.”She looked up at him.“Agreed?”
“Agreed,” he said.Again, he wished he could just pull her into his arms and hold her, but somehow, while she sat beside him, so quiet and composed, he just couldn’t.He was the Earl of Alverleigh, and rectitude was his middle name.Dammit.
When they reached his house, he politely helped her down from the carriage and escorted her inside—no carrying her off romantically like Flynn had of his wife.
So very proper and dull of him, he thought in disgust as his aunt surged forward and embraced Tessa warmly, exclaiming over her horrid adventure and demanding to know all the details.Talking non-stop, she led Tessa into the sitting room, leaving it to Marcus to arrange tea, refreshments and brandy.He also ordered a bath for Tessa to be ready as soon as his aunt had finished interrogating her.He knew she’d want one.
Chapter Thirteen
“Ihave a job for you, young Joey,” Marcus said the following day.He’d tracked the boy down to the kitchen, where he was energetically scrubbing carrots.
