Trevor’s hands itched to slam his fist into the man’s nose. How could Putney even think such a thing? “Has it slipped your mind that Adam and Amanda were born tomywife? Under the laws in England, that would mean the twins are my children, not yours.”
“But you do not want them,” Putney sneered. “Clearly, by the way you have ignored the poor children; you wish they had not been born.” He lifted his chin as if to challenge Trevor. “On the other hand, I want them both. I want to be their father since I loved their mother so much. Amanda looks just like Gwen and I want to see her daily and be reminded of the love we once shared.” His eyes misted. “Gwen was not supposed to die.”
“You are correct. She was supposed to live and care for her children. Unfortunately, there were other things that seemed more important to her, like carrying on an affair behind her husband’s back.” Trevor grumbled under his breath. Being reminded about the past literally churned his stomach, and looking upon Putney as if he deserved the twins’ love made Trevor want to vomit. “As it is, until I know who sired them, Adam and Amanda will remain in my home as my children. Is that clear?”
“Abundantly, Your Grace.” Putney turned, and charged out the door.
Inhaling deeply, Trevor tried to calm the anger and betrayal threatening to kill him. If he could have changed places with Gwen and been the one to die, he would have. Living a lie and knowing the scandal might ruin those children wasn’t worth this heartache. Trevor knew well what scandal does to children, since his own father had punished his family until his dying breath.
Trevor stormed out of the room. Several of his servants lingered in the hallway, pretending to be doing something constructive. They didn’t meet his gaze, which told him they’d heard every word. Nevertheless, it wasn’t them he wanted to lash out on right now.
“Mrs. Jacobs,” he hollered up the stairs.
Up the staircase he ran, skipping every other step until he reached the second level. His legs ate up the space as he made his way to the nursery. Mrs. Jacobs was reading the children a book when he walked inside. The older woman’s eyes widened and her face paled.
“Might I have a word?” he growled.
She nodded and looked at the twins. “Play with your blocks until I return.”
Amanda switched her gaze between him and her nursemaid, nodding slowly. Adam followed instructions quickly without blinking an eye. Trevor stepped out of the room, not wanting the children to hear what he had to say. When Mrs. Jacobs closed the nursery door behind her, she looked at him with frightened eyes.
“I will make this quick, so listen well. If I ever hear of you gossiping about my family or what goes on in this household again, I will dismiss you without a reference. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Those two children in there—” he pointed to the room—“should not have to be the ridicule of gossip. I will not have them growing up to have their peers whispering nonsense behind their backs. It does them more harm than you realize, and the last thing I want is for them to be hurt. Do you understand?”
Mrs. Jacobs nodded again, flexing her hands by her side. “I understand.”
“Good. See that you do not open your mouth unwisely again.”
He turned and stomped back to his study, knowing he needed a strong drink very soon. As he passed Louisa’s room, he thought the door cracked open a bit, but he didn’t stop to look. Instead, a bottle of scotch was what he needed to calm his ire.
When he entered his room, he slammed the door. The pictures on the wall shook. He cursed his life, hoping he would get so foxed that all the ache and pain would leave him to peace.
*
“What do yemean she’s missin’?” Richard Macgregor shouted at the insipid child in front of him. “Didn’t ye both leave for the same area the other night?”
David cringed and shook his head. His dirty brown hair stuck to his ears and didn’t move at all. “That we did, sir—as we’ve done before—but we’ve never come back at the same time.” His Adam’s apple bobbed once. “I waited and waited for Louisa to come home, and when she didn’t, I went looking for her. I asked everyone, I did, and nobody seen her, not even once during the evening.” He shrugged. “She’s up and disappeared, I tell ye.”
Anger rose inside Richard’s head and he bunched his hands into fists. “I highly doubt she was stupid enough to get herself caught by the police. She’s better than that.”
“Aye, Mr. Macgregor. She’s a slippery as an eel, and she taught all of us how to hide or run away from getting caught.”
“Just in case, I will have the gaol checked.” He flipped his hand through the air, causing David to flinch. “Now be off with ye. Time’s a wastin’ and you won’t be makin’ any money standin’ around talkin’ to me.”
“Aye, sir.” The gawky youth fled out the door as fast as his worn-out shoes would carry him.
Richard grumbled curses as he strutted into the room where all the children slept on bedrolls. All rolls were neatly foldedand placed against the wall—even Louisa’s—but the children were gone to do their daily earnings. If Richard hadn’t been entertaining a certain harlot last night, he would have noticed when his prized pupil didn’t return home.
“Augh.” He slammed his fist against the wall. He should have known Louisa would soon become a problem. After all, the older they grew, the more they gained a conscience and realized thieving for him was wrong.
Richard had been in this business long enough to know the attitude pattern of those who worked for him, so he should have realized that Louisa was being more compliant… friendlier, and more eager to make him happy. She must have also assumed what he wanted to do with her. Girls her age were too old to pickpocket. Especially the pretty girls. They were better use to the older gents, the ones who would pay handsomely to have a willing wench in their bed for a night of pleasure. Even a few madams were eyeing Louisa as someone they could add to their brothels.
Richard needed her back immediately. Louisa brought in more money than the others. He couldn’t allow her to leave. He didn’t think she’d been caught. The girl was too clever for that. No, she was running, to be sure.
Scurrying out of the room, he snapped curses on his way to the front door. He’d instruct the children to watch for her. He’d ask his friends as well. Richard would find that girl if it was the last thing he did—and when he found her, he’d punish her severely. She’d think twice about leaving him again.
