The Unaffected Earl

by Suzanna Medeiros

  Rose mulled over Brantford’s statements and had to admit he had a valid point. After all, wasn’t that exactly what she’d been hoping to accomplish? To convince her father to give her information that might exonerate him? Information that might point to the real perpetrator of the crime?

  “Papa wasn’t happy that I visited him. I thought it was because he was ashamed.”

  “He should be ashamed,” Brantford said, and her hackles rose at his calm, detached tone. “He’s either a traitor or he’s somehow entangled with one. Neither of those alternatives paints him in a good light.”

  She wanted to deny it, to come up with a scathing comment that would put Brantford firmly in his place, but she couldn’t. Whatever the real story, her father had gotten himself involved in something unsavory. Something that apparently put her life in jeopardy.

  She looked down at her hands, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task she’d undertaken but unwilling to admit defeat quite yet. “I don’t know what to do.”

  When he reached across the small distance that separated their chairs and placed one hand over hers, she stilled in shock. She was wearing gloves, but he wasn’t, and to her unexpected delight, his hand was warm. The heat seemed to seep through the thin cotton covering her hands, bringing her a measure of comfort. No doubt that was all he’d intended with the action.

  “I’ll help you,” he said. “I don’t know how to convince your father to give me the information I know he’s hiding, but I’ll find a way. But you have to promise me you’ll stay away from the Tower.”

  She opened her mouth to reply, but he squeezed her hand then, silencing her. “I need you to do this for me. I can’t be effective if I’m worrying about you.”

  She lifted her eyes to his, shocked at the sincerity she saw reflected in his gaze. Lord Brantford—the Unaffected Earl—was worried for her.

  She nodded, unable to speak.

  He searched her face and must have seen she wasn’t lying. With a slight nod, he removed his hand and straightened in his chair.

  “Fine. Now, tell me what you know about events leading up to that evening.”

  She told him everything she could recall but was afraid it wasn’t much help. “Papa tried to shelter me. I know things were difficult for a little while. Mama told me she didn’t think I’d have a season. But then everything changed.”

  “Did you notice any changes in your father’s behavior?”

  She knew why he was asking the question, but she had to hold back her annoyance.

  “Honestly? No. He was worried before about our financial situation, I think.” At the questioning lift of his brow, she explained. “My father tried to shelter me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t know what was happening. Not the details, of course. But when Mama told me that we’d be going to London after all, I thought that meant our financial constraints had eased. But Papa was just as tense when we arrived in town.”

  “Did your father have any private meetings at the house?”

  Rose had to look away at the question. “I can provide you with a list of names of those who’ve spoken with him. I don’t know if it would be a complete list, but there were more than a few of whom I was aware.”

  She was embarrassed, suddenly, to admit that many, if not all, of those meetings were with men who wanted to court her.

  “Yes, I imagine there were.”

  The slight tightening of his jaw left her wondering what he was thinking. It would be pointless to ask, however. He’d only tell her what he wanted her to know.

  “What do we do now?”

  “Now we’ll return to the drawing room, and you’ll have some tea. Then tomorrow I’ll send someone to escort you to your town house. I’ve already had someone search your father’s study—”

  “What?” Rose frowned in puzzlement.

  Brantford had his mask firmly in place, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking when he replied. “As you’ve no doubt already suspected, I’ve been looking into this matter for some time, searching for evidence as to who else might be involved.”

  “For how long?”

  “Some time. Now, may I continue?”

  She nodded, her mind whirling with the implications of his admission. Brantford had been investigating her father, possibly even before her father had confessed to treason. Had he known what was happening?

  “I will send someone I trust implicitly to meet you at Overlea’s town house and escort you to your home. In the event your movements are being watched, she’ll make sure you’re safe. I’ll meet you there.”

  “But if your neighbors see you pay a call on me, when I’m home alone, they’ll think the worst.” Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized how absurd her statement was. “Never mind. I’m sure everyone already thinks the worst. I’ll never marry well now. The best I can do is to accept an offer to become someone’s mistress. No doubt men are just lining up for the opportunity to offer me carte blanche once I leave the protection of Catherine’s family.”

  She stood abruptly and turned away from him. His hand on her shoulder, no doubt meant to comfort her, only served to make her feel even more ashamed.

  “No one will see me,” he assured her.

  “Perhaps not, but that doesn’t change my situation.”

  He said nothing to that, and she forced back her embarrassment. Brantford was a man of the world. He probably had his own mistress, though her mind shied away from trying to imagine what she would look like.

  “I apologize for my outburst,” she said, turning back to face him.

  She told herself she hadn’t seen concern on his face before he nodded. He offered her his arm and escorted her back to the drawing room.

  She tried not to worry about tomorrow. She could only hope that whatever they found would exonerate her father.

  Chapter 5

  Rose wasn’t sure whom she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t the matronly woman currently waiting for her in the front hall of Catherine’s home.

  “Please come in,” she said, wondering why the butler hadn’t shown her into the drawing room.

  “There’s no need,” the stranger said. “We can speak in the carriage on the way.”

  Rose turned to Catherine, who’d joined her downstairs when the butler announced that Rose had a visitor. “It appears I’m leaving right away with…”

  “Oh, it’s Mrs. Ellen Blackwell.”

  “Very well, Mrs. Blackwell. It’s very nice to meet you.”

  “And you as well,” the older woman said, a hint of what might have been curiosity on her face. Rose couldn’t imagine what else would be behind the speculative gleam in her eye.

  “Do you need me to come with you?” Catherine asked.

  “Oh no,” Mrs. Blackwell said. “We’ll be fine, just the two of us.”

  Catherine looked to Rose for confirmation. “Are you sure?”

  Before she could reply, Mrs. Blackwell said, “Quite.”

  Rose shrugged. “Apparently I’m sure.”

  Her friend’s brows drew together, but she said nothing further. Rose told her she’d be back before too long, although she really had no idea how long today’s activity would take, and turned to follow the other woman from the house. The carriage that was waiting outside was a utilitarian vehicle, its lines plain, the color dark. Unlikely to draw attention.

  As soon as the vehicle drew away from the house, Rose could no longer hold back her questions. “You weren’t what I was expecting, Mrs. Blackwell. From the fuss Lord Brantford made about my safety, I thought he’d send a team of burly men to guard my person.”

  Mrs. Blackwell laughed. “Oh, I like you. I can see that Brantford might very well have met his match. And you needn’t be so formal. You can call me Ellen.”

  “All right, Ellen,” she said, deciding not to ask the woman what she’d meant lest she betray her unseemly interest in Brantford.

  “Go ahead and ask,” Ellen said. “I can see you’re dying to know everything about me and how I’m con
nected to Lord B.”

  Rose felt her eyes widen, wondering if her companion actually called Brantford that to his face. She couldn’t imagine it but would love to see it. “Lord B?”

  Ellen smiled. “Well, in our line of work, it doesn’t do to refer to each other by our names. Being cryptic is a habit I find myself falling into without even being aware I’m doing it.”

  Rose tilted her head to the side, wondering if she could finally get the answers she wanted. “And your line of work would be…?”

  Ellen shook her head. “If you don’t already know, I’m not going to be the one to tell you. Brantford would have my hide.”

  Rose crossed her arms and glared at the woman, but it was mainly for show. If Catherine wouldn’t tell her what she knew, she could hardly expect this stranger to reveal everything.

  “Fine. Lord Brantford can keep his secrets. I’m sure he has many, and they’re of no concern to me. All I require from him is his assistance in proving my father’s innocence.”

  Ellen didn’t reply, and Rose could feel the older woman’s eyes examining her as the silence stretched between them. It took a great deal of effort not to squirm under that gaze.

  “Brantford is quite handsome, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I… What?” Rose saw a gleam enter the other woman’s eyes at her stumble and hated the fact that she’d betrayed herself so thoroughly. “I suppose, if you like men who are cold and distant.”

  “I daresay many women do. The lure of being the one to break through his icy facade has been a temptation to many. I should warn you that, to a one, they’ve all failed.”

  Rose looked away, pretending to take in the scenery outside the carriage window. “I don’t see why I should care about any of that.”

  “I’m not here to lecture you, despite the appearance to the contrary. I just wanted to warn you that Brantford comes by his moniker honestly. If there’s a heart buried somewhere beneath his surface, he keeps it well hidden.”

  Rose’s thoughts went back to the previous morning, when Brantford’s mask had slipped in her presence, and suddenly began to doubt what she’d imagined had taken place between them. In all probability, she’d seen only what she’d wanted to see. Brantford’s concern for her well-being was likely no different than what he’d show anyone who found themselves in the same position.

  She sighed and met the other woman’s gaze. “I understand. And I thank you for the warning.”

  “You think I’m harsh.”

  “No, you’re just being honest.” She hesitated a moment before continuing, but it appeared Ellen already knew about her tendre for Brantford. Heaven knew how. Perhaps this was a warning she gave all women who came near him. The thought that she was just one of many foolish women who’d set their sights on him was more than a little depressing.

  “You appear to know him well.”

  “Quite well. And no, not in that way. Brantford is hardly likely to align himself with a woman who resembles his mother more than anything else.”

  There was something about the way Ellen Blackwell casually dismissed the statement that caught Rose’s attention. She examined the other woman closely and realized she’d missed the telltale signs that the woman was not all that she seemed.

  “You say that as though it were completely out of the question. I can see now that you’re not as old as you’re trying to appear. And the gray in your fair hair?” She leaned forward and saw the hint of light powder dotting the woman’s shoulders. “Powder, if I’m not mistaken.”

  Ellen’s mouth fell open and she collapsed back on the bench. She stared at Rose for several seconds before saying, “I underestimated you.”

  Rose couldn’t hold back her laugh, relieved that she’d guessed correctly. “The lines around your eyes and mouth?”

  “Stage makeup,” Ellen said.

  Rose nodded. “It’s very convincing. Most people wouldn’t notice, but in the country, with very little to do, my friends and I have taken to putting on performances for one another. Complete, of course, with some rather amusing attempts at disguising ourselves for our roles.”

  Ellen examined her for several seconds before speaking. “Forget what I said.”

  “Of course,” Rose said. “I won’t tell a soul. It makes sense that you would need to disguise yourself before being seen in my company.”

  Ellen gave her a sympathetic smile. “No, not that. And for the record, I would have no problem being seen in your company whatever my guise. What I meant to say was that I wanted you to ignore what I said about Brantford.”

  Now Rose was completely confused. “You haven’t told me anything. All I have is wild speculation.”

  “No,” Ellen said with a small shake of her head. “Forget what I said about all those other women. You might be just what Brantford needs.”

  It was June and uncommonly warm that day, but Rose feared that the heat that engulfed her in that moment would be accompanied by a very revealing blush.

  “Everything you said still applies.”

  “Yes, unfortunately, it does.” Ellen’s mouth turned downward.

  “So, you and he never…”

  “He’s my brother.”

  That was the last thing Rose expected to hear, but it brought her a measure of relief. Ellen was a very striking woman in her current guise. Without the makeup that made her appear as though she were past her prime, Rose expected she would be quite beautiful.

  “I don’t recall seeing you at any of the events this season, and I’ve been to more than my fair share of them.”

  “I don’t socialize very often,” Ellen said.

  Rose wanted to ask more, suddenly fascinated by the woman in front of her. The way her expression had closed off, however, told her that any further questions on the subject wouldn’t be welcome.

  “Lord Brantford hasn’t shown even the slightest hint that he returns my ill-conceived infatuation with him.” She waved a hand at the way Ellen raised one slim brow. “There’s no point in pretending. You’ve already said as much.”

  “That’s true, but most young ladies would continue to pretend indifference.”

  “I’ve always found honesty to be much better. Oh, I’ll admit that I’ve flirted with the best of them and encouraged other men in their own infatuations. It’s all a game, you see, and helps to pass the time during all those events. But I’ve always hated the way women feel as though they are in competition with one another. Such a waste.”

  “Indeed,” Ellen said, her smile widening.

  Rose could almost see the wheels turning in the other woman’s mind but decided there was no point in saying anything more on the subject. Despite what Ellen said, nothing had changed.

  She’d just have to keep reminding herself of that fact.

  Emotion assailed her when she walked into her family’s town house. Little more than a week had passed since their entire world had been turned upside down, but the house seemed so foreign now. Quiet. Sad, as though it too were in mourning for the abrupt change in their circumstances.

  When she unlocked the front door, she expected their butler or a footman to greet her but instead was met only with silence. She realized then that Brantford must have arranged to give the staff the day off. It would hardly do for them to be seen meeting in private, even with a chaperone.

  She turned to Ellen, who’d closed the door behind her. “When is Lord Brantford expected?”

  “I’m already here.”

  Awareness of his presence caused Rose’s skin to prickle, but she managed to maintain her reserve when she turned to face him. He was striding down the hall.

  “Have you had the opportunity to ransack all the rooms in the house yet?” She couldn’t hold back her irritation even though she knew it was senseless. After all, they were there to search for information her father might have concealed.

  “Not quite,” he said, his tone infuriatingly even. “I’ve only just arrived. We’ve already discreetly searched the house, but it was dif
ficult to be thorough with the staff present. The powers that be thought it a waste of time, but I managed to convince them otherwise. You should know that it took no small effort to coax your butler to leave today, and I had to personally assure him that we wouldn’t turn everything upside down. Despite what’s happened, he’s very loyal to your family.”

  Rose sighed, feeling wistful as she imagined the taciturn older man who’d always had a soft spot for her. She wondered how much longer it would be before he and the rest of the staff were lured away to other positions.

  “Mrs. Blackwell, thank you for joining us today.”

  Ellen tilted her head and smiled up at her brother. “She knows who I am.”

  He shook his head. “Of course she does. I would have thought that of all people, you would be able to resist her charms.”

  Ellen replied, but Rose didn’t hear what she’d said. Had Brantford just admitted that he found her alluring?

  She chastised herself for the hope that sparked in her heart. He was probably referring to the gaggle of men who used to seek her out. He could acknowledge that others were drawn to her but not feel any hint of attraction himself.

  She shook her head to clear it of her confusing muddle of thoughts.

  “You don’t agree?” Ellen asked.

  “I’m sorry,” Rose said. “I was thinking about something else. I didn’t hear what you suggested.”

  The other woman gave her a sympathetic smile. “Of course. I imagine it must be difficult for you to be here. We were saying that since Brantford has started searching your father’s study, he should finish there and then move on to the library. We can search the bedrooms upstairs.”

  Rose frowned. “Papa kept his important papers in his study. Do we really need to look through the bedrooms?”

  “It’s possible he would have hidden information where no one would think to look.” Brantford’s voice was uncharacteristically soft when he spoke, missing his normal detachment.