A Taste of Seduction

by Bronwen Evans

  There was no argument from the others.

  Evangeline felt superfluous as the men began organizing the horses and dealing with the dead.

  Hadley led her toward her mare. “Grayson will see you safely home. To your son.” He stopped for a moment, then resumed walking. “Our son. Sealey will need you.”

  He was right—her boy would need her. “Will you be all right? We can come to Hardstone.”

  He shook his head and returned to help her mount. “No. I’ll organize a quiet family funeral and then head to Henslowe Court. I want to help find Arend.”

  “Of course.” She gripped the reins in two hands. “When will I—we—see you?” This was so awkward. She really needed a chance to sit with Hadley and talk about Sealey, and about Augustus. As Hadley was now the Duke of Claymore, where would Sealey fit into his life?

  He gave the first tentative smile she’d seen tonight. “I know we have a lot to discuss, but Arend’s life could be under threat.”

  “Of course.” Hesitantly she volunteered, “I could bring Sealey down to Henslowe Court. The journals might contain more information, such as places she may have a house to hide Arend in. They might also mention more about Isobel and whether she has had any involvement in Victoria’s evil plans.”

  By then Grayson arrived on his stallion, and he had overheard the last part of their conversation. “That’s a cracking idea, Lady Evangeline. Portia and I will be traveling down; you should come with us.”

  Hadley appeared to want to say something but held back.

  “Thank you, Grayson. I would feel safer if we were all traveling together. Even though Victoria has been captured, there is still the question of Isobel.” She looked at Hadley. “Take care.”

  He merely nodded and said, “You’ll likely get to Henslowe before me. The magistrate will need to be informed about Augustus, and a small private funeral will need to be held as soon as possible. He will be buried in the family chapel at Hardstone.”

  “If you need me to be there, you only have to say.”

  “Thank you.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “No need. I’ll see you at Henslowe.”

  With that he walked away to deal with his brother. She watched him kneel beside Augustus’s body, his head bowed. He placed a hand on his brother’s chest and was still kneeling there as she and Grayson rode off down the drive.

  Chapter 14

  Fireworks were going off in his head, thoughts ricocheting so fast he couldn’t sort them. Two truths were screaming the loudest: his brother was dead, and he had a son with Evangeline.

  All his life he’d been protecting Augustus, first from their father and then from life in general. More often than not, he’d resented it. He’d resented the fact that he’d been the person shouldering the burden of the estates. A second son was supposed to be carefree, yet he’d had to take on the responsibility of the dukedom without the title or position that came with it.

  If truth be told, he’d not wanted the title. He’d seen how society had kowtowed to Maitland. All that sycophantic behavior could turn a man’s head. Would he be the same man he was today if he’d been the recipient of such lavish attention?

  Still, it hurt sometimes to hear from others how Augustus had been brilliant at running his estate, how successful the estate was, and on and on, when in fact it was Hadley who kept the estate in such good financial position. No one ever thanked him, or even really noticed him. He’d sacrificed a lot for his brother.

  But it was his brother who had made the ultimate sacrifice of all—his life. Why? Why had Augustus tried to tackle Victoria?

  His hand lay on his brother’s chest, but there was no answering heartbeat. Emotions swamped him, tears welled, and he wished he could howl, scream, rail against the world. More than anything, he wanted to kill Victoria.

  A hand landed on his shoulder. “I’ll accompany you home to corroborate your story for the magistrate,” Maitland said.

  He blinked back his tears and cleared his throat. “Thank you. Probably not a good idea for a second son to bring the heir home shot dead, with no witnesses. A duke’s word will be more than enough.”

  “I also want to be there for you. It’s not every day a man becomes a duke in such terrible circumstances.”

  “A duke,” Hadley said as he rose to his feet to fetch a horse blanket to wrap his brother in. “Life is ironic, is it not? My father must be celebrating. He always wanted me to be the heir. He tried several times to make that happen, but to no avail. Now the woman set on avenging one of Father’s deeds does the job for him.”

  Maitland sighed. “You’ll make a fine duke. You are already a duke in duty and manner; now you are one in name too. You’ll receive the recognition you deserve. Although we all know you’d never have wanted the title like this.”

  “Why didn’t he wait? I would have found a way to protect us all.”

  “He died a hero. He died protecting the ones he loved. Don’t diminish his sacrifice by berating it.”

  Hadley was awash with shame. “Why did Evangeline bring him?”

  “She was frightened. For both you and her son. This is not her fault.”

  “You’re right. It was Victoria who fired the pistol.”

  He knew why Evangeline had come. She had been right to worry about him learning he had a son. If the moon had been fuller and in its light he’d recognized himself in the boy, there was no telling what he would have done to Victoria, and Arend might stay lost to them forever.

  As he laid his brother’s body across his horse, Hadley’s heart wept for his own loss, but more for Sealey’s. The boy, his firstborn son, would never be the Duke of Claymore. Victoria had stolen not only Hadley’s first five years with his son but Sealey’s birthright. Sealey would forever bear the name of a man his mother and father hated.

  What a mess.

  “Let’s get moving. I want this over with so we can find Arend. Then I want to see that bitch hang.”

  —

  The small but distinguished funeral was held three days later. The cold autumn would help, but it was best to bury Augustus quickly.

  According to Augustus’s will, he did not wish to be placed in the family crypt with their father. Instead, he’d asked to be buried on a small island in the middle of the family’s lake at the back of the estate. It had been his hiding place. A place he’d escaped to when their father’s bullying had become too much for him to bear.

  Later that afternoon Hadley sat in the study at Hardstone, a glass of whiskey in hand, finding some peace. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to being called His Grace. The servants, who had always been more informal with him, now treated him with reverence. His life had changed.

  The door opened and a young man stepped in. His eyes opened wide when he spotted Hadley, and he stammered, “Oh—I—I’m sorry, Your Grace. I did not know you would be in here.”

  Hadley took one look at the red eyes, at the sorrow and loss etched on the man’s face, and he instinctively knew this was the man with whom Augustus had found love and contentment. He motioned with his hand. “Please, sit.”

  The man, who looked to be slightly younger than Evangeline, was evidently fearful. Hadley could see his body tremble as he sank into the chair.

  It was uncomfortable coming face-to-face with his brother’s lover. It wasn’t that he found their relationship disgusting or repulsive; Hadley knew better than anyone that the heart wants what the heart wants. It was more that he couldn’t understand finding any man sexually attractive. He studied his brother’s lover thoroughly.

  The man was of medium height and medium build, dark-haired yet angelic-looking. In fact, the word that might best describe him was “medium.” There was nothing outstanding about the man at all.

  Hadley looked closely. In truth, the young man had lovely eyes. They were the deepest green he’d ever seen on a man, and were surrounded by thick black lashes. Very feminine in nature. Right now those green eyes were bloodshot and puffy from cryin
g. Augustus’s death was causing the young man great sorrow. Hadley’s heart squeezed tight in his chest. Sorrow was such a personal thing.

  “Thank you for bringing my brother such joy and peace. He spoke of you but didn’t tell me your name.”

  “I’m known as Mr. Vickers, Your Grace.”

  “Well, Vickers. You were Augustus’s man of business?”

  The young man nodded.

  “And much more, I believe. It must be hard to hide your grief.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “There is no need to be afraid. I know everything there is to know about my brother and his romantic life.”

  His words did not alleviate Vickers’s fear; in fact, he looked about ready to jump up and flee.

  “I want you to know that there will always be a position for you here at Hardstone. I have my own man of business, of course, but he is based at my hunting lodge, Lathero, and travels with me to London as well. I will need someone here at Hardstone to oversee matters when I’m not here. The position is yours if you’d like it.”

  Vickers’s mouth gaped open, and Hadley watched him struggle to find words. At last he said, “Thank you, Your Grace. You do me a very great honor, and I gladly accept.”

  Hadley nodded. “Good. That’s sorted. I’ll be leaving for Henslowe Court, Lord Markham’s estate, first thing tomorrow morning. I expect you to keep an eye on not only the estates but also my mother and sisters. If there are any problems, please send word to Lord Markham. I shall ensure the correspondence is up to date before I leave.”

  “Very good, Your Grace. I have been in your brother’s service for two years. I am well versed on how the estate should run. If I do have any concerns, I could perhaps notify your man of business first, and therefore not bother you unless absolutely necessary.”

  Hadley studied the young man. “That is an excellent idea. Mr. Burroughs would indeed be an excellent first point of call, especially as I have some urgent business that needs addressing.”

  Vickers stood to take his leave. He hesitated when he reached the door. He quietly asked, his voice quaking, “Did he suffer?”

  “No. It was over very quickly. I promise you, as I promised my family, the perpetrator will be brought to justice. I will not rest until I see her swing at the end of a rope.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  “I shall ensure you’re kept informed. We have both lost a good man.”

  Tears began to well in Vickers’s eyes once more, and he quickly took his leave, closing the door softly behind him.

  Hadley tipped the rest of his whiskey down his throat, then poured more into his glass before standing and walking to the windows at the other end of the study. He looked out over the garden. “Here’s to you, Augustus. I shall miss you.” He raised his glass in salute to a brother he hadn’t realized he would miss so much.

  He stood there for several minutes staring across the manicured lawns, remembering all the good times he’d had with Augustus as a young boy. Though they’d been few, there had been good times, usually when their father was away.

  What did he do now? He laughed inwardly, admitting to himself he’d loved secretly running the estate, looking after the family. It had fed his ego to know he was playing a role no one knew about. As his friends said, he was the brother who should have been the duke. It made the nausea rise in his throat. All the time he’d been helping Augustus, protecting him from their father, deep down inside he’d been thinking the same thing: that it was Hadley who’d have made a better duke.

  Yet in the very way his life had ended, Augustus had proved just what a good, honorable, and brave man he was. He’d died to protect those he loved. For once Hadley hoped he could live up to the man his brother had been.

  Now that he was the Duke of Claymore, he was scared witless. When he’d been the pretend duke it didn’t matter if he failed. He was only helping. Augustus would face the music if anything fell to pieces. Now he really was responsible for everything and everyone. He finally understood how Augustus felt and why he’d needed help.

  He’d have to step into the light, and he’d be more restricted in his behavior. He’d have to start behaving like a duke.

  On a sigh he turned and was surprised to see his mother enter the study, closing the door firmly behind her.

  He moved forward quickly and pulled a chair out for her. “How are you?”

  His mother’s eyes briefly betrayed her loss before she plastered on the public face she’d been showing the staff and neighbors ever since he’d arrived home with her elder son slung over his horse.

  “As well as any mother can be when she loses her elder son and the head of the household. It’s you I’m worried about. A lot of responsibility has suddenly landed on your shoulders.”

  How could he tell his mother that he had been running the estate for years and that Augustus was simply the man with the title, a man who had chosen not to learn or to take on the responsibilities of the estate?

  “I have Mr. Vickers. He will help me work out what needs to be done. There is no need for you to worry, Mother—I’m quite capable of running the estate as well as Augustus did.”

  The least he could do for Augustus was to maintain the illusion that he had been the best duke he possibly could be.

  “You’re lucky that Augustus has such good friends. Lord Corby is downstairs waiting to see you. He came by to offer his condolences. He’s been a good friend to Augustus. A very good friend. I am sure he’ll offer you advice should you require it.”

  Hadley’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He knew why Corby was here. It would be about Claire.

  “Mother, I know exactly what sort of friend Lord Corby is to our family, and why he is here. Perhaps you could ask Clinton to show him to Aug—to my study as you leave.”

  “I’m not finished.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I know you’ve always had a way with women. You’re as handsome as your father. Thank goodness that is where the resemblance ends. Women have always sought you out for company. You should be aware that you will be inundated with women who now see a handsome duke and would love the title of duchess. Don’t let the adoration go to your head as your father did.”

  “There is no need to worry, Mother. I will never become like my father.”

  She studied him for a moment before finally nodding. “It’s just you look so much like him that I worry. When he came into the title he changed. It changed him. He wasn’t the same man I’d married.”

  She rose to leave, but he couldn’t help asking, “Is that why you loved Augustus more?”

  She didn’t pretend not to know what he was talking about. “Augustus was a gentle soul. He needed protecting from your father. You were stronger. I didn’t love Augustus more, but I worried about him more. That is why I so wished he’d marry, but he never seemed to find the right woman.”

  Hadley would never tell his mother the truth. She probably would not care, but it might alter her view of her favorite son.

  “I’ve found the right woman, so you need not worry. I plan to be wed very soon.”

  “Is it Lady Evangeline?”

  “How on earth…?”

  “She came here a few days ago to speak with Augustus. I knew there was more to it than simply passing by. She obviously wanted Augustus’s support and was worried he would not support your marriage. He hated how she broke your heart all those years ago.” The first smile he’d seen in several days lit up his mother’s still beautiful face. “Oh, to think I might finally have a grandson.”

  Hadley stiffened. “Actually, Mother, you already have a grandson.” As her smile dimmed he rushed on. “It’s a long story and one that I will fully reveal later. All I can say is that five years ago, a woman whom Father and some other men hurt years earlier decided to seek revenge on the sons because the fathers were already dead. She took Evangeline from me. Evangeline did not marry of her own free will. I did not know anything about it at t
he time, or that she was pregnant with my child. You have a grandson.”

  His mother looked stunned, but gamely she composed herself. “Well, that is a lot to take in all at once. I want to hear more, but I gather you have more pressing issues, like capturing your brother’s killer. All I know is that Lady Evangeline is a beautiful woman, and you have a son. You must invite her to stay immediately. The house is in mourning, obviously, but I want to meet my grandson.”

  “I can’t until we find Lord Labourd.”

  “You think the woman who killed Augustus has him?”

  He nodded. “That’s why I must leave tomorrow. I have unfinished business.”

  She reached out and squeezed his arm. “I would expect nothing less from you. But tell me, what is my grandson’s name?”

  “Lord Sealey Hadley Masters, Viscount Stuart.”

  “So he was accepted by Lord Stuart. Good—there should be no odious scandal. It sounds dreadfully snobbish, doesn’t it, but it’s your sisters I am concerned for. Scandal could hurt their chances of a good match.”

  He tried to hide his smile. “Mother, they are daughters of a duke, and they have very large dowries. Many sins will be overlooked.”

  “But I want the right match for them, not just someone who needs their dowry. I hope they will make a love match, not a business arrangement like my marriage.”

  “I will help you in that regard. Neither of them will ever be forced to marry anyone they don’t wish. But knowing them both, I suspect they will find their perfect matches and give you many grandchildren.”

  “Speaking of grandchildren, how do you know Sealey is yours?”

  “Apparently he looks like me.”

  “Hm. So there will be some scandal after all.” His mother stood and cupped his cheek. “You said ‘apparently.’ You have not met him yet?”

  “Not formally. He has no idea that I’m his father. I rescued him in the dead of night. The woman who killed Augustus had taken him. Augustus died a hero protecting Sealey’s mother as well as me.”