The Honorable Stephen Lyons wished he were dead. Whenever he moved, his skull felt in danger of splintering into a thousand shards. The room carried the musky scent of glorious sex. Like a blind man, he gingerly searched the sheets for the bare bottom of the lovely lady with whom he’d shared the night, but she’d apparently already taken her leave. Just as well. He had to report to the War Office this morning. He wondered at the time.

Squinting, he rolled over to grab his watch only to see a man sitting in the shadows. He jerked upright at the unexpected visitor, then grabbed his head as pain reverberated through it. “Damnation. What the devil are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you, puppy,” Ainsley said. “You’re supposed to be in India.”

“Devil take you! I’ve told you not to call me that.”

“But it suits.” He glanced around the shabby room. “Your accommodations are not to be desired.”

“They’re temporary.” Just someplace to stay when he had a bit of leave. Tossing back the sheets, not bothering to hide his nakedness, he clambered out of bed and lumbered to the washbasin. He displayed the cocky mien for which he was so well-known, the one that irritated the devil out of his brothers—brothers who possessed the one thing he never would: a title. He resented their power and influence. Splashing the cold water on his face, he shivered and reached for a towel. Drying off as he went, he wandered back over to the bed, sat down, and flicked the sheets over his hips. “How did you find me?”

“I have my ways.”

“I’ve always suspected there is more to you than shows on the surface. So why did you feel a need to find me? I’ve not been frequenting your circles. As a matter of fact, I’ve been working very hard not to draw attention to myself. So why the bother?”

“Westcliffe’s been shot.”

“Good God. I’m now the earl?” He’d wanted the title for as long as he could remember, but he’d never expected to have it. He’d not wanted to pay this price for it. Christ! He shook his head. “Why would someone kill him? Was it a hunting accident?”

“I didn’t say he was dead.”

He snapped his gaze over to his brother, only to find him scrutinizing him with those sharp green eyes of his. He knew women who bought emeralds simply because they matched the shade of Ainsley’s eyes. Women had fawned over his brother from the cradle.

“You were truly taken by surprise,” Ainsley said quietly.

“Naturally, I was. It’s not every day that someone is sh—bloody hell! You’re here because you think I did it.”

“The thought occurred.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Just as you stated. To gain the title.”

“He’s my brother.”

“You cuckolded him.”

He sighed deeply. “It wasn’t like that.”

“You let everyone believe it was. Suppose you explain.”

He wished his head would stop aching, wished his brother would leave, wished the woman hadn’t.

Ainsley leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and grasping his hands. In spite of the fact that he was the youngest of the brothers, he’d always given the impression that he was the family patriarch. He had the more prestigious title and family heritage, and he had wealth. He’d given Stephen a generous allowance until the fiasco with Claire. “Why did you do it, Stephen? You can’t have believed your family would forgive you for so flagrant a betrayal—”

“Mother did.”

“She’s the reason you’re still in England.” It was part question, part statement.

“It’s astounding the influence she has. I truly had no idea.”

“Why?” Ainsley persisted.

Stephen rubbed his brow and sighed. “Claire didn’t want to be married. Not really. She was terrified of Westcliffe. So was I, truth be told. He’d always been so deadly serious. I thought if he found me in her bed, he would do exactly what he did. He’d exile her to the country estate. He desperately needed her dowry, so I knew he wouldn’t seek an annulment. When Claire was ready to be a wife, she could explain things to him.”

“And you truly believed he’d forgive her?”

“I was twenty-one and drunk. I believe in my invincibility and wisdom when I am drunk.”

“I can scarcely believe Claire went along with this.”

“She’d just turned seventeen. She’d never been in the London ballrooms. She had no sophistication. And … I didn’t tell her everything.”

Ainsley glared at him.

He released a deep breath. “I didn’t explain that I was actually going to get into bed with her, not until I did. But I knew it would convince Westcliffe my intentions were dishonorable.”

“He beat you to a bloody pulp.”

“I know. I was there. Got a scar on my chin and one near my eye.”

“You are a bloody fool.”

“I love her, Ainsley. Not with passion or desire, but with a purity that doesn’t characterize my experiences with other women. It’s a brotherly devotion toward a sister I suppose. She has always been my friend, and I hers.”

“Why didn’t you simply tell Westcliffe how she felt?”

“He’d not listen to me. There has always been a strain between us.”

“You could have told me.”

“You’re my baby brother.”

“Idiot,” Ainsley muttered.

Stephen shrugged. “In retrospect, I can’t argue that.”

Ainsley studied him for a long moment. “She’s in London, you know.”

“Claire?”

Ainsley nodded.

“Are things well between her and Westcliffe then?”

“Not quite, but they’re not so awful either. He could scarcely take his eyes off her at the ball the other night.”

He couldn’t stop the smile from forming. “Well, then, perhaps all will turn out well.”

“You’re to stay clear of her, puppy.”

“Absolutely. I want her to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” He furrowed his brow. “So, who do you think shot him? Or perhaps more importantly, why?”

“Haven’t a bloody clue.”

The laughter echoing beyond the windows interrupted Westcliffe’s concentration. Normally he would have been irritated with the distraction, but instead he was intrigued. It seemed to bring a lightness with it that made his office less gloomy. It flittered away, leaving behind a silence that wasn’t quite as oppressive as before.

Only when he heard the trilling again did he realize that he’d paused in his work and leaned back in his chair, waiting in anticipation for the merry sound to enter his domain once more. He’d never brought ladies, not even Anne, to his residence. It had merely served as a place to study his accounts, consider his investments, discuss business with those who saw after his affairs. A place to sleep, to drink, to reflect.

It felt very different with Claire in residence. And even though hers wasn’t the only laughter filtering in, he was fairly certain that he had accurately identified which belonged to her. It struck a chord deep within him that he didn’t particularly want plucked.

Rising from his chair, he strolled to the window and looked out on the gardens. Lord Greenwood had arrived earlier. After a rather boring ten minutes of sitting in the parlor, doing little more than listening to the ticking of the clock on the mantel and addressing the occasional question about literature preferences, Claire had suggested they retire to the garden in order to appreciate the lovely sunshine. He’d not been surprised she’d prefer the light of the sun.

Westcliffe had excused himself to see to matters that required his attention. Business. Business always came first. It was his father’s edict. Even at five, Westcliffe had taken his father’s words to heart, determined to live up to his expectations. Only now did he realize that even then he’d longed for his father’s approval, had searched for some evidence that he was as worthy as the babe who then received all of their mother’s devotion.

And continued to do so. From Ainsley he’d learned that their mother had arranged for Stephen not to leave England’s shores, although jolly good for him, he had an alibi for the night that Westcliffe was shot. In the two days since, he and Ainsley had both made several inquiries, but nothing had come of them. As far as Westcliffe knew, he had not a single enemy. If a cousin were after the title, he’d have to kill Westcliffe and Stephen. That seemed improbable.

They’d spoken with an inspector at Scotland Yard—Sir James Swindler. Based on the information they had to share, he could only advise them to keep a watchful eye. Nothing indicated that there was anyone who would wish Westcliffe dead. It could have been an accident. Some young buck showing off with a pistol. Without further evidence, the inspector was stymied, and as he had a reputation for being the best, if he could not help, Westcliffe certainly had no plans to behave as though his life were in danger.

Although he was having a difficult time believing he’d walked out on Claire when she’d been so willing to come to his bed, but making love to her would have been very unfair to her when he still wanted out of the marriage. A strange stance for him when he was not opposed to enjoying the delights of any willing woman. But Claire deserved more than to be treated with so little regard. While she might have indicated she’d changed her mind, he hadn’t. She wanted to avoid scandal. He wanted a wife he could trust. With her, he would always doubt.

Claire was holding her mallet, shaking her head. From this distance, he could still see her indulgent smile. Apparently Beth was having difficulty holding her own mallet properly, as Lord Greenwood was standing behind her, manipulating her hands. Croquet was an opportunity for innocent flirtation, and it seemed Greenwood was a man who took advantage of opportunities.

As Beth clumsily tapped the ball, sending it away from where it should go, Claire’s laughter rang out, and Westcliffe shifted his attention back to her. He wondered exactly where that ticklish spot was.

She was modestly dressed, her skirt swaying as she walked over to take her turn at bumping the ball. He imagined cornering her behind a trellis, skimming his hand along her calf, wiggling his fingers over the backs of her knees. Yes, that was where she’d be ticklish. Or was the sensitive spot higher up, on the inside of her thigh.

How did she even know she had a ticklish spot? Who’d first made her aware of it? Stephen perhaps? Fury roiled through him with the thought, shoving aside the pleasantness that had begun to work its way through him.

He didn’t even realize he had stridden to the door and opened it until he was standing on the terrace. Claire had moved aside, giving the couple a moment to discuss strategy—although Westcliffe doubted whatever they were discussing had anything to do with the game. Based on Beth’s smile and blush, Greenwood was no doubt whispering sweet words to charm her.

Claire glanced over her shoulder at Westcliffe, issuing an invitation with her eyes. He would have simply given her a nod and returned to his office if the invitation hadn’t suddenly turned into a challenge. He needed a bit of fresh air anyway, so he strolled over as though nothing about his actions were of any consequence.

But as he neared, he wondered if touching the underside of her breast—her left one, the one nearest her heart—would cause her to giggle. But he didn’t want her giggling—he wanted her laughing. Full, rich, and vibrant.

“What do you know of Lord Greenwood?” she asked, when he was near enough that she could speak quietly in order not to be overheard.

“He sits a horse well.”

She laughed, the sound that had delighted him only minutes ago now irritating him because it came at his expense—and he wasn’t even certain what he’d done.

“I’ve been on a fox hunt with him,” he said brusquely. “It’s important to sit a horse well.”

Her laughter subsided, but her smile only grew until her blue eyes were twinkling. If it were night, they’d be competing with the stars.

“It doesn’t tell me how he might treat my sister.”

“It does,” he argued, “more than you realize. A man who sits himself well in the saddle will no doubt …” He let his voice trail off before he completed the inappropriate thought: ride a lady as well.

“You sit a horse well,” she said, the brightness in her eyes darkening with passion as though she’d known exactly where he’d intended to take his earlier musings. “I’ve watched you when you visited the estate. You have such confidence, such command of the horse. I assume you exhibit the same sort of command in all situations.”

“Your elbow,” he blurted, to change the direction of the conversation, but hardly serving to alter the road on which his attentions were traveling.

Another small burst of laughter as her eyes widened. “Pardon?”

“The inside of your elbow. Is that your ticklish spot?”

He wasn’t quite certain that he’d ever seen her exhibit such triumph. “I will never tell you, my lord. If you wish to know, you shall simply have to go exploring.”

She started to walk off. Grabbing her arm, he swung her back toward him. “Don’t tease me, Claire, unless you’re willing to accept the consequences.”

She took a step toward him, rising on her toes until she was almost in his face. Her breathing was harsh, her nostrils flaring. If there had been a trellis nearby, he’d have had her behind it in a heartbeat. “How do I convince you that I am?”