Page 71 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

After taking an eternity to compose himself, Taylor cleared his throat. “His mother and my father were lovers. We are brothers.”

Suddenly, everything made sense—from why Taylor had allowed Greyson to stay in his home, to why the marquess collected information on those around him. The man was piling up insurance in case his secret got out. Not to mention, they looked so similar that Evan had once mistaken Taylor for Greyson.

“I knew not until recently. I find the woman to be hideous, but my father spent a lot of time at the estate when he was their solicitor and found himself enchanted with her. He said she was quite a beauty and made him laugh. He was lonely after my mother’s death two years earlier. And—” the man exhaled something akin to a puppy whimper “—he felt the late lord was abusive to his wife. Then, when my father became ill this spring, he told me of his affair with the marchioness. They kept it a secret all these years—from their sons, from my sisters, from the late marquess, and the gossipyton.For some ungodly reason, my father still felt affection for the marchioness and did not want to ruin her reputation. As if the woman isn’t already a notorious talebearer.”

“Good God,” Harrington said.

“He wanted me to know I had a younger brother before he passed away, but he swore me to secrecy. However, he was not privy to all of Greyson’s machinations. Had he known of all of hisson’ssins….” Taylor blanched. “I have sisters, by God. I know Father would not have approved.”

“But that means he is not the rightful Greyson heir,” Harrington said. “He is simply a by-blow, the bastard son of his father’s solicitor.”

“Without his title, he may be culpable for kidnapping the Duke of Astleyshire’s sister,” Taylor said. “Even if he is not found guilty, his title would go to his cousin.” Taylor sighed. “I have broken my word to my father less than twenty-four hours after his death, but I cannot allow my stepbrother’s reign of terror to continue.”

Steepling his fingers, Taylor looked at the ceiling. “Please forgive me, Father. I want to do the noble thing.”

They could finish the conversation on their journey. “We must get to Limestone Manor and stop him before he harms Lady Katrina,” Evan said.

“’Tis not far from here,” Harrington said. “If we take the carriage, we can be there in thirty-five minutes.”

That meant Katrina was already there. Already in danger. Already…

They needed to hurry.

“I must head home,” Taylor said. “My grief and the stress of the last two months have taken their toll. At least now I can find peace knowing I did the right thing.”

Evan grasped Taylor’s elbow and dragged him toward the front door. “Sorry for your loss. It’s a damn shame. Hurts like the dickens when a parent passes.” He smacked the solicitor on the back, sending him flying onto the porch. “Now get your arse in the carriage. We have a woman to save and a devil to destroy.”

Chapter twenty-nine

July 8th, 1818

Kat tapped her forefinger to her chin as she contemplated what Evan would do if he were the one being shepherded away in a madman’s carriage.

“Yes,” she murmured to herself. “He’d most likely outsmart and then injure his enslaver.” Since she was too terrified to think, she formed a fist and held her breath.

The carriage slowed to a stop. The door opened, and a man in livery reached for her. She punched with all her might, making contact with his cheek.

“Bloody hell,” he yelled ashis head flew back.

Before she had time to pummel him again, he wrapped his hand around her wrist. Another stranger forced his way into the coach. Thereupon, handling her roughly, the two men dragged her from the carriage.

“Let go of me,” she yelled as she kicked and flailed her limbs about.

“What a fiery little hell cat,” said a familiar, albeit unwelcome voice.

Chills shot up Katrina’s spine. The men pushed her forward, and she tumbled to her knees.

Hoping it was all a terrible nightmare, Kat closed her eyes, opening them to find a smirking Greyson studying her. His periwinkle tailcoat and the charming country manor in front of them did not allay her horror.

Her foot caught in her skirts, making her climb onto her feet less than graceful. She steadied herself and lifted her chin. “Evan will find me.”

Greyson chuckled manically. “Not when Taylor sends him in the wrong direction.”

Whatever the deuces that meant, it did not sound favorable.

“I insist you take me to Yardley Manor right this instant.” To prove she was serious, she stomped her foot. She’d worry about a less bratty way of expressing herself when her safety wasn’t being jeopardized.

Greyson raised one eyebrow. Stars, the man was arrogant.