Page 16 of By Any Other Name

“You’re kind.” He linked his fingers with hers and lifted her hand to press a brief kiss upon it. “I missed my mother. But it probably saved both my father and me much grief that we did not live together. I was happy at Baillannan. They were my family more than my father. Andrew and I went off to school, then London. It has only been in the last year or two that I’ve spent much time at home.”

“Is your father there? Has he retired?”

“Yes, he retired. He is . . . not entirely well.” Gregory’s open face grew shuttered. “But my point is that your brother’s being absent for a few days doesn’t mean something terrible befell him. He has probably gone to stay with a friend or another member of your family.”

“But that’s just it. He might not think to write us, but any relative would have sent my mother a note saying he was there. His friends don’t know where he is, either. I must find Daniel and talk to him.”

“Is that why you went to Faraday’s?”

“Yes. It was all I could think to do. I can’t bear for him and Papa to be at odds. If he’s not home for Christmas, Papa will be furious. I dread to think how upset our mother will be.”

“Surely his friends will tell him you’re looking for him.”

“I fear he may not visit them either. It’s been so long now. It’s as if he is avoiding everyone. It’s not like Daniel to be so careless. He knows we would worry. What if he has been hurt?”

“I’ll ask around, see if I can locate him for you.”

“Would you? Truly?” Rylla beamed.

“Yes, of course. But you must promise you won’t go searching for him yourself. Your brother would not want you to. It’s dangerous.”

“I won’t go by myself.” She smiled. “I’ll go with you.”

Gregory’s eyes widened. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth, but he shook his head. “No. I can’t take you with me. I’ll have to visit some rough places, and you can’t go to a gambling hell. There are other places that—” He paused, looking embarrassed. “Well, trust me, it would be impossible for you to go there.”

Rylla studied him. “Do you mean bordellos?” It occurred to her that she did not want Gregory visiting a brothel even if he was looking for her brother.

Gregory’s brows shot up. Something hot and dark flared in his eyes before he dropped his head and began to laugh. “Don’t you know you shouldn’t talk about such things?”

“What fustian!” She rolled her eyes. “As if women weren’t aware of their existence. If it’s not too shocking for a man to visit such a place, how can it be shocking for a lady to have heard about them?”

His laughter increased. Gregory leaned back and regarded her with gleaming eyes. “Amaryllis Campbell . . . you must be a sore trial to your mother.”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I fear I am. No doubt you are appalled, too, and wish me at the devil.”

Gregory gave her that slow, enticing smile. “Nae. I wish you no place else but here. With me.”

“You do not find me scandalous? Shameful?”

He reached out and took her hand, lifting it to his lips to kiss each finger. “I find you utterly beguiling.”

“Then surely you would enjoy taking me with you to clubs and taverns and such.”

“I would.” His eyes sparked with light. “Truth is, I would enjoy taking you anywhere. Or nowhere.” He sighed and laid her hand back on the sofa. “But I cannot. No doubt it would astound my family, but I am going to be mature and responsible. It would be wrong of me to expose you to such places.”

“But you need me.” Gregory’s eyes flew to her face. Rylla felt the blood rushing up her throat. “To find Daniel, I mean.”

“Rylla . . .” Gregory pushed up to his feet and began to pace the room. “I can find him.”

“I know what Daniel looks like. You could be in the same room with him and not have any idea who he was. I can also recognize his friend Kerns.”

“The lout who took your pin? I’d like to get my hands on him.” Gregory looked intrigued but shook his head. “No, it would put you too much at risk.”

“You will be with me.” Rylla rose to face him. “What could happen to me?”

“Pleasant as it is to know you think me invincible, I must point out that I am not.”

“A robber would be less inclined to approach two men. And if I did something out of character, you could give me a nudge.”