Page 28 of Juliet's Touch

“I suppose you are angry with me,” the marquess said. “You probably want to know why I waited until now to reach out to you.”

This wasn’t any great mystery. Chesterhill was your typical selfish aristocrat who went through life doing whatever he wanted without facing the consequences. Eric shrugged.

“I was young and foolish,” the marquess said.

No shite.

“My conscience seems to have awoken these last few years. Although, in my defense, long ago, I offered to set your mother up and ensure you had a comfortable life. However, she declined.”

It was as if toxic venom shot up Eric’s esophagus. “She did not decline your offer. She couldn’t read, and knowing how loyal my mother was, she didn’t ask anyone to decipher the note because she was trying to keep your relationship secret. To protectyou. And then she was murdered.”

Unshed tears misted the marquess’s eyes. “Fletcher told me. Utterly heartbreaking. Poor Cleopatra.”

The man could dispense with the theatrics. His callous actions proved he’d never cared for his mother. “Her name was Celine,” Eric hissed.

The marquess exhaled, then nodded in what appeared to be humble acquiescence. “According to Fletcher, her killer was never brought to justice.”

“I will find him, and I will ensure he pays for what he did.” A moment after his declaration, Eric balked. There was no point in admitting his intentions to a man who clearly didn’t care.

“Fletcher is at your disposal,” the marquess said. “He is the best investigator in England. There isn’t a puzzle he can’t solve or a person or item he can’t find.”

Dumbfounded, Eric blinked. Was he truly to have assistance in his search?

The marquess opened the ledger sitting on his desk and wrote a notation. “Fletcher, make this your number one priority. I’ve added your fee to this month’s payment.”

“Yes, sir.” Fletcher stood. “I promised Charlotte I’d be home tonight. As soon as the horses rest, I’ll be on my way.”

“Please tell her I miss her,” the marquess said. “Be sure to stop by the kitchen before you head out. You never know when a winter storm will delay travel, and you don’t want to have an empty stomach.”

“Thank you, sir.” Fletcher downed the rest of his whiskey and placed the glass on the sideboard. He caught Eric’s gaze. “I’ll be in touch the moment I learn anything about your mother.”

“By the by, the man you are looking for is missing fingers,” Eric said. “The night I saw him, he had a dark mustache and sideburns. I assume he is probably gray by now.” If he was even alive.

Fletcher nodded. “That is actually quite helpful.” He strolled out of the room, leaving Eric alone with the marquess.

Awkwardness hung heavily as Eric studied his father, searching for a hint of companionable sentiment.

Eric was still quietly searching when a man about his age entered the study. “I just spoke with Fletcher. I hear you are my newest sibling,” he said.

Eric did a double take. It was as if he were looking into a mirror. Although not quite as muscular, this visitor had Eric’s tall, lean build. They had the same square jaw and heavy brow. Before Eric’s nose had been broken, they even had the same straight nose. If it weren’t for their different coloring, they couldpass as siblings, which made sense, since they apparently were brothers.

Grinning, the man thrust his hand in Eric’s direction. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Alexander.”

They even had the same toothy grin, although this man was much better at smiling than Eric. Feeling the first inklings of kinship since he’d arrived, Eric shook his hand.

“Eric, this is my heir,” the marquess declared, as if he needed to remind Eric of his place. Of course, there was no need for this because Eric knew without question that he was an illegitimate child born to an unloved prostitute. “Alexander, this is your half-brother, Eric Stone, a champion pugilist.”

“A pugilist?” Grinning, the younger Alexander pointed at Eric’s eye. “I hope your opponent got his just dues.”

Thumbs was probably still seeing double. Eric grunted.

“I also hope you will spend the next couple of days with us,” his half-brother said. “In all honesty, when Father first undertook this mission, I was none too happy. Horrified, to be precise. But I find that his quest seems to be doing his health good, and for that, I’m exceedingly grateful.”

Guilt turned a man’s soul black, but his supposed father’s torment was not Eric’s concern, and he would not carry the weight of this horrible excuse for a parent’s health on his shoulders.

“I have held up my part of the bargain,” Eric said. “I’ll be leaving in the morning, hopefully with the blunt I was promised.”

Frowning, the younger Alexander nodded. “I understand your reluctance to stay. I might do the same in your shoes. However, please know that you are welcome. Any time. At least you are staying long enough to enjoy our evening meal. The women are insisting we play charades after dinner. Our father is ratherterrible.” Alexander chuckled. “I think it’s only fair that, for once, I have a decent partner.”