Page 72 of The Secret Sister

‘Harriet, my dearest Haryo, you can ask anything of me. I apologise for my misplaced levity. Please, tell me how I can be of service.’ He took possession of her hand and held it between his. As he had dispensed with his gloves, and so had she, the warmth and strength was, well, far too comforting. Against her better judgement, she let him hold her hand.

‘It is delicate, as it concerns a good friend, but my enquiry is well intentioned, and I know that whatever our differences, I can rely on your absolute discretion.’

‘Of course.’ He squeezed her hand.

She took a breath and plunged in. ‘Eliza Courtney’s come out was everything that she wanted it to be, but the newspapers, and now the scandal sheets, keep referring to her as the ‘mysterious Miss Courtney’. As you can imagine, she was at first merely puzzled by this, as we all were, but now it is concerning her. I said that I would see if I could find out if there was anything behind the reference, discover what it might signify, but I know if I poke my nose in, it could get blown out of proportion. I have a suspicion, but I know you are the absolute soul of discretion, and so unfathomably old you probably remember Eliza as a baby. It occurred to me you might know something that could offer comfort. I hope my suspicions are wrong, and there is a simple explanation. Possibly one you could offer.’

Granville was shocked. Oh, he hid it well, but she saw the flicker in those killing eyes, the stiffening of his muscles.

He nodded, concern etching his features. ‘What is it you suspect?’

She gave him a knowing look. ‘Well, she’s awfully young – her eldest brother is what, twenty-five years older than her, she has been shut away, treated as a governess, goes by the name of Eliza Courtney as opposed to Lady Eliza Grey…’ She shrugged eloquently.

‘You realise this is an entirely inappropriate conversation, don’t you?’

‘Of course I do,’ she said with some umbrage. ‘That’s why I brought my question to you and no-one else.’

‘Of course,’ he said faintly.

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Granville, do you recall the first Earl Grey having any affairs around the time of Eliza’s birth? I know it’s said that the countess went abroad and returned with a baby, so it’s entirely possible that Eliza was not hers.

Granville ran a thumb over the back of her hand as he thought. Eventually, he shook his head. ‘In all honesty, I do not recall any gossip that might suggest that the late Earl had any illicit relationships. In fairness, I didn’t know him awfully well, but he seemed to be a family man rather than a rake.’

Haryo sighed. ‘Appearances can be deceiving?’ she said, clutching at straws.

He stroked her hand again. ‘It is entirely possible that there is a perfectly sensible explanation for her name. Perhaps honouring a family member?’ He looked at where their hands joined, then shrugged and looked up at her. ‘Does that help?’

‘I fear Eliza suspects her father was unfaithful. That’s an awful burden for her,’ she said.

Granville gave her a pained look. ‘Poor child.’

‘If nothing else, I would hope to find something that would indicate the Earl Grey was her father. It must be terrible always wondering.’

‘My dear Haryo, might I advise caution in this? We would not want to add to Eliza’s worries by stirring up more speculation.’

‘Of course not.’ She stared at their entwined hands. Hers pale against his dark, sinewy fingers.

She took a breath and looked up at him. ‘Could you ask Aunt Bess?’

Granville groaned. ‘Haryo…’

‘Oh, come. I can hardly ask it, can I?’

‘You should not be having this conversation with me!’

Harriet laughed, and retrieving her hand, patted his face gently. He immediately recaptured her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her palm. It halted her breath and the atmosphere between them shifted. It had been warm and friendly. Now it was something else. Something else entirely.

He let her hand go, reached out to her face, and, pulling her gently towards him, tilted his head, moved slowly, giving her the chance to object. When she didn’t, he kissed her. Gently. Tenderly. He pulled back, then sipped softly at her lips. A soft moan escaped her, and he pulled back to look at her, holding her face in his hands.

‘Oh, my dearest,’ he murmured, then kissed her again, with more pressure, more insistently, and something ignited inside her. Something hot, needful, and it set up an ache deep, deep inside. She shifted closer and kissed him back with enthusiasm.

It was Granville who pulled away. His breathing was stertorous, and his hands shook as badly as hers.

‘Christ,’ he murmured, giving her a bemused look.

‘Indeed,’ Haryo whispered. ‘Might you do that again?’

His blue eyes gleamed with an intensity she didn’t really understand, but he gathered her into his arms and kissed her again. It was… magnificent. She wrapped her arms about his neck and returned the kiss with everything that she had.