Renthwaite raised his hand slightly from the desk. "Say no more, your grace. I don't need to know the why, just the facts of the case as you know them."
Garrett let out a breath. "Thank you." He crossed his legs and leaned forward, his hands folded in his lap. "This man, Samuel Douglas, was in a local village inn somewhere near here. Possibly a coaching inn. I don't know exactly which one. I realize there are many."
"Not to worry. The men I employ for such matters as these are like dogs with a bone when I give them an assignment. They keep digging until all avenues are exhausted. Please go on." He bent over his desk to jot more notes.
"It happened quite recently. He fought with another man. Samuel had brought a woman with him the night in question. This other man saw her and wanted to… be with her himself. I don't know the name of the woman."
"Quite all right. Just tell me what you do know."
He shrugged. "There's not much else to tell, I'm afraid. Just that he was in a local inn with a woman, fought this other man over her, and ended up being killed by the other man."
Renthwaite glanced up. "It isn't much to go on. You are right about that. And I don't have to tell you how very many inns there are in the villages surrounding the city. But it isn't every day someone is killed in a inn fight, no matter how many brawls there seem to be. Fear not, we will search until we come up with either a solution or at least more information."
"I appreciate your efforts."
"Do you wish, as in the past, that we question the witnesses and give you a report? It would all be done in the strictest confidence, of course."
Garrett shook his head. "I think I would prefer it if you found the information and let me know as we go on. I would like to question possible witnesses myself."
Renthwaite raised his eyebrows. "I see." He opened his mouth and then closed it, as if he'd thought better of speaking the words. He nodded. "It shall be as you have requested, your grace."
Garrett stood and donned his hat. "You've been most helpful. I shall eagerly await word from you."
As he left the barrister's office and climbed back into his carriage, he at least had the satisfaction of having been productive. Time would tell if his efforts proved fruitful. For Sasha's sake, he hoped so.
****
No longer did she tremble. Garrett's strong arms, tight around Sasha's back and under her legs, gave her comfort. She trusted him fully. He carried her through the music room to double doors, which led to a garden. Once outside, Sasha inhaled deeply. The smell of roses always reminded her of her mother. Growing up, Sasha had helped her plant beautiful roses in red and yellow at the country house where they had worked. Every summer, they'd tend and weed them, enjoying their fragrance as they worked together in the dirt. Often, hours would go by unnoticed while they talked about this and that, dug holes, placed cuttings, and watered their leafy charges.
Sometimes even in her dreams, Sasha and her mother spent time together outdoors, creating beauty where there had once been just dirt and weeds. When she'd awaken and realize it hadn't been real, tears would be her companion for most of the day.
A pink bloom with a mottled red center brushed Sasha's shoulder as Garrett sidled sideways through a trellis of climbing vines. Sasha smiled, sniffing its fragrant scent. She peeked over Garrett's shoulder. Maryann followed, waving away a moth from her face.
This garden had roses of red and yellow, with pink and white besides. Sasha assumed Garrett had a gardener to tend to them and didn't perform the task himself. It didn't seem something a duke would do. It still didn't seem possible that a member of the nobility had been the one to rescue her from the well.
Maryann seated herself on a bench in the shade several yards away. Almost as soon as she rested, her eyelids lowered. Sasha bit her lip, holding in a smile. The poor woman couldn't seem to sit anywhere for long without napping.
Sasha's leg hurt some when Garrett lowered her to the garden bench, but not as much as before. After she was seated, she arranged her skirt, smoothing out the folds. Out of the corner of her eye, Sasha saw Garrett sit down beside her. Even a quick glimpse of him caused her heart to beat faster. What was it about him that stirred her so? Was it his handsome features? Or his status as a duke?
No, it was more than that. He was sweet and caring. Thoughtful and polite. And made her feel… cared for, and special. And the last was something she'd not often experienced. At least not from a man who wasn't family.
The sun shone brightly, its warm rays lulling her to relax. But lovely green foliage shaded Sasha's eyes. She sighed, folding her hands in her lap, content to while away the hours in such a fashion.
Garrett angled toward her on the bench. "Are you well?"
Sasha nodded. "Yes."
"I thought perhaps your leg pained you again."
She wouldn't tell him that when he carried her, it jostled her leg. "No. I'm fine." Because then he might not carry her, and she was becoming quite fond of the endeavor. "It's so beautiful here in your garden. And the sun is warm on my skin. It is wonderful."
When was the last time Sasha had enjoyed a day of beauty and rest in a rose garden? Or anywhere? With Samuel, they'd worked at every odd job they could find, just to be able to buy meager amounts of food. But she'd give up this day of peace and tranquility if it meant her brother was still with her. Yes, she'd give up everything else if it meant his return. The hurt was still so new, so raw. Would the pain in her heart ever lessen?
Had Garrett noticed her woolgathering? Or was he too polite to mention it? "I often come here in the evenings to listen to the birds right before sunset. There's something so peaceful about them settling in for the night. I can almost imagine they are putting their babies to bed."
"When I was little, a lark of some sort would serenade us from outside the window each night before bed. My mother told us it was singing us a lullaby."
"What a lovely thought. And how sweet of your mother to tell you that."
"Yes. And it did in fact help me sleep."
Garrett leaned a little closer. "So… it was you and your parents and…?"
"Samuel. Yes." She smoothed her skirt over her knees instead of meeting his gaze. "It's… just me now."
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to pry." Garrett reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before releasing it.
She shrugged. "It's all right. I suppose I will have to talk about it someday."
"But not now? Sometimes just saying the words can be helpful after a loss."
"No. I'm sorry. Not yet." She swallowed down the lump that always formed at thoughts of her brother.
"Don't apologize. I understand."
She peered up at him. "You've lost someone, too?"
Garrett nodded slowly. "My… parents. They're gone."
"It's hard, isn't it?"
He bowed his head. "Yes."
Something brushed against Sasha's skirt. She gasped. What could it be?
Garrett widened his eyes. "What happened?"
"Something…" She darted her eyes toward the ground. "It touched…"
Garrett glanced down and grinned. "Ah, so you've come to say hello, have you?"
Sasha frowned. Who was he talking to? They were alone in the garden, except for Maryann, who most certainly wouldn't be crawling around Sasha's skirts. And who would be so low to the ground? Garrett bent over. When he sat back up, he held a young black-and-white cat, with fur thick and fluffy. Long whiskers twitched as it sniffed Garrett's hand.
"Sasha, meet Douglas."
Sasha reached out and touched the feline's soft fur. "The cat has my last name as his first."
"Yes, so he does." Garrett's lips curved into a smile. "It didn't occur to me before now. Does it bother you to share your name with my cat?"
"Of course not. Although…" She glanced down at her lap.
"What?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps it would bother him."
Garrett laughed. "Well let's find out, shall we?" He angled the cat aro
und. The cat twitched its nose. "Douglas, it seems you share your name with our guest, Sasha Douglas. Does this offend your feline sensibilities?"
Man and cat studied each other. Two pair of green eyes staring across the space of a few inches. After several seconds, Douglas the cat touched his nose to Garrett's. Sasha laughed.
Garrett blinked and then grinned at her. "Ah, you have a musical laugh. Such a wonderful sound to hear."
"Thank you." She glanced away. "Although, until now, I hadn't much reason."
"Of course not." Garrett sobered. "How thoughtless of me."
She grasped her hands together in her lap. "No, it's not your fault for saying such. I just… miss my brother."
"Yes, of course." An uncomfortable silence settled between them. Garrett stroked the cat behind its ears. The cat closed his eyes and raised his lips at the corners as if he were smiling. "Would you like to hold your namesake?"
Sasha nodded. "If you think he wouldn't mind."
"I'm sure he wouldn't. He's an extremely friendly fellow indeed." He placed the cat on Sasha's lap, waiting to let go until she had him firmly in her grasp.
Sasha sighed when Douglas settled down on her skirt, turning in a tight circle before curling his paws under his body. When he purred, she giggled. "He's so loud. It sounds like a mighty roar."
"Yes, he has quite the talent for rivaling any lion in Africa."
"Oh, and does he keep correspondence with his larger relatives?"
"Of course. Why, he received a letter from one just last week."
Sasha bit her lip, trying to hold back a grin. "Did he? And what did it say?"
Garrett touched his hand to his chest. "I would never be one to read someone else's post."
She leaned closer to the cat and whispered into its ear, the wispy fur tickling her nose. "And you didn't want to share your news with Garrett? I'm sure it was quite enthralling."
Douglas let out a rumble from his chest even louder than before. Sasha eyed Garrett. "I think he's laughing at you. He said it was a secret and he would never reveal the letter's contents."
"Yes, it is such a heartbreaking affair. An ungrateful cat is what I have, even though I feed and care for him. Without me, he'd have been hunting skinny mice for his dinner."
Sasha rubbed the fur between the cat's ears. "Well, now that I'm here, maybe Douglas will divulge his secrets and tell us the vital details of a cat's life." She widened her eyes. "Oh, I didn't mean to say I thought I'd be staying here—"
Garrett angled his gaze toward the sleeping maid and then patted Sasha's hand. He blinked against the sun, which had moved above the foliage and now shone down on the bench. "Sasha, I truly hope you do stay. It would be my heart's delight."
Sasha lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile, warmed by the sun and Garrett's brief touch. As much as she'd like to believe him, he was only being polite. Wasn't he?
Her heart beat faster. If only… if only it were true. The more she was in his presence, the more she wished he could love her. As she was beginning to love him.
Chapter Five
Garrett crossed the hallway toward his study, as the front door squeaked open. He stopped in his tracks. Other than rude, intrusive Mrs. Johnsing, who would be coming into his home unannounced? Before he could reach the doorway, a man thrust the door all the way open and stepped in.
Lucien.
His brother, younger by two years, stood grinning at him. "Ah, big brother. So good to see you again."
Garrett walked toward him. As he was several inches taller than his younger brother, he bent down for the embrace offered. It was more a formality than a comfort, and Garrett was relieved the contact was brief. He straightened. "Lucien, I didn't expect you for a few weeks. According to your letter—"
"Change of plans. I decided it was time to head home." He glanced around the hallway. "Hasn't changed, I see."
"No. It hasn't. How long are you planning to stay?"
"Now, that doesn't sound at all hospitable."
"Sorry." Garrett darted a glance up the stairs. He'd hoped to have more time to deal with Sasha's unexpected arrival before Lucien made an appearance.
Lucien shrugged. "No matter. I guess I did surprise you a bit."
"Not as if you ever do what's expected."
His brother grinned and spread his arms. "But there's the beauty of it. I go where the wind takes me. I could never stay in one place for long. Frankly, I don't know how you stand it. Staying here, year after year, when nothing changes."
"It's the life I chose. Someone in this family has to be accountable and responsible."
Lucien laughed. "Well, I leave it to you, because I certainly don't want it." He glanced toward the stairway. "I'm exhausted. Think I'll head upstairs for a nap."
Oh no! What if Lucien discovered Sasha? Garrett rushed toward Lucien. "Say, are you hungry? I'm sure the cook could find you something to eat."
"Hmmm. As tempting as it sounds, I desire sleep more than food." He headed for the stairs.
Garrett was at his heels. "Surely you haven't had a proper meal for a long time."
"Why all this concern about my stomach? Usually you can't wait to be rid of me."
Garrett shrugged and forced a smile. "Oh, just thought we could catch up a bit since it's been a while between your visits."
"What's going on?" Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing." He stole a glance up the stairs.
Lucien angled that way as well. "Is something up there out of the ordinary?" He chuckled. "Don't tell me we have a ghost in the house since I was last here?"
Garrett waved his hand through the air. "Of course not. It's just…"
"Just what?"
"Can't I have missed my little brother?"
Lucien shrugged. "Guess there's a first time for everything."
Garrett grabbed Lucien's shoulder and pivoted him away from the stairs and toward the study. "The footman can bring you a tray."
"But—"
"No, I insist. You look as though you've lost weight."
Lucien wiggled his eyebrows. "It's from chasing beautiful women all over the countryside."
"Indeed." Garrett gave his brother a light shove further toward the study. He shuddered. How horrendous it would have been if Lucien had discovered Sasha.
Once Lucien was settled with food and drink, Garrett took a better look at his brother. His clothes were disheveled and the fading remnant of a black eye was now visible in the brighter light of the study. What had Lucien gotten himself into this time?
Garrett sagged into a chair opposite his brother. He pointed toward Lucien's face. "Have a new bruise, I see?"
"You know me. Always up for a good fight."
"What was it about this time?"
"The usual."
Garrett crossed his arms on the table. "A woman, no doubt." His brother and Sasha's had that in common, it seemed.
"I have my reputation to think of. Can't let people think I've gone soft."
"You're not a child any longer. Maybe it's time to grow up and take some responsibility with your life."
"And be like you?" Lucien slurped some of his wine from a goblet.
"What's wrong with being like me?"
Lucien thumped the goblet on the table. "I'd be bored out of my skull. There's nothing to do here."
"There's so much to do here that I have problems accomplishing it all."
"But those accomplishments are not what I seek." Lucien took a bite of the leftover stew on his plate.
Garrett leaned toward his brother. "Oh, I know what you seek. Women, wine, and trouble."
"Everyone has to be good at something." Lucien grinned.
Garrett shook his head. "One of these days, I may not be able to buy you out of trouble."
"I trust you. I can always count on you to do the responsible thing."
"More's the pity."
"As you mentioned before, it's the life you chose. Well, this is the life I've chosen."
The conver
sation needed to be directed away from him. "Where did your latest fight take place?"
Lucien answered around a mouthful of food. "Not far from here."
Garrett frowned. "Have you been in the area for a while, then?"
"Perhaps."
Garrett raised his voice. "Then why are you just now coming home? It's been eight months since you were last here."
After a final bite of food, Lucien dropped the fork onto the plate with a clatter. "Because of this." He pointed at his brother. "I don't appreciate your lectures."
"Someone has to do it."
"You are not my father."
"Then act like an adult."
The chair scraped on the floor as Lucien pushed away from the table, the sound bouncing off of the hardwood. He stomped from the room in a huff. Garrett took a deep breath, willing his temper to subside. His first impulse was to beat some sense into Lucien, since he didn't seem to get the message any other way. But it would just bring Garrett down to his brother's low level.
When would his brother learn? He rubbed his face with one hand. When would he grow up and stop getting in trouble chasing women… Garrett widened his eyes. He'd allowed Lucien to get under his skin to the point he'd temporarily forgotten Sasha was upstairs.
A woman's scream pierced the quiet of the large house.
****
Sasha's heart raced. The dark-haired man stood across the room, his white shirt unbuttoned. Dark chest hair was visible underneath. Who was he? And where was Garrett? She wrapped her arms around her middle, biting down on her lip to keep in another scream.
The man winked and took a step toward her. "Well now, what do we have here?" Was he so used to women screaming in his presence that he didn't even flinch?
Why is this man here? In Garrett's house? Why wasn't Garrett here to chase him away? She backed against the headboard until a sharp corner gouged her shoulder. There was nowhere for her to go. Nowhere to hide. Did he expect her to—
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