Page 62 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

“I have spent months wading through neglected paperwork and meeting with solicitors.” Merrivale paused for a half-second before stiffening his spine and thrusting out his noble chin. “Which brings me to why I am here.”

At last.

“I have had a man watching Kelston Hall,” he announced. “You have quite an industrious operation here, Miss Granger. I am unexpectedly impressed, in truth.”

A trace of grudging respect tempered his words.

Layton cocked his head.

And what was Kelston Hall to Merrivale that he would hire someone to observe the estate’s operations?

“That was your man?” Lilly cut Layton a relieved glance. “I feared he was someone more nefarious.”

Layton scowled.

Did she fear the prowler might be one of the ruffians who had abducted him?

“Lilly, you knew someone was lurking about, and you did not tell me?” Layton tempered his astonishment and ire but could not quite keep the accusation from his tone.

“I was not certain he was watching the house, nor did I know his purpose.” She shrugged. “I did not want to trouble you.”

“I have no idea what you two are blathering on about.” The viscount glanced between Layton and Lilly before pinning her with his haughtiest you-are-an-insignificant-insect glare. “But can we get back to the matter at hand?”

Merrivale was not even aware he was a pompous prick.

Regardless, fury simmered inside Layton for the disparaging way the viscount treated Lilly.

“Tread lightly, Merrivale,” Layton warned with cold calm. “We might be old acquaintances, but I insist you pay Miss Granger the respect she is due.”

“Do not work yourself into a lather, Westbrook.” Merrivale gave a dismissive flick of his hand, a sardonic smile curling his upper lip once more. “My business is with Miss Granger. I have no quarrel with you.”

Such a condescending assling.

Arms folded, Layton leveled the viscount with a steely glare. “Nor I you.”

Yet.

“Please join me for a tankard or two in Prudhoe after I am finished here,” Merrivale invited as if they were old chums. “We can catch up on old times.”

Her expression pinched, Lilly looked between the men.

Then, as if he were discussing something as banal as the weather, Merrivale turned to her. “I am doing you the courtesy of informing you that I am contesting Aunt Matilda’s will. No illegitimate children should have ever been permitted to inherit her estate.”

Ah, hell.

“What exactly are you implying, your lordship?” Lilly clasped her hands together, the knuckles white as every ounce of color drained from her face.

“I am not implying anything. I am stating facts,” Merrivale scoffed. “You are Aunt Matilda’s bastard daughter, and Charles Montrose is my father’s by-blow.”

Layton had suspected the former, but the latter left him thunderstruck.

Charles and Lilly were cousins.

Now Layton understood the late Miss Davenport’s benevolence. She had done everything in her power to protect and provide for her daughter and nephew.

The viscount raked a contemptuous glance over Lilly, but she met his haughty perusal with a direct, unflinching gaze.

Bravo, sweetheart.