Page 154 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
The words still sent an unfamiliar flutter through her. She suspected they would for quite some time.
He bent to kiss her forehead before offering her the folded letter. “Would you care to read Ambrose’s latest report?”
She accepted it. “So it isn’t business from parliament?”
“No.”
She unfolded the page and skimmed the contents. Ambrose’s handwriting remained just as untidy as ever, though the news within immediately caught her attention.
“They’ve arrested two more of Strachan’s associates.”
Hector nodded. “The authorities continue tightening the net.”
She looked up. “Then they’re making progress.”
“They are.”
Relief eased some of the lingering tension she had carried ever since leaving the countryside. She folded the letter again.
“What of Zachary?”
Hector’s expression cooled immediately. “He remains steward.”
Jane sighed. “I had hoped...”
“So had I.”
He rested one hand against the edge of the desk. “Until Colin is officially declared missing under the law, the earldom cannot pass. Zachary is only administering the estate until then.”
“Only.” She hated the word. “He enjoys every moment of it.”
“I know.”
She lowered her eyes. “I still dislike thinking of him as any part of my father and Colin’s legacy.”
“So do I.”
His voice softened. “But he cannot threaten you anymore. Nor your mother.”
His fingers closed gently around hers. “There is something else.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve continued spreading the story about Evan.”
“The one about Europe?”
He nodded. “Society believes he has gone abroad to care for an elderly relative.”
She smiled faintly. “And they believe it?”
“They do.”
She laughed quietly. “I suppose people rarely question something so terribly ordinary.”
“They much prefer scandal.”
“They certainly do.” She shook her head. “You’ve thought of everything.”
