Rescued by a Duke (9 page)

Sasha glanced out the window one more time. Maybe Garrett
wouldn't
be back for a while. Having a handsome man read to her wouldn't be so bad, would it? "Thank you. It would be lovely if you would read to me."

He read for nearly thirty minutes from the poetry book. Sasha didn't understand all of what he read, but the words sounded pretty and Lucien's voice was soothing. Sasha was annoyed. Why hadn't Garrett returned? Why had he brought her down here to his study if he was going to just leave?

Lucien closed the book with a snap. "That's enough poetry for now, I think. Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes. Thank you for taking the time to read it to me."

Lucien placed the book on the floor at his feet. He scooted a little closer to her and took her hand. "I always have time to spend with someone as charming as you." Leaning forward, he brushed a light kiss on the back of her hand. Something strange stirred down in her belly.

"What's going on in here?"

Sasha gasped and yanked her hand away from Lucien. Garrett stood in the doorway, his face red and his hands fisted at his sides. Why was he so angry?

Lucien stood. "Hello, brother. I was keeping Miss Douglas company while you were detained." He ambled toward the doorway. "Certainly you don't mind?"

Garrett lowered his voice until it came out as a growl. "Keep your distance from her. I'm warning you."

"I've done nothing wrong. Miss Douglas was here by herself, and I thought she might like some company, since you were too
busy
to spend time with her." He brushed past Garrett and left.

Garrett hurried toward Sasha, sitting down on the settee exactly where Lucien had been. Was the seat still warm? "Are you all right?"

Sasha frowned. "Of course. What would make you think he had harmed me? Don't you trust your own brother?"

He ran his hand down his face. "I'd rather not get into details about my brother's habits right now. And no, I don't trust him."

She shook her head. It made no sense. She hadn't always agreed with her brother and had hated the lies he'd told, but they had been all each other had had. Sasha would give anything to have him back. How sad these two brothers didn't get along.

Garrett darted a glance toward the doorway. "Where is Maryann?"

"Your brother said he told her you had no need of her this afternoon."

Garrett's face reddened. "He did, did he?" He leaned down and picked up the book from the floor. "What's this?"

"Lucien read me some poetry. It was quite lovely."

"I see." His eyebrows drew together.

What did he see? It had been quite harmless. And Garrett hadn't been there anyway.

Laying the book back down on the floor with a thump, he angled toward Sasha. "Please don't ask why, but I'd prefer you didn't spend time alone with Lucien."

"I hope you're not angry, but you had left and he offered to keep me company. I was not concerned. He did not seem as he had when I first saw him upstairs and was actually quite pleasant."

He reached for her hands. "It's not you I am upset with. Please don't ever think that. And I'm sorry I was gone so long. It couldn't be avoided. I… it was something I needed to… take care of."

Mystery surrounded Garrett's previous whereabouts. If he desired Lucien to stay away from her, why had he left them alone in the house? What could be so important? The question of where he'd been lingered on the tip of her tongue. But that wasn't appropriate, especially since he was already out of sorts and his business was none of her concern.

****

Garrett clenched his jaw. Of course Lucien had slipped in to see Sasha as soon as he'd had the chance. But Garrett's absences couldn't be helped. He'd gotten word from one of his sources about a lead on Sasha's brother's killer and he'd needed to check it out immediately.

Sadly, it had proved a dead end. Garrett wasn't giving up, though. On the contrary, he was more determined than ever to do this for Sasha. Maybe it would give her some peace. And maybe Garrett might acquire a little of it, too, if he could help her get some closure for her brother's death.

He needed more detailed information about where Samuel had been that last day and whom he'd been with. Sasha was the logical one to ask, but she was reticent to talk about her brother, the pain still raw. That left using Garrett's well-paid sources to dig up more information. Plus, Sasha had gotten her information from someone who hadn't actually been a witness, so there were details she would not be privy to.

He sighed. Why had Lucien picked now, of all times, to arrive early? Garrett would have to keep a close eye on him around Sasha. He'd originally thought to place her somewhere safe, with a trusted tenant, but had changed his mind. Word always got out about such things. How would Garrett have explained to someone why he had a young, beautiful woman staying at his home in the first place? And without a chaperone?

He ran his hand through his hair. There was no way he could stay with Sasha all the time. And maids might not always be counted on to chaperone her properly. Lucien had a way of charming the staff. Especially the women. He'd always had that ability. Unfortunately.

When new information came in from Garrett's sources, he needed to check it out right away. Otherwise, a good trail might get cold. He couldn't afford to take the chance. And as important as it was to him to discover the identity of the killer, Garrett didn't want to leave the interviewing of possible witnesses to someone else. Especially since the police apparently hadn't been able to find the killer yet, either. Would Sasha take to heart his admonition to not spend time alone with Lucien? Hopefully Garrett would find out soon who had taken Samuel's life.

Knock. Knock
. He glanced up at the doorway.

"You wanted to see me?" Lucien leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed.

"Yes. Come in." His brother ambled through the doorway, appearing not to have a care in the world. What would such an experience be like?

Lucien crossed the room and sank down on the settee. He drummed his fingers on the armrest and sighed. "All right. I'm here. What do you want?"

Garrett clenched his teeth . Why did it seem as if he were dealing with a spoiled child when he talked to his brother? "Since you have gotten straight to the point, so shall I."

Lucien waved a hand in the air. "Let's have it."

He leaned forward in his chair, planting his elbows on the desktop. Clasping his hands together, he stared straight at his brother. "Lucien, I didn't appreciate what I walked in on with you and Miss Douglas. Both in the bedroom, and in here."

Lucien shrugged. "So?"

"So, I don't want to see it again."

"Then don't look." Lucien smirked.

Garrett frowned. "Don't be insolent."

"Insolence is more fun than being serious. Maybe you should try breaking free of your straight and narrow mold sometime."

"Just stay away from her."

Lucien leaned forward. "What's going on with her and you, anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why is she here? And why are you so protective of her?"

Garrett took a deep breath. Why couldn't his brother just listen to him for once? "It's none of your concern."

"If I'm not to be alone with her, I at least deserve to know why."

"You deserve nothing."

Lucien raised his eyebrows. "Well, that's rude."

"Sometimes rudeness is what it takes with you. I know you're an intelligent man, but you lack common sense and decency."

Lucien spread his hands. "Where's the fun in decency? It won't get you anywhere with the fairer sex."

Garrett raised his voice. "Miss Douglas is not one of the women you
cavort
with."

"Cavort? Sounds intriguing. I'll have to try it sometime. How's it done, exactly?"

"Stop it." He pounded his fist on the desk. Flesh and bone cracked against the wood, sounding as if he'd shot a gun. "I'm tired of your games and quips. Life isn't all fun."

"Life isn't all seriousness and gloom. Maybe you need to ease up."

"Just do as I said. Leave Miss Douglas alone."

Lucien rose from the settee, grinned, and sidled toward the door. "We'll see, big brother. We'll see."

Lucien walked out into the entryway. The front door opened and shut. Garrett sighed and relaxed a little. Maybe Lucien would be gone for a while. Then they could both cool off. And he wouldn't be around Sasha.

He shook his head. It was a fine line to walk with Lucien. Garrett had to admonish his brother and warn him away from Sasha, but doing so was like tempting a dog with a meaty bone. The more Garrett told Lucien to stay away, the more he wanted to stick around.

Chapter Seven

Maryann brought lemonade outside for Sasha and Garrett. The maid smiled as she pivoted back toward the bench where she had been sitting. Sasha's heart gladdened for the other woman's good spirits. What was the cause? Did it please her to see Garrett spending time with his houseguest? It certainly pleased Sasha. The warmth encompassing her person whenever the man was near mystified her. Still… it was a mystery that deserved further exploration. If only they were not of such different stations… She sighed.

Garrett lowered his eyebrows to a frown. "Do you not like your lemonade?"

Sasha's face heated. Must she always give him the impression that something was not to her liking? The last thing she wanted was to upset him or have him think her ungrateful. "No, it's delightful." She peered around the small area. The swing they sat on and a few comfortable-looking benches made the garden homey. Why, it in itself was nicer than any home she'd ever had! She and Garrett came from such different lives. "It is so peaceful here."

He gazed past the enclosure's pillars toward the front lawn. "Yes, it is. Although…"

She angled her head toward him. "What?"

"Sometimes it is lonely."

"I cannot imagine why someone such as you would ever be alone if you chose not to be." Questions perched just inside her lips. Why was Garrett unmarried? And not have children to fill the large house?

He shrugged. "I have never found… that is to say, I have never met someone whom I wanted to…" The thought dangled between them, like a dry autumn leaf swinging from a branch, preparing to fall to the ground.

Did he speak of never having met someone to fill his heart with love? Was her heart not the same?

A loud snore caught Sasha's attention. She giggled. Maryann was napping. Again. Sasha's breath hitched. Garrett's hand had closed over hers on the swing between them. Would his long fingers be gentle when making love to the woman of his heart? She bit her lip. Such a thought! Where had those images come from? He was simply holding her hand. Why would she think of them pressed close together, his lips touching hers, his hands caressing…

"Woolgathering, are we?"

Sasha glanced down at her lap, unable to meet his gaze. Would he be able to guess her thoughts if he stared into her eyes? What would he think if he knew? Surely only a wanton woman had such ideas. "Ah, yes, I suppose I am, at that."

He chuckled. "You're allowed. You have been through much these past weeks."

Not wanting to remember losing her brother, or being trapped in the well, Sasha wanted to think of something else. Anything else. "I suppose everyone is entitled from time to time."

"Yes." He opened his mouth again, and then closed it. What had he been about to say?

A rattling of carriage wheels and horses' hooves on the lane startled her. How might it look to an outsider, with them sitting on the swing together? Holding hands! Pulling her hand from beneath his, she placed it on her lap. Was her face red? She took a deep breath.
Stay calm, Sasha.

Garrett squinted at the carriage and then groaned.

Sasha lowered her voice. "What's the matter?" Was it someone he knew but did not wish to entertain?

"It's Lord Phillbush. He's a buffoon." He darted a glance back toward Sasha. "And he's actively seeking a
wife
." He raised one eyebrow and returned his gaze to their visitor.

Sasha widened her eyes. A buffoon? Seeking a wife? No. Not appealing at all! And here she was, unmarried and possibly in need of someone to support her once she left Garrett's home. But she didn't want just
some
man. Garrett. And only Garrett. But that was unlikely. She gulped down air, clasped her hands together in her lap, and forced a pleasant expression. Perhaps Lord Phillbush wouldn't stay long, and then she and Garrett could continue their pleasant conversation.
And hand holding
.

The short, overweight lord tripped as he waddled up the steps to the enclosure. "Good day! Good day!" His voice was like a wounded cow's mournful moo. She sputtered, part laugh and part gasp, and bit down hard on her lower lip.

Briefly removing his hat, Lord Phillbush fanned his face and grinned at Sasha. "Good afternoon, miss. What a pleasant surprise."