Page 69 of The Beastly Earl

The fact both Constance and Percy had seen the death of Lady Argaty was bad enough, but it was their description of Louisa's nightgown smeared with blood that had spurred him into leaving the Abbey before he'd even sat down to breakfast. His brother and sister had followed him a few minutes later as they'd waited for another carriage to be made ready.

He'd arrived at Argaty Keep to find Constable Duncan presiding over the investigation of the dowager countess's murder, and learned the earl had been injured by the murderer. Although the constable had reassured him that Louisa was unharmed, Sebastian surmised the youngest Rockwood would most likely be deeply troubled.

For almost three years, Louisa's life had been difficult, and he was deeply concerned as to how being embroiled in a murder might be her undoing. The old Louisa had only just returned to him a short time ago. He didn't want to lose her again.

His concerns had not been alleviated when the constable had quietly shared how the manner of Lady Argaty's death was remarkably similar to murders of two village women over the past two years. Now the worried expression on Constance's face made his heart sink.

"How is she?" he bit out.

"The horror of this morning's events has left her quite shaken, but her demeanor was remarkably serene when I found her in the nursery. I think it was mostly for the benefit of the boys," Constance said quietly. "She sobbed like a baby when we were collecting the last of her things in her room. She said she needed a few minutes to compose herself so as not to worry the children, but would be down shortly."

At his sister's words, Sebastian muttered an oath beneath his breath. He should have known better than to give way to her plan when she first came to Argaty Keep. He should have insisted she return home with him immediately. As usual, where Louisa was concerned hindsight was generally one of regret. Helen teased him constantly about how easily Tilly and Louisa could have him dancing to their tune and not his. He released a grunt of disgust at his failure to prevent his sister from twisting him around her little finger once again.

"Is she still frightened?" Sebastian studied Constance's face as her sister ignored him for a minute as if lost in thought.

"Actually, I don't think the morning's events are as disturbing to her as the fact that she's leaving Argaty Keep," Constance mused softly.

"She wants to stay?" Sebastian frowned in amazement. Why would his sister want to remain here at the keep? Constance's gaze swung from Sebastian to Percy.

"I believe she's more heartbroken than anything else."

"Heartbroken?" Sebastian stared at his sister in confused disbelief. "I don't understand."

"Damnation. It's as bad as that?" Percy eyed their sister with a pensive frown furrowing his brow. Constance nodded with a sigh.

"More so than we suspected."

His sister's response made Sebastian clasp his hands behind his back as he eyed the two of them in silent frustration. It was maddening as hell when he was forced to wait until someone apprised him of what others intuitively already knew. At times like these, he'd often wished he'd had the an dara sealladh himself.

Sebastian grimaced. No, he was glad he hadn't inherited the family gift of sight. He'd seen the price his family often paid for seeing something that only made sense after the worst had happened. It was in those moments of pain that he was the one to take charge and make things as easy as possible for his loved ones. Still it was difficult to solve a problem when he didn't know what the problem was.

"Will the two of you tell me what in blue blazes you're talking about?" At his growl of frustration, Constance quickly touched his arm.

"I'm sorry, Sebastian. I know how frustrating it can be when we don't explain what the an dara sealladh has shown us. She's in love."

"Louisa is in love?" Dumbfounded, Sebastian tried to take in what Constance had just said.

"Then why is she leaving?" Percy exclaimed as he diverted their sister's attention.

"Apparently Wills unwittingly revealed who he was, and it wasn't too far a leap to realize Louisa was the Viscountess Westbrook. She said the man was furious that she'd deceived him."

"Who is she in love with, and who is angry with her?" Sebastian snapped.

"Argaty, you goose. She's in love with the Earl of Argaty." Constance released a whoosh of air as she eyed her oldest brother with exasperated affection. "When he discovered her deception, the man immediately dismissed her and ordered her to leave the keep no later than today."

"If the man's in love with her, why would he do that?" Percy mused as he bent his head to study the carpet.

"How do you know he's in love with her?" Sebastian demanded as he clenched his jaw. He'd have the earl's head if the cad had broken Louisa's heart. She'd suffered enough for ten lifetimes.

"Constance saw it," Percy said then winced as their sister released a noise of disgust and glared at her brother.

"You are like a bull in a china shop, Percy Rockwood," Constance snapped as she turned her head toward Sebastian. "I only saw Argaty staring at our sister as if he were a lovesick Romeo pining away for Juliet."

"Then why send her away?" Sebastian shook his head as he met his sister's gaze.

"I don't know, but if Lord Argaty is anything like my husband or my eldest brother, then I have my suspicions." Constance scolded with affection. "But there's something else—"

A clattering of boots on stone echoed into the parlor prevented Constance from finishing her sentence. Sebastian turned his head to see his two nephews charge into the parlor, followed by Ross Colquhoun who moved at a much slower pace. Wills launched himself toward Sebastian and with ease, he swung the boy up into his arms. His nephew hugged him then stretched away from him slightly to look up at Sebastian.