Page 38 of In the Midnight Hour

Harry rarely called on North, and he’d never been here to Pemberton Square. But then, very few people had visited since North had taken up residence—just his parents and his sister, Rachel.

“Show him in.” North was exceedingly curious.

“I’m already here,” Harry said from behind Rook.

The butler grimaced faintly. “I did ask him to wait.” He stepped aside as Harry came around him.

“And why was that, Rook?” Harry scoffed. “Did you think North wouldn’t want to see me? You know better than that.”

“I wanted to make sure he was receiving,” Rook said. “I suspected he might be on his way out. I’m his butler. I’m not a footman any longer.”

“Of course not.” Harry inclined his head. “My apologies.”

Rook squared his shoulders before departing.

“He’s a very good butler,” North said.

“He was an excellent footman,” Harry replied. “Father laments the loss to his household.”

“Rook was ready for the promotion, and Adams isn’t leaving his post any time soon,” North said, referring to their father’s butler at Aylesbury House.

“True.” Harry’s gaze moved to the brandy decanter on a tray atop a cabinet. “Brandy? I’d like a glass, if you don’t mind.”

“Help yourself, and I suppose I’ll have one. I was about to go to Brooks’s.”

“I’m glad I caught you then.” Harry went to pour the brandy, then delivered North’s glass before taking the other chair near the hearth.

North sipped the brandy, then sat opposite his brother. “Did you stop in for a friendly chat? A tour of the house? Because you prefer my brandy?”

Harry smirked as he lifted his glass. “I do like your brandy. The house is very nice, though it looks as though you’re still settling in.” He glanced at the crates stacked in a corner and his gaze moved over the mostly bare walls. “You need art.” He took a drink.

“Your walls were as vacant as mine until you married Selina.”

“You’ve a point.” Harry smiled in that thoroughly smitten way that any mention of his wife provoked.

Watching his twin fall helplessly in love had given North something to think about, that perhaps he ought to consider finding someone who might make him feel the same way. Except he’d yet to meet anyone who stirred a deep emotion and had begun to wonder if he ever would.

Harry sipped his brandy once more, then held it gently on the arm of his chair. “I wanted to speak with you about the investigation into Sir Radnor’s death and the items that went missing from his house. Drummond didn’t find them at the Clavertons, which he searched yesterday after obtaining a search warrant following the inquest. He also didn’t find anything at Lady Cartwright’s earlier today, but you already know that.”

North caught the weight of his brother’s tone—he wasn’t asking a question. “Yes. I was there, which it sounds like you already know.”

“I heard you were at her house whilst the search was being conducted.” Harry’s brows gathered. “I’m not here as the coroner, but as your brother. I’m concerned about your participation in this matter. You seem to have moved past being merely helpful in a situation that required assistance into something more…involved.”

“I’ve agreed to help Lady Cartwright.” North did not reveal that he’d offered to do so. “What’s wrong with that?”

“You were at the home of a suspect in a murder whilst Bow Street was searching her house under warrant. This is a problem for the integrity of the investigation, as well as for your reputation.” His eyes glittered with intensity. “And mine.”

“Your reputation will be fine, as will mine.”

“I’m new to this position as coroner, and I don’t want there to be any hint of impropriety in this investigation,” Harry said with a touch of vexation. “If my brother continues to keep company with a suspect, there is a conflict.”

“But you aren’t the investigator,” North argued. “You’re the coroner for the whole bloody county. Am I to never associate with anyone who may be involved in any inquest from now on? That’s absurd.”

“I’m trying to make a good impression in my first few months at this, North. Don’t be a dolt.”

“I didn’t realize you had loftier designs. Perhaps you’re interested in a cabinet position?”

Harry snorted. “I’m not even an MP, nor do I want to be. But if I did, what would it matter? Not all of us are heirs with our futures decided.” There was no bitterness in his tone. He’d never given any indication that he envied North. On the contrary, he’d relished being able to choose his own path. If anyone harbored jealousy, it was North.