Donnelly House, London, 1810.

 

“I must uncover who murdered my father and brother.” James Hargrove, the Earl of Donnelly, leaned back in his . Grief clung to him, so dark and dismal and never ending since the death of his beloved family members. “They would expect no less of me.”

“Yes, but uncovering who murdered them has presented a challenge thus far.” The Duke of Ashten stood at James’s study window, his hands clasped behind his back and shoulders stiff as he cast his gaze over the rear gardens, the late afternoon light of the day shimmering through the trees and dappling the grass. With one brow quirked, his friend cast him a glance over his shoulder. “Think on it, Donnelly. The Bow Street runner has concluded his investigations and reported that their deaths were accidental. It will be a challenge to convince anyone else of it otherwise.”

“There is nothing accidental about their drowning, not when they were both exceptional swimmers.” He thumped one fist on his desktop. “They perished three nights apart, their bodies pulled from the same stretch of the River Thames alongside my father’s warehouses.”

“Yes, I agree that’s far too coincidental, and I believe as you do, that there is a killer on the loose. Unfortunately, it’s been so long. Two months have passed since they perished, and no new information has come to light.”

“Foul play was most certainly involved.” He wouldn’t relent on that, the knowledge burning deep in his gut.

“George was grief stricken following your father’s death.” Ashten crossed his arms, his brow wrinkling. “When I visited him here at Donnelly House, he’d consumed an entire decanter of brandy and was barely in full command of his senses.”

“My brother would never have left Maria behind. Our sister needed him.”

“I instructed your butler to put him to bed, then ensured your sister slept.” Ashten gestured to the pile of papers on his desk. “Have you sifted through all of your father’s papers yet? Our greatest chance of finding any reference to foul play will either be here, or at his warehouse office.”

Donnelly had only been home a week, his journey back across the English Channel a difficult one since he’d been on the move with his fellow hussars at the time of receiving word of his father and brother’s deaths. It had taken time to extricate himself from their front-line location and make his way back to England’s shores.

“I’ve investigated each and every one of my father’s business dealings and there isn’t anything either he or my brother didn’t handle with absolute professionalism, even with regard to the sunken treasure you and I have already spoken about. Although it is that treasure which still irks me the most, particularly since it went missing from the War Office where my father and brother had it sent to.”

Over the past few years, his father had invested heavily in his maritime trade ventures, his brother standing firmly at his father’s side, those ventures exceedingly lucrative. For certain the dealings they’d undertaken had increased their Donnelly wealth to the point where their coffers overflowed with coin.

“I will fully search his warehouse office in the morning. Would you be free to offer your aid? An extra set of eyes is always helpful,” he asked Ashten.

“Certainly. Collect me from Blackgale House in the morning.” Firm agreement.

“Thank you.”

“Have you had luck contacting the man I gave you the name of?” Ashten crossed to him and pressed his palms against the polished oak desk, the sleeves of his superfine navy jacket rising and exposing the gold cufflinks adorning his pristine white shirt.

“Yes, I’ve managed to track Captain Anteros Bourbon down. The spymaster is elusive and prefers keeping to the shadows, but I located him at a gaming hell, his own establishment as I came to learn—The Cobra. Or I should say he located me while I was searching for him.” Captain Bourbon certainly held a complex network of connections that reached into the dark depths of the underworld, a network he hoped would aid him in uncovering the truth about what had happened to his father and brother. No matter that the Bow Street runner had concluded their deaths were accidental, they’d been killed, and he was certain of it.

“Bourbon will uncover anything that reeks of foul play.” A reassuring nod from Ashten. “I give you my word he will.”

“After I gave him all the information I held, he told me he’d be in touch. He certainly seemed interested in my case when I spoke of the sunken treasure and its disappearance.”

“Yes, Bourbon enjoys a challenge, and your case will surely provide it. That sunken treasure is the key, I believe.” Ashten

“No harm will come to your wife and her sister outside.” Donnelly stood and joined his friend and comrade. Along the stone pathway lined with white and pink flowering bushes, Ashten’s new bride and her sister strolled, their golden-haired heads bent close together. When his butler had announced the duke’s arrival, along with the two ladies who’d traveled with him, he’d asked Woodman to show Ashten to his study, and to ensure the ladies made themselves at home. They’d chosen to enjoy a stroll outside while he conversed with Ashten, which suited him well, particularly since he didn’t wish to speak to Ashten’s new sister-in-law, Lady Sophia Trentbury. Only trouble lay down that pathway if he did.

“Sophia’s been quite worried about you.” Ashten quirked a brow. “I realize things didn’t end well between the two of you when you chose—on the day you rode out with the hussars no less—to end your courtship fully and finally. You’re an idiot for letting her go, Donnelly, a true imbecile.” An exasperated shake of the duke’s head. “A dolt through and through. Of the greatest sort. In case you haven’t quite got my meaning yet. Shall I go on?”

“I understand perfectly.” It had nearly ripped his heart in two to set Sophia free, but better that than to ask her to wait until he returned home from the war, if he ever did. So many good men had perished in their battle against Napoleon, and so many more still would to come. This war of atrocity loomed endlessly over all of Europe.

“You told Sophia to enjoy what remained of the Season, that you wished her well. She was both furious and heartbroken, although even worse, you’ve turned her away each time she attempted to visit you and your sister this past week. She had been calling by and keeping Maria company until you returned, and doing a fine job at it too. You’re a cad and a coward.”

“Good grief, old chap. Lay it out.” He slapped Ashten on the back. “Don’t hold back.”

“I wasn’t.” A smile tugged at Ashten’s lips. “You’re rather hard to stay angry with at times.”

“My father used to tell me the same, and I had to be abrupt with Sophia, otherwise she would have waited for my return, for years if need be.” No matter his return, he still couldn’t pick up with his sweet Sophia where he’d left off. A murderer remained on the loose, a killer possibly intent on coming for him next, and whether that was an absolute possibility or not, he’d rather take his own life than allow Sophia’s to be stolen from her because he had selfishly wanted to keep her for himself. “Until I know who killed them, and why, I can’t commit myself to another woman.”

“I understand, but Sophia is so very much like my Ellie.” Ashten sat on the edge of the sill, his arms crossed and sunlight streaming over his jacketed shoulders. “Both sisters hold those they consider family close to their hearts, and Sophia has always considered you and Maria family, no matter your broken courtship. When she asked if she could ride with me to see you today, I, of course, agreed.”

“My butler did inform me of Sophia’s visits with Maria while I was across the channel, but they can’t continue now I’m home. She’d be entering the home of a single gentleman, which even Winterly should be standing up and disallowing.” Sophia’s brother, the Earl of Winterly, was a man he considered a friend and confidant, a man who needed to consider his sister’s safety above all else. Safety which didn’t exist around him, not with all surety.

“Maria is her friend, and Sophia brought her maid with her while you were away, a guard too. She was well chaperoned. Where is Maria, by the way?” A huff as Ashten asked that. “You haven’t locked her away in her bedchamber, have you?”

“Of course not. Maria’s resting. She didn’t sleep well last night.” He glanced out the window and followed Sophia’s footsteps as she wandered the pathways of his rear gardens. Like an elixir to his senses, he wanted to drown in the returned sight of her. Her rose-colored day gown accentuated her slim waist and flared over her hips, the dainty capped sleeves framing her creamy shoulders, while her golden curls swept down her back underneath her matching silk bonnet. When she bent to smell the fragrant blooms of the yellow roses, that bush in particular having been his mother’s favorite, the scalloped neckline of her gown dipped forward, and he received a rather alluring view of her lush breasts.

Such incredible torture.

wound one loose golden curl around her finger, and he groaned.

A sudden lift of her head, and she snagged his gaze.

He jerked back.

No eye contact.

Too dangerous.

Clearing his throat, he returned to his desk and plunked into his chair. “One very fortunate man will make Sophia an offer of marriage, and she’ll become the wife of another, which I have resigned myself to. Things simply can’t return to the way they were considering my treatment of her. She must detest the sight of me.”

“You are underestimating her.” Ashten tuttered under his breath, then opened the window a notch wider and smiled down at the ladies. “Are you two enjoying your walk?”

“Yes, very much.” Sophia’s heavenly voice floated through the window opening, both a balm to his senses and a searing danger as well. “Donnelly, I know you’re there and currently ignoring me. May I speak with you, please?”

“Lord Donnelly?” Ashten eyed him expectantly. “I believe Lady Sophia is trying to gain your attention.”

“I’m busy.” Rocking back in his chair, he made sure to say that nice and loud, so Sophia wouldn’t miss his answer through the window.

“Unfortunately,” Ashten said with a ragged sigh to Sophia, “the earl is unable to converse with even a modicum of politeness at present. You’ll have to excuse his terribly obnoxious behavior and count yourself lucky you’re not in here with me.”

“I’m coming upstairs this instant. Obnoxious behavior included.” An exasperated huff. “Inform the earl.”

“We’ll see you momentarily.” With a distinct smirk, Ashten closed the window and leaned one shoulder against the window frame. “I admire her determination.”

“You would.” He wanted to toss Ashten out his window.

Footsteps thumped up the stairs and his study door swung open.

Sophia stood in the doorway, her piercing blue gaze locked on him and fire blazing within their passionate depths. “Unable to converse, my foot.”

“I am extremely busy.” He motioned to the pile of papers.

“I will not accept that answer, and why have you forbidden my entrance into your house this past week? Maria needs her friends, and I am one of them, you aggravating oaf.” She huffed again as she marched inside, her reticule swinging from her fingers as if she wished to swing it at him.

“Do excuse me while I check on my wife.” Ashten strolled past him, his step far too lively. “When you’re both ready to join us, Ellie and I will be enjoying afternoon tea in the drawing room. Like civilized people do.” His friend deserted him, disappearing right out the door.

“You shouldn’t be here, Sophia.” He glared at her, hoping to get his point across, that he didn’t appreciate her visit, not in the least. “I have vengeance to seek for my father and brother’s death, vengeance I won’t allow you to be a part of.”

“I’ve gathered that by your dismissive attitude, but you must consider Maria’s needs as well. She grieves deeply for your lost family members, just as you do, and I must continue to be at her side as needed. What kind of friend would I be otherwise?” She came around his desk and jabbed a finger in his chest. “I wish to be your friend as well, if you’ll allow it.”

“Gentlemen don’t keep female friends. I wished you an enjoyable Season, that you not feel beholden to me, in any way at all. I’ve been gone for two months. Do you not wish for marriage and children one day?”

“Yes, not that that’s any of your business, not when you tossed me aside so ruthlessly.” She jabbed him again. “I wish I could hate you, James, but unfortunately I can’t turn my emotions off as easily as you can.”

“I’d appreciate it if you did hate me.”

With a fierce growl, she stomped on his foot.

“That’s a good start.” He tried not to flinch.

“You deserved that.”

“Of course, I did.” He stepped back in case she thought to stomp on his foot again, a smile tugging annoyingly at his lips. Dash it all, but her fighting spirit was a sight to behold and he enjoyed seeing it rise.

“Now we’ve got that detestable moment out of the way, I must enlighten you about another matter. Your father and I came to an agreement while you were away.”

“Pardon?” His brows perked up. His father had certainly been saddened by his decision to end his courtship with Sophia, although he’d also understood why he’d needed to do so. “What kind of agreement?”

“Might I take a seat while I inform you?” She gestured to the blue settee framed by the darker blue silk wallpaper of his study.

“If you must.”

“James Hargrove!” Her eyes went wide, her mouth gaping. “I’ve never known you to be so rude.”

Neither had he, but his rudeness stemmed from his current frustration, particularly at having her so close and being unable to touch her. His fingers itched with the need to hold her hands in his and press a kiss to her gloved knuckles.

“You need a stern talking to.” She crossed to the settee and sat with a flourish, her lacy wrap looped behind her back and the trailing ends pooling on the padded seat either side of her.

“My apologies. Begin,” he said with a flick of his fingers in the hope she’d take that gesture as please, make this conversation quick.

“Still rude.” She lifted her sweet little chin and eyed him defiantly down her nose. “Firstly, your father was worried about your sister. He asked if I might Maria, what with it being her first Season and your mother gone these past three years. I, of course, promptly agreed to his request. I adore Maria and in truth consider her more like a sister than a friend, just as my own sisters, Ellie and Olivia are.”

“I see.” Well, he couldn’t fault Father’s choice of minder for his sister, but Sophia’s aid with Maria’s first Season was now no longer necessary. It would be another year before she could enter a ballroom, her need to grieve properly, imperative. “I had actually intended on sending Maria to our country estate for a few months while I ran my investigations, but when I broached the idea to her, she told me quite adamantly that she won’t leave my side. She wishes to remain here in town.”

“Which is most understandable. We all need our loved ones close at a time like this. May I speak with Maria today? I haven’t seen her as yet, or is she keeping to herself for a reason?” His feisty lady smiled like an angel, her golden curls bobbing in loose waves, curls he wanted to wind around his fingers so he could tug her to him.

“She is, in fact, resting.” Hopefully his answer was unarguable. He certainly kept his tone as bland as possible.

“Oh, well, I had hoped to see her. I miss her dreadfully.”

“Clearly, you can’t. Woodman!” he bellowed as he stuck one finger under his black cravat and loosened it a touch. His butler was never far away, and he needed his man right now.

A clatter of footsteps pounded up the stairs and Woodman “My lord, you called?”

“Yes, please escort Lady Sophia downstairs so she might enjoy refreshments with the duke and duchess.”

“Indeed, I shall.” A clip of his polished heels as he awaited Sophia to rise. “My lady, please follow me.”

“No, I’m not yet done meeting with his lordship.” Sophia brushed Woodman off with a stunning smile. “Let Their Graces know I shall be downstairs soon.”

“I, ah—” Woodman lobbed him a look. His butler had never defied one of his orders to date, and now with Sophia contradicting his request so beautifully, it had his man at a quandary.

He released a long and loud sigh. “Return when I next call,” he instructed his man and Woodman let out a relieved breath and vanished out the door.

“Sophia, is that you? Did I hear your voice?” her long brown locks falling in gentle waves down her back, directly underneath her veil, her mourning gown strictly black. “You are here. How wonderful you’ve come for a visit.”

“Your obstinate brother has finally allowed my entrance.” Sophia rushed across and engulfed his sister in her arms. She kissed both Maria’s cheeks and squeezed her tightly to her. “Oh, how I’ve missed you this past week. How have you been, my dear one?”

“I’ve missed you terribly too.” Maria hugged Sophia back, tears welling in her eyes. “My brother has become a guard dog since his return. I feared I might never see you again.”

“His bark is worse than his bite, thankfully.” Sophia shot him a challenging look, the little minx. “Your brother and I have now come to an understanding, of which he shall allow me to visit, as often as you’d please. Isn’t that correct, Lord Donnelly?”

“No.”

“Oh dear, we must rid you of that nasty bite.” A tut-tut from Sophia.

“Now who is being rude?” He wasn’t going to win this argument, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t go down without a jolly good fight.

“You don’t wish for your sister to hold onto the treasured friendship she and I have?” His lady linked arms with his sister, both of them giving him a rather disdainful look.

By Jove, he’d gone down already.

With a nod, he grumbled, “Lady Sophia, if you wish to visit my sister, please come as often as you’d like. Just ensure you have a suitable escort when you do.”

“Thank you, and I certainly shall.” Smiling wide, she returned her gaze to his sister. “We shall enjoy the sunshine and delightful conversation whenever you wish. I almost brought Beast with me today.”

“Winterly’s new hunting dog?”

“Yes, he’s growing by leaps and bounds and is so incredibly playful. He adores it when I toss a stick. He fetches it and drops it directly at my feet.”

“Oh, I would dearly love to meet him. He is such a clever pup.” Maria glanced at him, hope wide in her eyes. It had been far too long since his sister had been outside the house and a trip to Sophia’s home would do her a world of good. It would also mean not having Sophia here for one of her visits.

“Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea,” he conceded with a nod. “You may travel as you wish, provided you take an adequate guard. Sawyer or Fuller must be with you at all times.”

“I promise.” A beaming smile from his sister, one he hadn’t seen in far too long.

“Perfect.” Sophia fixed one corner of his sister’s veil then said to her, “Ellie and Ashten are downstairs in the drawing room. They’ll both wish to see you, to ensure you’re well.”

“As I wish to see them.” Maria popped a kiss on Sophia’s cheek. “I do apologize for interrupting your meeting with my brother. Please continue, and I shall see you downstairs once you’re done.” His sister wiggled her fingers at him then dashed away. Not good. He’d been left alone with his minx again.

“All is forgiven, James.” Sadness suddenly dulled Sophia’s eyes, then she blinked and gave her head a little shake before swishing back to the settee. Seated once more, she brushed her skirts straight and murmured, “I’ve always enjoyed speaking with your father, and with you having ridden out for the front line, I garnered a great deal of comfort in being near him.”

“I understand.”

“Do you truly?” An exquisite arch of her brow.

“Yes, more than I could ever express with words.” He crossed to his gold and blue striped wingchair, one of his father’s favorite pieces, then eased down and settled both hands on the armrests. “Is there something you wished to tell me in regard to your time with my father?”

“There most certainly is.” A deep breath. “The day before your father’s passing, he and I sat together in the library downstairs. We chatted about a number of things, but he also spoke of the Fortune Maria, his vessel having sailed into port earlier than expected, that Captain Lewiston had brought in additional cargo from a sunken vessel, including a chest containing a great deal of treasure. I can’t seem to shake that conversation from my mind and it unsettles me. I wished to speak to you about it.”

“I’m aware of the chest and suspect it has something to do with their deaths, except I’m not sure in what way.”

“Your father said the chest was found on a Spanish galleon that capsized along a reef bordering the Spanish empire in the Americas. His excitement over the find was palpable, although I didn’t get the chance to ask him exactly what was included within the chest.”

“I can enlighten you, if you wish.” No harm could come to her if she knew what had been contained within it.

“Please do.” She leaned forward, her gaze absolute on his. “What kind of treasure was uncovered?”

“Father kept a tally of each piece in his private journal. Let me fetch it.” Plucking a key from his inner black silk waistcoat pocket, he rose and collected his father’s journal from his locked desk drawer. He returned to Sophia, sat next to her and opened the journal to the last two pages of entry. With the journal spread half across his lap and half across hers, he allowed her to read for herself his father’s handwritten script which flowed smoothly from line to line. He read silently along with her.

 

Twenty-five jade pieces of various carved artifacts. (Listed individually on the following page.)

Forty-six gold coins.

Forty feet of gold chain.

Sixty feet of silver chain.

 

“Oh goodness, that’s a veritable fortune,” she whispered

With her sweet white rose scent swirling around him, his trousers tightened. His cock had always hardened when he was this close to her, his deep desire for her a craving of his very soul. Hell, he should insert some space between them.

Clearing his throat, he shuffled across an inch and—

“Are you all right, James?” She laid a hand on his jacketed arm, stilling his move.

“Donnelly,” he stated firmly.

Hurt flickered in her eyes. “Are you all right, Donnelly?”

“I will never be the same again. When one loses a family member, they lose a part of their very heart.”

“Yes, that’s true.” She tucked her hand back in her lap. “Might I ask what happened to the treasure? You said you suspect it has something to do with their deaths.”

“ ’s hands so the treasure might be returned to the Spanish authorities who should have received the chest in the first place had their vessel not sunk.”

“That was very honorable of him. Many men would have kept what they’d found for themselves.”

“Yes, although the chest went missing from the War Office’s locked storage room. It vanished, and the colonel hasn’t been able to locate the thief or any of the stolen items.” He turned the page and tapped the detailed list of twenty-five jade pieces his father had recorded of each carved artifact.

 

One jade necklace of small birds.

One ceremonial jade mask.

One carved ceremonial jade knife.

One skull-and-bones jade pin.

…

 

The list went on, and he waited as Sophia read each line. Her full lips glistened a pale pink, her long lashes sweeping down to her cheeks and back up again. “Your father has recorded that all the jade artifacts are noted as being carved by a master carver, his initials etched into each piece.”

“Yes.” Unable to help himself, he caught one of her golden curls, twirled it around his finger then released it. The curl bounced free before settling between her breasts, a few strands curling around the stunning heart-shaped mole.

“Donnelly?”

“Yes?” He dragged his gaze back to hers.

Her gaze softened, her next words a mere whisper, “I’m immensely glad you’re home again, even though you no longer desire a courtship with me.”

“If Winterly knew I currently entertained you alone in my study, he’d—”

“My brother isn’t here, so you needn’t worry about him.” She wet her lips. “Winterly’s also eager to marry me off now Ellie has wed Ashten. Don’t push me away anymore, not as you’ve been doing since your return. This past week has been awful. Every time I knocked on your front door, Woodman sent me away with an apology.”

“I can’t allow any further association between us, not while there is a killer on the loose.” He’d never draw her into the dark depths currently surrounding him. He shuffled about again, her nearness affecting him strongly.

“Am I making you feel uneasy?” A playful question, the little tease. “James?”

“Donnelly.”

“My apologies.” A long sigh. “Perhaps it’s time I left?”

“I’d rather we join the others.”

“Then we’ll do so.” Reticule in hand, she rose to her feet and with a swish of her skirts, sashayed to his door.

He closed the journal and holding it over himself, stalked to his desk. He returned the log to his locked drawer, took a few deep breaths then once assured he was in full command of his senses again, followed her into the passageway.

He halted next to her where she waited along the upper landing overlooking the main foyer below, her beautiful blue eyes as vivid in color as a summer sky and as deep as the ocean itself. “I might not be wearing my regimentals with a saber and pistol in hand, but that makes me no less suitable as your—your—never mind.”

“I understand you have a murderer to uncover and justice to seek, as well as a large earldom to take the reins of, but you could use a friend at your side.”

“Which is why Ashten is here.”

“I wasn’t referring to Ashten as that friend.”

“You and I will never be friends.” He stated that firmly. “You’re meant for another.”

She studied him, her head slanted to one side and the elegant length of her neck exposed. Everything about her intrigued him, as it always had and always would. When deep in thought, she would nibble on her lower lip and plump it up in the most distracting of ways, her sweetly innocent action always bringing a smile to his lips. She did so now, her teeth nipping into the soft flesh.

“Winterly needs to take you in hand.” He crossed his arms.

“I fear nothing.”

“You’re allowing your fear to rule you. Be honest and admit it.”

“There’s simply too much danger for us to be together.”

“You say danger, but I would say intrigue.” She covered his crossed arms with both her gloved hands. “One can’t live their life so questioningly. My dear brother, Harry, would say the same.”

“Harry thrives on danger.” Her brother served with the 18th Royal Hussars and had for several years.

“Yes, Harry loves an adventure, which I do as well.”

“It has been replaced by caution and concern.”

“Well, should you ever wish to embark on an adventure with me, do let me know.” Grinning, she moved back a step, then turned and swept down the stairwell.

“That’ll never happen,” he bit out, gripping the balustrade.

“Perhaps it will. Perhaps it won’t.” She cast him a flirtatious glance over her shoulder and hell, he desperately wished to chase after her, to catch her against him and kiss her senseless, only that would get them both absolutely nowhere, other than in a great deal of trouble.

Trouble neither of them needed.

Trouble he wanted regardless.

Gah, heaven help him.