Suddenly it dawned on Race that Morgan was making the same mistake he had, thinking the older woman was the duchess and the younger her companion.
Race laughed. “You have it wrong, as I did in the beginning. The Dowager Duchess of Bloomfield is the younger, beautiful lady. Her companion is the older, gray-haired woman, Mrs. Princeton.”
Morgan glanced back at him and grinned as he let the drapery panel fall back to its rightful place. “You blackguard, you can’t fool me.”
“I’m not trying to, Cousin. The younger lady is the dowager duchess. She was very vague about her past, and I didn’t press her, but do you remember something about a young miss being hastily married off to an older, reclusive duke about twelve years ago?”
Morgan’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’m not bringing anything to mind. Why? Did that happen to her? Was she caught dallying with a blade and then forced to marry someone else?”
“Possibly, I really don’t know her story, yet.”
Morgan pushed a small table and two chairs aside to get to a sideboard that held a crystal decanter of brandy. He poured a splash into two glasses, and giving one to Race, he quipped, “You intend to find out for sure, don’t you?”
Race clicked his glass against Morgan’s. “Of course,” he answered, leaving out the fact Her Grace all but challenged him to do it.
Morgan smiled ruefully. “I see she has intrigued you.”
Race shrugged and sipped his brandy. It was more than just her beauty that drew Race, but he wasn’t about to admit anything.
“Perhaps I should go see her and tell her I’m the only one who can talk you into giving her the pearls.”
Race stiffened. Cousin or not, he would not have Morgan near her.
Without fear or humor, Race said, “Don’t even consider paying her a visit.”
Morgan searched Race’s face with his cool blue gaze. Race remained firm. He didn’t want to fight his cousin about this, but he would if he had to.
“All right, all right,” Morgan relented, lifting his hands in surrender. “I agree she is all yours.”
Race relaxed. Morgan was smart enough to know that with this woman, Race didn’t want any competition.
“So tell me, what proof did she offer to back up her claim about the pearls?”
“Some documents.”
“What did they say?”
“I never looked at them.”
Admiration shone in his cousin’s eyes, yet he asked, “Was that wise?”
“What do you think?”
Morgan grinned as he leaned against a side table. “I think it gives you reason to see her again, if you decide that’s what you want to do.”
“And I might decide to look at the documents because…?” Race asked.
“Because she has fascinated you beyond your wildest dreams, and it’s been a long time since a woman has caught your interest with such astounding zeal.”
Race gave a short laugh and then took a long sip of the brandy. He wasn’t surprised that it didn’t take long for Morgan to see right through him.
“Is there anything you would like me to do? I could talk to Gibby or make some inquiries for you?”
“I want to take care of this myself.”
“Understood. But keep in mind it might be wise to find out more about her before you get much further along in this intrigue. There must be a reason for all this sudden interest in the pearls.”
“Instinct tells me it is only greed and lust.”
