Tristan remained leaning back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest. “In the next few days, we ask around. We gather a list of those friends and acquaintances that had a daughter, sister, or grandchild disappear who could be Louisa’s age. Then we turn this list in to Mother to invite to her weekend party. If any of these people are Louisa’s family, she will recognize them, I hope.”
Trey slapped his older brother on the shoulder. “Tristan, you are brilliant. Mother has been hounding me for names of people she could invite, and now I shall be able to help her.” He glanced at the other men around the table. “We shall all be able to help.”
Hawthorne and Tristan lifted their glass in a mock salute before drinking down the liquid.
Trevor pushed away from the table and stood. “Best of luck, men. Please ask around without giving away the real reason wewant to know. In case Louisa is not who we think she is, I do not wish rumors to fly. Is that understood?”
“Perfectly.” Dominic smiled. Trey and Tristan also acknowledged with a nod.
“Now, if you will excuse me. I have other matters to attend to.” Trevor turned and stepped away, moving toward the door. But just as he reached the exit, another lord entered and nearly collided with Trevor.
When he recognized the lord, he bunched his hands by his sides.Viscount Putney.The very man he couldn’t wait to speak with.
*
Trevor anticipated somekind of reaction from the viscount. They stood staring at each other as if waiting for someone to draw their sword first. Finally, Putney’s face hardened into a scowl, and his cheeks grew as red as his hair.
The viscount appeared as upset over their chance meeting as Trevor. “Putney, might I have a minute?”
The viscount lifted his arrogant nose as if he meant to snub Trevor. “Actually, Your Grace, I do have other business—”
“It will only take a minute, I assure you.”
Putney’s glare grew hotter as if he meant to burn holes through Trevor with his eyes. After a few awkward moments passed, the other man nodded.
Motioning toward another room, Trevor said, “Let us speak in here where it’s more private.”
“I agree.”
Right away, a servant hurried to their side. “May I get you a drink, my lords?”
Trevor flipped his hand in a dismissal wave. “I think now is not the time—”
“But I would like a brandy,” Putney quickly replied.
The servant gave a nod, turned and left the room.
Taking a deep breath, Trevor tried to calm his anger toward the other man. “Putney, I will make this short and to the point.”
“I wish you would, Your Grace.”
“Fine. You should know that Adam and Amanda are not your children,” Trevor said softly.
The viscount’s eyes widened before a dark scowl claimed his face. “How can you be so certain? The last I saw of them their hair had a trace of red, which makes them my offspring.”
“I beg to differ. My mother has a trace of red in her hair as well. But of late, I have come to notice how much the twins resemble me.” Trevor smiled as happiness filled his chest. This always happened when he thought of his beautiful children. “Their noses and mouths are the same shape as mine, and when they smile, they have a dimple in the same spot as I do. Adam even resembles Trey when he was a boy. Indeed, they aremychildren and not yours.” He straightened just a little prouder and lifted his chin higher than before.
Putney’s eyes misted and he blinked quickly. Sadness etched on his face even though he tried to look unaffected. Trevor almost felt sorry for him. Almost, but not quite. Did that make him a bad person because he didn’t care about Putney’s feelings? After all, Trevor wanted to believe he was a caring, understanding man even when it came to men who were in love with Gwen.
The viscount blew out a ragged breath. “Then I feel sorry for those poor children to have you as a father. I’m just happy to know I was the one who held their mother’s love.”
Trevor silently reprimanded himself for having second thoughts about the other man’s feelings. “Well, Putney, at least she was able to have some happiness in her life since all she brought to mine was misery.” He bowed. “Good day,” hesnapped before leaving the room and hurrying out through the door.
Maybe now the viscount would leave him alone. Trevor didn’t want to admit that every time he saw that man, he remembered Gwen in Putney’s arms that time in the stable. Her betrayal had hurt so much Trevor had actually wanted her dead. At the time, his injured pride had wanted revenge. Still, it was hard for him not to think he’d killed her. Perhaps he’d never be able to free the burden of guilt weighing heavily on his mind. But at least now he could rest easier, knowing the children were his.
Not far up the road, his landau sat parked waiting for him. Instead of waiting for the vehicle to be brought around, Trevor decided to walk. The weather was nice this early in the evening, and since he didn’t have any pressing appointments, taking a small walk would do his mind good.
As long as he didn’t think about Louisa.
