disprove—he was involved in the two deaths. See if you can uncover the truth.”
God help him. “Are you asking me to spy on the major?”
“Pretty much.”
“Why me?”
Sheridan shrugged. “He doesn’t know you, for one thing.”
“But it wouldn’t take long for him to find out who I am. The minute I start sniffing around, asking questions of people, word will get back to him, and he’ll make it his business to learn my identity. If you’re trying to keep this secret from him, that’s not how to do it.”
“So what the devil do you suggest? Between helping with Mother’s ‘project’ and trying to get the estate affairs in order, I barely have time to breathe, much less spy on Joshua.”
“Ah, but you’d be better at the spying than I,” Grey said, “since you could disguise it as getting comfortable with the running of your estate. And the owner asking questions in town about his employees won’t seem nearly as odd as some relation of yours doing it.” He set down his empty glass. “I can help you with the estate. I can help Mother with preparing Miss Wolfe and Gwyn for a debut. As you said, I know what such things entail. So I’d be better at it, since I’ve actually been to a few coming-out events. I was very much present at Vanessa’s, for example.”
“So you’re the one responsible for your cousin’s impudent manner and sharp tongue, are you?” Sheridan asked.
“Are you responsible for Gwyn’s?”
Sheridan glared at him.
“That’s what I thought,” Grey said calmly. “The point is I don’t mind working with you on estate finances and management, and I don’t mind giving the young ladies pointers on societal expectations. I don’t even mind finding out what I can from Miss Wolfe for you, while helping her prepare for her debut. But I won’t spy on her brother. You’ll have to tackle that yourself.”
Sheridan set his shoulders. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that you help prepare Bea for her debut. You have a reputation with young women, and she’s in a vulnerable situation.”
“My reputation is precisely why I should be the one to caution the ladies. I know what men in society expect. And how they should be thwarted. Whereas you—”
“—have barely been to a ball, I know.” Sheridan blew out an exasperated breath. “You do have a point.”
“Anyway, I’m not giving you a choice. If you want my help, it’s going to be in an area where I have expertise.”
Honestly, involvement in such a project might make this visit with his family more bearable. Mother wasn’t the only one needing something to keep her mind off Maurice’s passing.
“So, are we agreed on the division of labor?” Grey asked.
A muscle worked in Sheridan’s jaw. But after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.
Then Sheridan went to refill their glasses. “We should seal our bargain with a toast.” He returned to hand Grey his glass. “You know, I begin to be glad you’ll be helping me with estate matters. Clearly, you’re a shrewd negotiator.”
“Not for nothing have I tripled my dukedom’s income in the past thirteen years.”
“Well, if you can help me do that, too, I’d be most grateful.” His brother paused to gaze out the window at the dusk graying his land. “But somehow I fear that the Armitage legacy has fallen too far for that.”
“You’d be surprised what a bit of judicious investment and wise management can do to one’s properties.”
“We’ll see.” With a forced smile, Sheridan raised his glass. “To spying!”
“And to debuts,” Grey added.
Before they could drink any, the door opened and Thorn sauntered in.
With his chestnut hair and clear blue eyes, Thorn looked more like Mother than either Grey or Sheridan. But the resemblance stopped there. Thorn was far more of a rebel than Mother had ever been.
Thorn took in the scene, then went over to pour himself a glass. “What are we drinking to?” he drawled.
Grey exchanged a glance with Sheridan and said, “To brothers.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Thorn paused. “I forgot, I’m supposed to be corralling everyone for dinner.”
“Surely that can wait long enough for you to have a glass,” Sheridan said.
“True. And I can use a drink after today.” Thorn joined them as they toasted each other. Then he tossed back his brandy in one long gulp.
“Damn it, man, pace yourself,” Sheridan said.
Grey laughed. “You probably don’t realize this, but Thorn can drink all of us under the table. Eh, Thorn?”
The man winked. “I do my best. Now, bottoms up, lads. If we