Stephen glared at him.
Marcus fumbled for words. “Well, confound it. I am quite fond of the girl, but she is too bold, too forward for my taste in a wife. And too blasted young. When I marry, which will probably be ten years or more, I want a wife who will not be jumping head first into trouble. And I certainly do not want a wife who wants to try a man’s kiss, then move on to the next one.”
Roderick frowned. “Next one?”
Stephen’s eyes flashed with worry. “Milli is high strung, but she is still an innocent. Blast it all, this is going to be more difficult than I thought.”
Marcus scoffed. “Difficult? King George, of course it’s going to be difficult! If you think we are going to have some grand party and not let the women know why, you have another thing coming.”
Roderick looked at his list. “Who else?”
Stonebridge pursed his lips. “Emily mentioned a few suitors. I may have to ask her.”
Stephen sank into the nearby sofa. “Hell’s bells. No husband for Milli until we find the man. This is getting too complicated.”
“I agree,” Marcus put in. “Why involve a husband before we know who the villain is?”
Clayton looked thoughtful. “They do have a point, Roderick.”
The duke nodded. “It might be best to lure a group of suitors to the country with the false intent of Milli looking for a husband.”
“Tell me this,” Marcus said curtly. “If the culprit shows his face, how do we discover him? How the devil do we know he will even be there? And how the blazes will we know Milli will not be in danger?”
Roderick’s eyes turned black. “We all want the best for Milli and would lay down our life for the girl. Do you forget that all the gentlemen here have worked in reconnaissance? We are the best England has to offer and we will find the murderer. Besides, I don’t think getting the word out at White’s about Milli looking for a husband will be too hard. An heiress ready to marry is something the ton longs to talk about.”
“The women will discover the ploy in less than twenty four hours,” Stephen growled.
Clayton let out a heavy breath. “True.”
Roderick scowled. “They will have to be told we are looking for a husband for Milli.” He turned a hard gaze toward Marcus and Stephen. “I think it best you talk Milli into playing the part in looking for a husband by using the ruse that we must keep Jane busy.” He cleared his throat and dropped his gaze. “To forget what has happened.”
Marcus bit back an oath. He felt for Roderick and Jane, but he wasn’t about to put Milli in danger. “But in reality, we will be looking for a murderer. Her father’s murder, to be precise.”
“Exactly,” Roderick said frowning. “I agree it’s dangerous, and I know you don’t like the plan. You probably won’t like what I have to add.”
“Go on,” Marcus said, his voice hard. “I await your grand plan, Your Grace.”
Roderick didn’t flinch. “We must have someone to play the devoted lover.” He put up a hand when he saw the shocked look on the men’s faces, including Marcus’s. “Now, now, you must see the need to push the villain into making a move. If Milli is spending time with another suitor, and it looks serious, our villain will pounce.”
Marcus scoffed. “Good luck with that. Who the devil can we trust?”
All heads turned toward him.
“WHAT?”
Stephen clapped him on the back. “You are the best man for the job. You can pay your attentions to Milli like a besotted suitor, and that will bring the villain out of his cave. It’s not as if you cannot defend yourself.”
Marcus’s eyes widened. “And what if our villain tries poison again?”
Stephen’s dark eyes twinkled. “We can find a replacement. No need to worry about that.”
Clayton laughed. “I doubt the man will try poison with you, Marcus. You are too healthy to drop dead on the spot. It would be too obvious.”
Marcus ground his teeth. Threats didn’t bother him. It was getting close to Milli that did. Being her devoted suitor was a complication in his life he didn’t need. But to find the villain, he would do anything. “Very well, I’ll do it.”
Stephen pursed his lips. “Ah, none of that . . . you know . . . stuff . . .”
Marcus scowled. “What do you take me for?”
Stephen shoved a hand into his jacket pocket. “She’s my responsibility. I won’t have you compromising her, even to find her father’s murderer.”
“Hell’s bells! She’s a child.”
“She’s a woman,” Roderick put in. “And you well know it.”
“What about Milli’s feelings?” Clayton remarked. “We cannot play with her as if she were some doll without any emotion.”
The gentlemen all frowned.
Marcus leaned against the ladder behind him. “I will be careful. I will shower a bit of attention on Milli. The gentlemen will see it. And that should do the trick.”
Stephen looked relieved. “Don’t want her hurt.”
Roderick agreed. “All of us can put in a word for Marcus. Talk will get around that he is thinking of marrying her, but there is no commitment. No true engagement. And if things go beyond that—” Roderick shrugged.
“What the devil does that mean?” Marcus snapped.
Roderick smiled. “It means if the gossip goes too far, well then, we spread the word that the situation was confused. But in the meantime, I believe our murderer will play his hand. I think it best to have everything played out in Bath. Away from London. The place is smaller, and Society is found at similar functions.
Roderick stared out the window. “The doctor seems to think it best for Jane to take the waters there too.” He turned back to the men. “She will be the host of all the festivities in Bath. It will be the perfect place.”
The gentlemen finally agreed.
But Clayton scowled. “I believe this may take more effort than we thought. Marcus can not be left alone at the party.”
“Oh, devil take it. I am not a child to be looked after, and you are not my nanny!”
Roderick shook his head. “We will make plans to be with Marcus during the waking hours, one way or another. And he will watch Milli.”
Clayton chuckled. “Thunderation. We can’t have Milli and Marcus marry. Their union would be disastrous. It would be like mixing oil and water.”
Marcus glowered. “Ha ha, very amusing. But I don’t think I need to marry at all. I have plans to travel the world, and having a wife by my side would impede my plans with Whitehall and the Home Office.”
Stephen’s face flashed with amusement. “I hear the general’s daughter has her cap set for you.”
Marcus’s face softened. “I have the highest regard for Miss Canton.”
The general had made it clear to him that if he married his daughter, then Marcus could have a position as liaison to his choice of country in the new world. Perhaps even the Americas. It was something to think about. Marcus would enjoy leaving England for a while and having an adventure. Even though he loved his family, he was not the duke, and he needed to start his own life.
“The parties in Bath will give Jane something to focus on instead of her loss,” Roderick added. “She will need to heal a bit more before then, but on other things,” he paused, “I need you all to know that she can longer bear children.”
There was a shocked silence.
Marcus didn’t know what to say. Blast it all!
Roderick heaved a sigh of regret. “Marcus, this leaves you as duke if something should happen to me.”
Marcus tried to laugh. “Have no worries. I believe you will out live us all.”
Roderick speared him with a burning gaze. “I need you to marry. Now, Marcus. We need an heir.”
The shock of Roderick’s announcement took a bit longer for Marcus to absorb than the other gentlemen.
“What about them?” Marcus’s hand went out to his brothers, who stood with mouths agape.
Roderick shook his he
ad. “I know what happened with Lady Madeleine. I know you don’t want to wed. Maybe you are thinking about a marriage of convenience sometime later. But it seems obvious you don’t want love.”
Marcus felt his anger rising. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I don’t need any more pain—”
He caught himself, catching the hurt in Roderick’s eyes. The man had lost a child not too long ago. Marcus didn’t take that lightly. It was just one more reason not to love a wife. The pain of losing anything was too much to bear. Marcus had enough of that with Lady Madeleine. He had loved her, and she had thrown it in his face. She had taught him a good lesson. Loving a woman hurt, and hell would ice over before he loved one again.
“I need you to marry,” Roderick repeated, the ache in his words hitting Marcus hard. “Jane cannot have any children. It would kill her. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Marcus could only stare at the duke.
The duke made a fist. “I have heard from the doctor this morning. There will be no more babies for us. No children!” His voice increased in volume. “No heirs! At least not for me!”
Marcus stood stock still. “I’m sorry, Roderick.”
An icy stillness settled over the room.
Roderick looked at his brothers. “It is my duty to make certain there is an heir. But I don’t want this conversation to go any further.”
The gentlemen nodded in agreement.
Roderick sank into his chair, looking defeated. “Clayton, you have Victoria. Who knows if you will have another baby. Stephen, I know you and Elizabeth have been trying to have a child, but no luck.” He stared hard at Marcus and threw up his hands. “Emily, of course, is not in line for the heir, so you are left.”
Marcus felt his stomach roll. Roderick had every right to ask him. “I see.”
“I wanted to you to know the details before you journey to Bath. Perhaps, there you will find someone to love. Or perhaps later. After we capture the villain, you will be free to marry whomever you want.”
“Love? Marry?” Marcus gave a sad laugh. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Roderick. But love is for others, not for me.” He didn’t say that Roderick’s face told him everything he didn’t want to know. Love was hard, and it hurt.
Roderick’s frown faded a bit. “It’s not as bad as you think. Love can be wonderful. I still love Jane. This setback in our lives hasn’t changed anything I feel for her. In fact, it only makes me love her more.”
“Jane is a prize among women.” Marcus turned, not wanting to see the sadness in his brother’s eyes. The man was not able to have children with the woman he loved. How horrible was that? Even adoption would not give him his heir. It was through the bloodline.
“Marcus?”
Marcus glanced over his shoulder.
“You may find that prize yourself.”
Marcus’s jaw clenched. “I will find a wife, Roderick. I will have an heir. But I will not fall in love. That, dear duke, is for my brothers, not for me.”
Clayton made a clucking sound, showing his disapproval. “A convenient marriage won’t work. Not for you. Take it from me. I’ve tried that road. It will cause you more heartache than you ever dreamed.”
“I think I know what I want and what I don’t want,” Marcus said sharply, walking toward the door.
He thought about his mother who had loved his father. Their marriage was not the best, and his poor mother had paid the price for her love. Now, she was happily married to Lord Bringston, a good man, but Marcus saw the pain in her eyes when she thought about her previous marriage. Some people married the wrong person, and some people suffered in love. Well, he was not going to be one of them. A convenient marriage was the answer now. It would be business and nothing else.
And devil take it! He didn’t have to love his wife with his whole heart and soul. And she didn’t have to love him. There could be respect and that could work.
With an oath on his lips, Marcus grabbed the door handle. He raised a mocking brow toward his brothers and Stonebridge. “I will help find Shelby’s murderer and play the part of an attentive suitor to Milli in order to draw the villain from his cave. And confound it, when that is over, I will find a lady to marry. I hope you are all very happy.”
The men said nothing, but their frowns were obvious.
It was only the duke who spoke. “I hope you are happy, Marcus. You deserve a good woman. I only hope you let her into your heart.”
Marcus cursed. Confound it. There was no room for love in a heart that had been burned to cinders.
Chapter Eleven
Milli raised her hand to knock on the library door, but before she could rap her knuckles against the wood, the door opened. Marcus stalked out of the library and banged the door closed behind him. She jumped.
He glared at her. “What?”
She lifted her chin, not wanting to get in a fight with him again. “What did you have for breakfast? Maggots? La, sir, for your information, I have not come to see you, but Roderick. So, if you would please step aside—”
She gasped as Marcus seized her arm and pulled her down the hall. “He isn’t seeing anyone.”
Milli frowned, trying to look around Marcus’s shoulders. “Is he ill?”
At that instant, Stephen, Clayton and Stonebridge marched out of the library, looking as if they were heading for the firing line.
Milli’s eyes widened. “Who died?” she asked.
Stephen strode toward her while Clayton and Stonebridge walked conveniently toward the front door.
Stephen glowered at her.
She clasped her hands tightly together, wondering what Marcus and the other men had been telling him? The two brothers towered over her, making her feel quite small.
“Is Hughmont still bothering you?” Stephen asked, his eyes giving off a dangerous look.
She glanced at Marcus whose gaze glittered with anger. Goodness, she wished she were taller. She felt like a child.
She dismissed Stephen’s question with a wave of her hand. “Hughmont? Is that what this is about?”
Marcus’s jaw went taut. “The man grabbed your arm last week and would not let go.”
“Milli?” Stephen asked sharply. “Answer my question.”
She flicked a piece of dust off her gown, as if the subject was nothing at all. Well, of all things! She certainly didn’t need Stephen calling the man out.
She gave a shrug. “It was nothing. Hughmont touched me, and Marcus thought he was hurting me. We were late for an appointment at the book shop—”
“He snatched your arm as if you were a piece of meat,” Marcus said, his voice slicing through the air like a well-honed knife.
Stephen’s lips fell into a thin line of disgust.
Alarm shot down her spine. “Did you call Hughmont out?”
Marcus let out a cynical laugh. “That peagoose?”
Milli straightened. The man did not deserve the entire Clearbrook clan after him. After all, she had made him enter that shop. “He is not a peagoose! And you just seized my arm and escorted me down the hall. So, I fail to see the difference between you and Hughmont.”
Stephen rested two gentle hands on her shoulders. “I want you to tell me if any man bothers you, do you understand? No man should be taking liberties with your person. No jerking of the arm, or any part of your body. And I am not talking about Marcus escorting you down the hall. Do I make myself clear?” His voice was calm, but there was a coldness in his gaze that gave Milli goosebumps.
She let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that Stephen was only trying to protect her. “I don’t want you to worry about Hughmont. He is in my theater group. The man wouldn’t hurt a flea.”
Stephen gave her chin a gentle tap. “I am only trying to watch out for you, Milli. But don’t be too sure about any man. You are a desirable young lady.” He bent down, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and told her he would see her later.
After he was out of earshot, Milli turned to Marcus who was still t
owering over her like some imposing general. She raised an accusing brow. “Ha, if he only knew about you.”
Marcus had the gall to smile. “It was a lesson, nothing more. Stephen would understand.”
She blushed. A lesson? That hurt more than ever. “What about Miss Canton? Does she bother you?” she said sarcastically. “I saw her grab your arm at the ball the other night. She seized your elbow as if you were the last man on earth.”
Marcus chuckled. “Jealous?”
She shot him a scornful glare. “You think too much of yourself. Anyone who would fall in love with you should have their head examined for marbles.”
Marcus lifted an amused brow. “Ah, you need your head examined then? Shall I call the doctor?”
She scowled in exasperation. “Oooooh, you are skirting the issue. What is wrong with the duke? And why were you in the library?”
Marcus sobered. “He thinks we need to keep Jane busy. Have her host a string of parties in Bath as soon as she is able.”
“Oh.” Milli’s expression softened. “That might help. She is rather down. What do you want me to do?”
His eyes slid over her.
She shivered at his intense stare.
He glanced down the hall, pulled at his cravat, then shifted his silver gaze back to her. “Perhaps you could give her a list of some gentlemen you know who would like to be invited.”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “How does Stephen feel about this? You heard him. I don’t think my guardian would be very excited about me making a list of gentlemen.”
He shrugged. “Stephen will go over the list, of course.”
Milli felt her heart crack. “Of course.” Obviously, Marcus wasn’t the least bit interested in her or he wouldn’t ask her to do this.
“Roderick doesn’t want too many people, but just enough to keep Jane busy for a few weeks or so.”
She nodded. “I see.” He didn’t care about her at all.
He lifted her chin with his finger. “But you are not to let her know why we are doing this.” He dragged his gaze from her eyes to her mouth.
She blinked in shock, feeling his tender touch all the way down to her toes.
He paused, letting his finger trail along her bottom lip. “Milli . . .”
The Mischievous Bride (The Clearbrooks) Page 12
